March 2007
Head-to-head: TaxCut vs. TurboTax
TaxCut and TurboTax worked equally well for simple tax filing. TaxCut is less expensive, though we preferred some of the convenience
features of TurboTax. With both, the online products are less expensive than CDs and downloads, and include e-filing costs.
| TurboTax | TaxCut | |
|---|---|---|
| Product and price | Deluxe Deduction Maximizer Federal + State $45 | Premium Federal + State $30 |
| Convenience features | Imports data from employers, investment firms, and banks. Automatic update option. Very easy data entry. | More sophisticated search engine. Electronic memo pad, "shoe box" for determining where to put document data. |
| Layout and organization | White and primary colors, large "refund counter," deduction counter. Needs fewer "clicks" to move around program. | Muted colors, less-cluttered screen easier on the eyes. Fewer informational links than TurboTax. |
| Explanations and advice | Lots of links to generally reasonable and understandable advice and explanations. Some customized planning advice. | Q&A on side of interview screen helpful. Usually understandable explanations and reasonable advice. "Customized" tax planning is somewhat generic. |
| Accuracy | Best when used with simple tax forms. Calculations were accurate, but some data did not import to the proper forms. Did not cover all situations. | Best when used with simple tax forms. Calculations were accurate, but not all situations covered. Prompts did not always lead to proper data input. |
| Included tax-prep programs | ItsDeductible covers charitable deductions only. Entering and managing data is very easy. | DeductionPro covers charitable contributions, medical expenses, and other deductions. Good handling of travel miles. Separate disk for this program. |
