Tax Software Update

I just stumbled across an article relevant to my "BSD Friendly Tax Software" post. Apparently TurboTax has more problems than a poor interface. slowness, and incompatibility. It seems it also allows users to look at other customer's returns. This is obviously a huge security concern and creates a threat of identity theft. For more information look at the nbc4.com article here.

BSD Friendly Tax Software

Tax time is approaching it's frantic last minute rush.  Over the last few years more companies have been offering there software online.  This is a great change for BSD users who are usually neglected when it comes to software compatibility.  Most of the web based services run in-browser making the OS irrelevant allowing users of superior operating systems to avoid the long waits at the post office and tax preparation offices.  Here is a quick overview of some of the more popular web based tax preparation software.

My first look into tax preparation was very disappointing.  TurboTax, one of the senior and most known pieces of tax software, complained about my operating system as most of these services do.  Unlike the others though, it does not have an option to continue anyways.  Why TurboTax does not allow me to continue at my own risk is incomprehensible.  A large portion of potential users has been lost.   I immediately dismissed this service due to it's frustrating lack of support.  For those who may be able to use the software via Wine or some other similar method the only other guidance that I can give on this software is that if simple W2 forms are all that are being submitted it is free to use.  If you require some of the extra features such as 1099 forms it is more expensive than some of the following options.

Next was TaxCut.  TaxCut partnered with H&R Block a few years ago.  Like most of these services Taxcut also complained about my operating system, but allowed me to continue.  Despite, it's complaint there were no problems preparing my taxes.  TaxCut is cheaper than TurboTax when it comes to the "Premium" versions, but for basic W2 filling, TurboTax and TaxAct are free.  TaxCut is a little slow to load it's pages, but it's tolerable.  Most fields in the forms have links to in depth explanations on what the options mean.  There is also an option to submit questions to a "tax professional" if further assistance is needed.

My final review is of TaxAct.  TaxAct is also free for the basic version, but it costs $9.95 for the "Deluxe" version. This is still cheap compared to TaxCut. It was good not to see a warning of my incompatible OS. After creating a user account TaxAct went right to buisness. TaxAct is the slowest of the three tax preparation options reviewed. It is slow to load it's pages and the interface is long and slow by design. Where TaxCut asks for several pieces of information per form, TaxAct only gathers three or four at a time. There is a relatively short timeout in TaxAct. Somewhere around ten minutes in my estimation. This is good for security, but a little annoying if you need a restroom or snack break during your taxes. Another weak point of TaxAct is it's little amount of assistance. Other than the aforementioned the other features are similar to it's competitors.

Overall I feel that the best piece of software is TaxCut due to it's interface, assistance, and compatibility. If value is what your looking for and you have a little patience TaxAct is not too far behind.