Tax Preparation Software Reviewed

Tax season and getting taxes done properly is one of the most stressful times of year. Whether you file simple taxes or more complicated taxes with deductions owning your own small business, the following tax preparation companies can help everyone get their taxes filed accurately and on time.

TurboTax

TurboTax is a well known tax preparation software package owned by Intuit. For over 25 years, TurboTax has been ranked as the #1 best selling tax preparation software. They offer many different software packages for everyone that needs to keep track of and file their taxes.

TurboTax Products and Prices

TurboTax makes it easy to find which of their tax preparation software products are right for you. Their website includes tax software that will work for the following situations:

• Single
• Have children and or dependents
• Own a home
• Sold stocks or bonds or own rental property
• Own a business or are a sole proprietor
• Corporate / Partnerships

TurboTax offers the following tax preparation software packages:

• Basic is recommended for those that would like step-by-step guidance. This includes 5 federal e-files, but state forms are an additional cost. The price is $29.99.
• Deluxe is recommended for maximizing your deductions. This package includes 5 federal e-files and 1 state download for a price of $59.99.
• Premier is recommended for those that also have investments and rental property. This package includes 5 federal e-files and 1 state download for a price of $89.99.
• Home and Business tax software is recommended for personal business owners and self employed. This package also includes 5 federal e-files and 1 state download for a price of $99.99.

All four tax preparation software includes the following features:

• 100% accurate calculations and a maximum refund guarantee.
• Easy prep, print and e-file.
• Will walk you through the tax return and double checks your answers as you go along.
• The ability to transfer financial data like W2 forms, investment and mortgage information and import from Quicken and QuickBooks.
• Guides you through the latest tax laws and health care laws.
• The ability to import last year’s tax data from Turbo Tax and other tax preparation software.
• Help if you should get audited. Customers will get free one-on-one audit guidance.

The Premier and Home and Business tax software packages include many more features like:

• Answers to your tax questions by phone from CPAs and EAs.
• Retirement tax help with their IRA tool.
• Designed for the self-employed and small businesses, including independent contractors, consultants and freelancers with their Home and Business software.
• Extra coaching to maximize small business and self-employment tax deductions, such as home office, vehicle, phone and supplies is included in their Home and Business package.

H&R Block

H&R Block was founded in 1955 and continues today to be one of the most well known tax preparation companies. In addition to their website, they also have hundreds of local tax preparation offices around the United States, including tax offices on 100 U.S. military bases around the world.

H&R Block Tax Services

H&R Block offers several ways for customers to file their taxes:

• File online: They offer different tax preparation packages to file online, free, Basic, Deluxe and Premium.
• File in one of their offices: Customers will be able to work with their tax pros, and they guarantee the work of all of their tax professionals.
• Download software: H&R Block has several tax preparation software packages available.

H&R Block Tax Preparation Software

H&R Block offers four tax prep software packages and will help customers find out which package is best for their financial situation. Their tax prep software includes the following, and customers can choose between Mac or Windows operating systems.

• Basic is best for simple tax solutions at a cost of $29.95.
• Deluxe is recommended for homeowners or investors for $54.95.
• Premium is best for tax payers that are self employed and or own rental property for $74.95.
• Premium and Business tax software is best for small business owners at a price of $89.95.

H&R Block Tax Software Features

All of the above H&R Block tax preparation software packages include the following:

• A Maximum refund guarantee
• 5 federal e-files free of charge
• Free unlimited advice from a tax expert
• 100% accuracy guaranteed
• Data security

Their Deluxe and Premium and Business software packages offer many more features that include:

• Maximize mortgage and real estate deductions.
• The option to automatically value and optimize your charitable donations.
• Assistance on investment income and stock options.
• Maximize deductions for self-employment income (Schedule C), which is very helpful for those that work for themselves or are freelancers.
• Guidance for rental property income and expenses (Schedule E).
• Corporate, S corporation, partnership and LLC, estate and trust, non-profit tax returns.

H&R Block Coupons

• 20% off of online filing at H&R Block
• 10% Off Taxes Online at H&R Block

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA does not offer tax software to download; all of their tax preparation software is online. They have three different options on their website with great prices.

FreeTaxUSA Online Tax Preparation

FreeTaxUSA website can seem confusing with their tax preparation options. At this time, they are offering for free the following three tax prep options:

• Simple is easy enough for first time filers that include step-by-step guidance.
• Basic is best for home owners, HSA contributions and Earned Income Credits.
• Advanced is best for those with investments, own a small business or with a K-1 income.

They also show the following two main online tax preparation options:

• Free Edition that offers free federal tax preparation including e-file service, printing of tax returns, federal tax extension service if needed and online backup of completed tax returns.
• Deluxe Edition costs $6.99, and offers the above options plus amended tax returns, priority customer support, live chat and audit assistance.

The above options are for federal tax filings, state tax filings cost an additional $12.95 for both options. FreeTaxUSA also offers the ability to file or amend previous year tax returns.

FreeTaxUSA Coupons

• Save 50% off on Deluxe Service for Just $2.97 at FreeTaxUSA
• Current Promotions at FreeTaxUSA
• 10% Off Off Order at FreeTaxUSA