After years of buying the software version of TurboTax Deluxe—originally on CD but last year as an Amazon.com download—this year I made the mistake of using TurboTax Online. I'll never make that mistake again.
TurboTax Online sucks you in with the promise of a Free Edition. Of course, if you have any investments, you will eventually be told that you cannot complete your taxes using the Free Edition. You are then given the option of buying the Deluxe Edition or the Premier Edition, both for a much higher price than you can buy the same editions from Amazon.com.
It gets worse. After you have spent several hours doing your taxes, and are almost done, you are told that you must pay an extra $40 to complete your state tax forms. By contrast, if you buy from Amazon.com, state taxes are included with TurboTax.
Here's the cost comparison:
TurboTax Deluxe Online + State: $90
TurboTax Deluxe download from Amazon + State: $30
TurboTax Premier Online + State: $90
TurboTax Premier download from Amazon + State: $40
TurboTax Premier Online is more than DOUBLE the cost of the same software from Amazon.com. TurboTax Deluxe Online is TRIPLE the cost of the same software from Amazon!
The lesson: Never, ever use TurboTax Online!
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I normally buy the download as well, but this year I bought the DVDROM from Amazon instead of download... With the DVD version, at least, there is an additional $19.95 fee to e-file a state with them, which may or may by included in the online or download versions. I believe it still remains less expensive that the online version.
ReplyDeleteThe real value to me - with downloads or media - is that my personal data never leaves my own computer and that I retain permanent access to the software used to create my return.