H&R Block At Home Deluxe 2009 (Box Set, Download)

I've been a user since TaxCut first came out. Up until now I thought it was a fine product, with increasing functionality and ease of use. But I recently discovered that if you have your tax return data password-protected (highly recommended -- you never know when you're going to get hacked, virus'ed, lose your laptop or whatever), that the password is there in your data file in CLEAR TEXT. All someone needs to do to open your TaxCut/AtHome return is to browse your data file with NotePad or similar simple browser program and search for "psswd=". Voila. There's your password just a clear as you'd like. Now they can open your return. (FYI: your data file can be found by doing a file search in Windows and search for the name of your return followed by ".Txx", where xx=09 for 2009 for instance). I reported this problem to them on April 10 via their chat system. It seemed like news to them, but I find it hard to believe they didn't know this, that they never actually looked at their own data file format. So, I say steer away from this product. What else didn't they test, or didn't care about security-wise? This is incredibly unprofessional. Shame on their programmers.

WARNING: Don't buy HR Block software if you want to e-file your state return. I paid for a state/federal combo program, but when I went to fill out the State (MN) return, I was told I could not e-file because HR Block could not process a simple form to verify the Long Term Care Insurance credit. But no warning before I paid my money.

On advice of friends, I omitted this credit from my State return so I could e-file (then I could file a short Amended return by paper). But when I went to e-file my Minnesota return, HR Block software said I could not e-file until my Federal Return (previously e-filed) was accepted. Will my Federal Return be accepted before the midnight deadline for State filing? HR Block says it could take 24 - 48 hours.

Why no warning before you elect to e-file your Federal return separately from your State Return?

HR Block really ripped me off. Maybe they all do this. I will find out next year when I try a different brand of tax software.

This program has been a lemon from the outset and I cannot recommend it. I have used TaxCut (the predecessor to this program) for years with great success. However, this program was a problem from the get-go. It would not properly install, and I needed to do a workaround just to get it to work, which was to install it on a secondary drive. I was then able to do my Federal return with no problem. However, upon moving on to my State return, I was unable to access the INCLUDED State program. It sent me in an endless loop of 1) requiring me to confirm via software that I am running the most current version, then 2) the software verified that I am running the most current version, then 3) when I would go to try to use the State program again, it would go back to step 1), and require that I perform an online check that I am running the most current version (which I am). Customer service has been completely inadequate. I first called and spent almost an hour with someone who kept having me delete the program and re-installing it, with the same result. I was advised that the issue would be forwarded to a "specialist," and when I was called back, it was from someone else, who was unaware of the issue, and wanted me to delete the program again and re-install it. I was advised again that another specialist would call back, but I have not heard back yet (it has been two days). The program itself has been buggy, and I have been unable to view "help" or "instruction" windows, and it crashes on occasion. I would not recommend this program -- at least not this year's version, as the past years have been fine. I am running a Mac with OS 10.6.2. I will very likely be requesting a refund or at least a partial refund.