Entered CNET Catalog: 01/08/2003
SKU: 101660002
Manufacturer: H&R Block
Manufacturer description
TaxCut Deluxe 2002 offers one free State program and one free electronic filing after mail-in rebates. Plus, it offers free H&R Block Financial Planners and a new 9-Year Tax Preview planning feature so you can maximize your tax savings and plan for the future. Quickly and seamlessly import your tax and financial data from Microsoft Money, Quicken or TurboTax federal return. Enjoy quick and easy answers to investment questions and keep informed on the latest tax changes from the Tax Law Assistant.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 01/08/2003
Like TurboTax--but unlike TaxAct--TaxCut comes in versions for both Windows and the Mac. But Mac users must pay an extra $10 to get TaxCut's Platinum edition since there's no Deluxe version for the Mac. That wouldn't be such a problem, except that TurboTax Deluxe is Mac ready.
 The Take Me To navigator shows you what you've started, finished, and need to complete. |
TaxCut's navigator hasn't changed much either, and that doesn't bother us one bit. We still like the way that this navigator--which pops up when you click the Take Me To button at the top right of every screen--graphically displays which parts of the return you've finished, which sections you've started, and where you are in the process. You can easily jump to any part of the return.
In one area, however, TaxCut could use some improvement. The program's language seems confusing when compared to that of TurboTax. In the Capital Gains/Losses section, for example, TaxCut proclaims "In this topic, we look at your capital gains and losses." Not exactly informative, is it? We like TurboTax's straightforward, clearer approach: "Did you sell any stocks, bonds, or mutual funds during 2002?" Looking for a lot of new tools in your tax app? You'll need to steer for the higher-priced TaxCut Platinum, which costs $10 more than Deluxe after rebate. In terms of new features, TaxCut Deluxe sports only a retirement-savings planner and a home-office assistant. Platinum, by contrast, boasts a slew of new assistants, including a depreciation helper and a slick, Web-based portfolio manager.
However, Deluxe still lets you save time and avoid mistakes in the W-2 part of the program by importing income data directly from the payroll firm that your employer uses--assuming TaxCut supports that firm. To find out, enter your Employer ID from your paper W-2 when prompted to do so in the program's onscreen Q&A. If your W-2 is available, TaxCut will download it. TaxCut lists only 4 participating payroll companies on its Web site--Alliance Capital, Fidelity Investments, GainsKeeper, and H&R Block Financial Advisors. TurboTax, on the other hand works with more than 50 firms.
 You can import numbers from Money or Quicken for speedier starts. |
Unless you spring for Platinum, though, you can't import financial data from your broker. That's a shame and will push many investors to spend the extra $10 on Platinum. In fact, if you're going to go with TaxCut, we have to recommend Platinum to everyone who has investments beyond a simple 401(k) plan through work. It took us about three hours to wrap up our test return, which is a tad too long for our taste. However, we were using Deluxe--not the pricier Platinum--and therefore had to struggle through investment sections without assistance. Your mileage, naturally, may vary.
 The Entry Manager lets you mark entries as tentative. |
Our pricing benchmark always includes preparing one federal and one state return and e-filing both. Do that with TaxCut Deluxe, you'll fork over $29.90 after the irritating mail-in rebates. That's cheaper than TaxAct's cumulative $31 price. What's more, this price includes printing or filing returns from as many computers as you need. TurboTax now forces you to pay for each filed return. TaxCut's smart, thorough, built-in tax and program help uses the same mix of IRS publications, tax tips, and video clips as TurboTax does. The interview window already lists the most common questions on the right and lets you open them with a single click--slick.
 TaxCut constantly displays common help topics at the right of the Q&A window. |
If you want to pay for more for help, you can get it. TaxCut returns this year with Ask a Tax Advisor, a service that takes you online and lets you query an H&R Block expert via e-mail or phone--last year's real-time-chat option has been dropped. The cost: $19.95 per question. Fortunately, TaxCut is straightforward enough that you may never need to call for help.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
5/10
Problem with Colorado form
Pros: Federal product was fine. No problems.
Cons: I think there is a problem with the COLORADO Form 104. In the pension/Social Security calculation (Lines 7 & 8)when husband has pension and Social Security and spouse has only Social Security. Program allocates all S.S. to husband and won't allow S.S
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User Rating: 5/10
Flexibility
Pros: Does the job
Cons: Trouble finding previous pages, modifying and printing. finall ygot TurboTax and sailed right through my taxes
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User Rating: 
4/10
Defective - enforces same last name for filers & dependents
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Updating first-filer's last name changes first-dependent's last name to same. Changing dependent's last name changes first-filer last name. "Override" of dependent's last name prevents electronic filing, therefore the only way to electronic file is to use incorrect last names.
User Rating: 
7/10
Overall good software...
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Requires some double entries, particularly on some state (AZ) forms. Much better than TurboTax personal editions. Leaves you alone without all the interruptions to "see more..." or asking over and over "do you want to enable?"
User Rating: 
6/10
Mediocre, but generally effective.
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Screen errors appear when using the Large Fonts (120dpi) display setting in Windows. Tough to handle topics not covered in the canned interview process. Lousy final report & background filing info printouts. Total miss of property tax refund section in MN state return. Needs a lot of cleanup in many details.
User Rating: 
3/10
Somewhat easier than doing it by hand.
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I have used TurboTax for the past few years, mostly because it is easier to correct things when using a computer than when doing it by hand. This year, because of the activation policy, I tried TaxCut. It has most of the problems and annoyances that TurboTax does, with a few additional bugs. Note: I have done my own taxes by hand for years, which is a good thing, since neither tax program can be trusted not to completely misinterpret something. I use tax programs as a specialized spreadsheet, and check the entries on the forms *frequently*. (The forms and IRS manuals are almost always clearer than the software.) I also don't trust computers enought to E-file, so I am not bothered by any E-filing problems. Major bugs: 1. It crashes. In the 3 days I used it, it crashed at least 4 times. Autosave is your friend.... 2. It wouldn't import my TurboTax file from last year. It kept looking for a .t01 file. I gave up and re-entered things by hand. 3. It got wrong numbers. It mysteriously added ~$2000 to the US-tax-exempt, but state-taxable income. I had to override it by hand. Attempts to find out where the number came from (by clicking on the entry) gave bogus results. (Hint to H&R Block: Sched. B, line 1 *doesn't* contain tax-exempt interest.) 4. When I printed out my return, it failed to include a worksheet that it referenced on the form (2441.) Annoying problems: 5. It complained about my not filling out the home depreciation part of the 8829 (home- office deduction.) You're not required to, and I don't want to deal with the paperwork. Fortunately, it doesn't prevent you from printing out the forms. 6. It only allows 15 chars. for my children's last names, which is 3 chars. too little. TurboTax finds room, why not TaxCut? 7. It doesn't handle non-deductible IRA contributions well. You have to grope around to find the worksheets to put them in. 8. It was amazingly slow. Changing screens takes 30-60 secs. on my computer. Granted, it's not Dell's fastest box for 2003, but TurboTax 2001 ran OK. 9. You can't tell whether it has taken your mouse click. I click on a button, and then nothing happens for 30-60 seconds. If it turns out it didn't get the click, I get to click again. If it got the click, and I click again, it merrily assumes I wanted to click the button that is more or less in the same spot on the next screen (click-ahead?) 10. It claims to include IRS publications. It doesn't. It just looks them up on a website. I find it easier to look up the publication on the IRS website. Problems it shares with TurboTax. 1. Overriding an entry doesn't affect the entries that depend on it. If line 3 is the sum of 1 and 2, and you override 1, line 3 will not be changed to remain the sum of lines 1 and 2. This makes overriding mostly useless. Other annoyances: 1. I can't get the TaxCut or H&R Block website to work with my Browser. E-mail to postmaster@taxcut.com elicits no reply, and they don't list any E-mail address or telephone number. Features I never tried: 1. Estimated taxes. I could never get this to work right with TurboTax, especially since we need to revise our estimates quarterly. I believe it's probably faster for me to do this by hand.
User Rating: 
9/10
It beat paying somebody to do it.
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I've been using TaxCut for the past 4 years. Never had a problem. For some reason, this year's version gave me fits when I tried to prepare my Washington, Dc return. It would not let me update the DC software. Since I could not download the latest verson, it would not let me prepare my DC State Return. 2 tech support phone calls and a 48 minute download from TaxCut's ftp site and I got the state version up and running. Customer support was excellent. I'll use it next year, especally since Turbo Tax has gone to a product activation scheme.
User Rating: 6/10
YOU MUST INSTALL WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 1!!!!
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FOR THIS PROGRAM TO RUN IN XP YOU NEED TO INSTALL SERVICE PACK 1--OTHERWISE CRASH-CITY! Having used turbotax and an old version of TaxCut two years ago, I returned to TaxCut because of recommendations from major magazines/CNET. As many of the customers below, I had problems initially with the help portions of the program. Using these would cause the program to immediately crash. The solution, I would find, would be to install service pack 1 for XP. Once this was done the program worked smoothly, and the stability was stellar. I am VERY miffed at the TaxCut folks for not including this tidbit in their 'minimal requirements' to run the program and finding this out is not so easy using their website. For me, this was a major problem--without this you cannot look up other federal forms, instructions, or any of the help information, effectively rendering the 'deluxe' version 'less than basic.' Additionally, I had to update both federal and state tax programs with some gargantuan files over the net. I did it at work because at home on a 56K modem it would have taken hours. I had some difficulty with atypical W2 forms used by employer but this problem was easily surmountable. As to general use, it was similar to my Turbotax experience last year. Less painful than doing it by hand but still cumbersome. E-filing was a breeze. All-in-all, once the crashing issue was resolved the program was emminently usable. As with all such programs, you still need to print the return and do an old fashioned review to pick up on some errors. I am glad I purchased it.
User Rating: 3/10
More questions and Crashes
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This product raised more questions about a straight forward return than I had before I started. And the program was being too anal... If you selected an option, in the interview, and then needed to deselect that same option, you had to go directly into the tax form to do it... Try backing out of Alternative Minimum Tax... I didn't qualify for on my Fed Return (in TaxCut) but it took two days to get TaxCut State to realize that I didn't qualify for it on the state level!!! You get all the way to the end of your return, are preparing to file entirely electronically and TaxCut tells you that you cannot for the following reason "You have to include some other form or document with your Form 8453-OL Electronic Signature Form" BUT it doesn't tell you which form to include with the Electronic Signature Form!!!! So what do you do??? File a paper return??? Plus this program crashed a totallyu stable Windows XP machine more times than I care to mention. So many times, that I turned on Auto Save and set it to 1 minute increments. A total waste of time and money!!! If you want someone to do your taxes for you, or help you as this program was supposed to do, either go to H&R Block or a CPA!!! And if you do go to H&R Block, make sure you know exactly how far you can go with your deductions as the H&R Preparers are VERY conservative and won't deduct if they even have a slightest doubt. And you can have all of the receipts and the Tax Laws and they still question!!!! Hey wait, does it sound like a $50.00 software product may be a bait and switch for a $25 per form service at H&R Block. I'm beginning to thing so!!!
User Rating: 6/10
Easy, but missing key features
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I understand that tax software must be a pain to write, but why can't TaxCut handle simple issues like education creditss -- there are two different kinds and you can't take both. Tax Cut won't advise you on which is better for you or even say you can't do both! I'd have settled for a simple what-if feature. I was also disappointed by the lack of clear lins between the forms and the data from the interviews. Sometimes I couldn't tell where it got a number.
User Rating: 5/10
Calculation errors / Where is Customer Support?
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Until I received a TAX DUE NOTICE from my home state, I was pleased with the product. I have recently learned that the TAX CUT STATE application has a calculation error on one of the schedules. I now owe taxes for the last two tax years. After researching the calculation guarantee, I have learned that TaxCut will only pay interest charges and fees. You will not be "refunded" for your added time and effort resolving any calculation errors with the IRS. On top of that, their customer support SUCKS! The only way to communicate with them is via email and I have received replies with 50% of the words spelled incorrectly. H&R Block has really went the cheap route on the development of the TaxCut application as well as the staffing of its Customer Support team. DO NOT BUY!!
User Rating: 
2/10
Ewwwww...no more TAXCUT, I say!!
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I went to H&R B 3 years & they charged me too much to do my taxes. So, the next two years I did my taxes via Taxcut...if I'd rated it then, this would be a whole different story. THIS YEAR it has been crash after crash after crash after crash! I don't know if they changed the program somehow from previous years. Or, maybe they have a new vendor that they are using to create this software. Whatever it is, it is LESS THAN! I'm still struggling trying to get all of my info in (only 8 days left). I'm kind of scared now about e-filing after reading these comments! They had just better be glad 1 is the lowest score that can be given..UUUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!
User Rating: 
1/10
terrible customer service
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This company should be investigated. H&R Block has put out the worst software product of this type I have seen, and the customer service is non-existant. They could not explain why my state and federal tax forms were refused for e-file even though they were quite simple and straight forward. Had no problem last year and used Turbotax..Mistakenly used your Editors Pick. Guess you live and learn. I'll go back to Turbotax if I get the refund I have demanded from Taxcut. If they refund my purchase that will soften things a bit. But I doubt they will.
User Rating: 1/10
If you want to e-file, buy something else!
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This is the third year I bought TaxCut. Other two years, no problems. This year, cannot e-file because of socket failure. The technical advice is way too technical for me. The program is a great disappointment. I'll try TurboTax next year and hope it does better. As for this year, I guess its the old paper route. What a crock!
User Rating: 3/10
Major bugs importing from Quicken 2002
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I tried TaxCut this year because of the TurboTax product activation issues and now I regret it. When I imported data from Quicken 2002, it lumped all my dividends into one line instead of listing by each mutual fund. So I ended up retyping all the data by hand. The same thing happened with charitable contributions. It also messed up part of my long and short term capital gains and put the results in the wrong category. An email to customer support resulted in a lame reply that basically said, "Importing has problems, we can't help you." I'm angry and will never buy this product again.
User Rating: 6/10
Major Problem is Privacy
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The major problem here is that this software requires that you agree to share your financial information with H&R Block in order to install the software! There is no warning of this on the box. If you file electronically, H&R Block keeps a copy of your return. Moreover, their touted privacy statement indicates that unless you tell them otherwise they will share information about you with others. Finally, many of the attractive features of the platinum series, are available not on the CD but by web access only.
User Rating: 5/10
Lots of flaws
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I purchased the State as well as the Federal software and planned on doing my own taxes as well as my mother's and my brother's. AFTER purchasing the software, I learned that I could not complete my brother's return, because the state software does not allow for part-time resdents (which he is). I did do my mother's return, and it was accepted. However, this week she received a letter from our state's tax department informing her that she had claimed a deduction that she was not entitled to. Apparently, there is a "glitch" in the state software which allowed a deduction for my mother, even though she did not actually qualify. Consequently, she owes quite a lot more to the State and could have encountered penalties if we hadn't filed so early. I sent an e-mail to Taxcut.com, and the only thing I received back from them was a note that they appreciated my feedback. I am not pleased.
User Rating: 3/10
Don't expect to efile
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This year's return and last year's return are very similar for me: a mixed w-2 and schedule c type return. Last year I used TurboTax, this year went with TaxCut. I found TaxCut to be equal to TurboTax throughout the interview process. Then I turned to efiling. In case anyone cares, I'm an MCSE+I and CCNP and it was obvious that this program will not work behind a firewall or even a simple router after you have installed it behind that firewall or router. Their technical information on their website is horrible and the only contact for support is to fill out a form where a lot of personal as well as irrelevant information is required in order to send it. For instance, what does my home address and printer model (both required) have to do with being unable to contact their server? I checked out the tc02.cfg lead someone posted earlier and he is right on the mark. However, I'm not going to go tinkering with a config file for a program when my taxes are on the line (I fear men in black suits may knock on my door) so I will either have to print it out and mail it or reload my info into another program and/or efile website. This problem and their BS web site now makes me question my overall return and whether or not it is correct. I definitely will not be buying TaxCut next year. Ciao.
User Rating: 
8/10
Easy, quick, painless
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First time user, didn't know what to expect. SO EASY TO USE!! Will buy again next year. E-file worked with NO PROBLEMS...
User Rating: 5/10
TurboTax Deluxe 02 - e-file not!
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I have been an avid users of TT since 1997, and this year was ready to try e-filing. However, the software cannot detect my LAN or cable connect to the internet - thus, I cannot get updates, go to Intuit's or TurboTax's web Home Pages, and connot e-file. Spent 5 hours trying to troubleshoot and following instructions from 3 different technical support reps who admitted that this was a common problem this year. With the spyware and activation debacle the executive whom made these decision - forgot to try focus groups to secure the public's opinion - he is my opinion fire the decision makers and remove the gimmicks and spend more time and resources making the software connect to the internet. Almost forgot, TT will mail me updated CD - but it may take up to 2 weeks - man I hope the software gets here fast as 15 April is just 35 days away!!! Should have let my accounant do this supposidly easily task and saved 5 hours of fighting with the software.
User Rating: 5/10
So where is my school district income tax form?
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I've used TurboTax dating back to when I still had hair. Because of Intuit's spyware and their astronomical cost I decided to try TaxCut. Everything seemed to be okay as I was filling out my taxes, feds and state, with a few minor problems filling in the W2s but no big deal. As I stepped through the state (OHIO) form and went to print a copy for myself before e-filing, I realized there is no form SD-100, Ohio's school district income tax form. Since I live in a school district where we have an income tax, I NEED THIS FORM. So what does H&R Block have to say? I should have purchased their Platinum version. What a bunch of baloney!!! I have to pay EXTRA to get a state of Ohio mandated form??? I don't think so. This is my LAST time with this bunch of junk.
User Rating: 8/10
Did ok by me
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I had no problems loading and using the Deluxe Edition or the State edition. Only complaint. I live in one state and work in another. TaxCut state would not allow me to efile in the state I work in, withour purchasing another copy. I was told you could only Efile for the state you live in . note: I live in Kansas, I can download KS state forms and file electronicallly for free. So I mailed my forms in. TurboTax did not dictate what state you could/couldn't file in.
User Rating: 4/10
not user friendly,
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I'm a happy turbotax user, thought that I would I give this a try just to check it out. I purchased the Mac version, says it includes State download, spent 4 hours doing taxes (with 2 system freezes) and then go to download the state and come to find out that my state is not available! It didn't warn me on the box that not all states are available! Not nearly as UF as turbotax either.
User Rating: 8/10
Good package
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The only problem I had with the Deluxe kit was e-filing, which was resolved by visiting the comments here. TaxCut's website kept saying to disable proxy settings in IE, but as noted here before, even doing that did not clear them from the TC02.CFG file. Edit that file, delete the value for string:ui_prop_proxy_server, and set my firewall to allow direct access (DMZ computer config). Worked great! I'm even running the Windows program on an emulated environment, and it's been rock solid, far better than TurboTax.
User Rating: 3/10
E-file problems make it disappointing
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Thought I would try it based on TurboTax protection issues. Worked OK until I went to e-file- this is a joke! Wouldn't work on dial up or over LAN
User Rating: 6/10
Easy, fast, competent.
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I used TaxCut for the first time after using TurboTax for several years. TaxCut was indeed much faster and simplier. I did not have any major problems, technical or with tax process. TaxCut doesn't appear to provide as much "intelligence" as Quicken, but I found the help text for the fields and forms sufficient for my needs. There were some errors in the import from Quicken and prior tax years - but then TurboTax never did this properly either. [FYI - my returns involve salary and small business, mutual funds and misc. deductions, but no mortgage. Returns were e-filed]
User Rating: 2/10
Crashes - Don't Use It
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If you use this program, beware - it crashes! Also, unlike other software of its' type, it doesn't do automatic saves of your file as you're entering data. So, when you get that wonderful message: "TaxCut has cause errors and will be closed by Windows", you now have the fun task of entering your data over from scratch. It's also not that bright. For example, if you have income in two states, as shown on your federal return, it doesn't transfer that information to your state return. A minor annoyance compared to the crashing. I managed to get through the federal form and print a copy before it crashed. Another gripe - there's no context sensitive help. I think that the purpose of TaxCut is to get you frustrated to the point that you go to HR Block and pay them to do your taxes.
User Rating: 3/10
Thank God They're Not Spying on Me . . .
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I wouldn't want anyone to see how I'm butchering my return with their software. I'm returning this software, and buying turbotax deluxe. I wish I had never switched in the first place.
User Rating: 6/10
needs close checking
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The federal version worked fine- imported, calc'ed and efiled. The state, however, didn't fill in the imported schedule A data completely- it missed a critical line item that would have overstated my refund by >$300! I'll pass next year...
User Rating: 5/10
Finally got e-file to work!
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After 3 calls to helpdesk with no luck, I emailed helpdesk and they gave the solution to my problems. I was using a router, firewall and proxy server and could not get taxcut to e-file. After changing my firewall to be very permissive and then shutting down the proxy server, I could still not get it to work. Then I got an email back from tech support saying that I needed to edit the t02.cfg file in the programs subdirectory. There is some but with the config file. Once it figures out that you want to use a proxy, the program is not able to change it again. In my case, my proxy had a problem, so I needed the program to use the http port directly. You can also accomplish this by reinstalling (according to the tech support)
User Rating: 1/10
Don't waste your money on this crap
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This product was a huge disappointment. I had previously used TurboTax online and decided to try this because it has gotten good reviews, seemed reasonably priced and I thought I should try something new. First off, the price doesn't include e-filing costs or state tax forms. You can get rebates to cover the federal e-filing charge and the state tax prep software, but not the state e-filing charge. Before rebates, you'll have to pay an extra $50 for all of this beyond what you paid for the original product. Second, the questionnaire was poorly designed. For example, the questions relating to IRAs were obviously written by somebody who was a little unclear on the concept that there is such a thing as a non-deductible IRA. It was capable of handling it, but a lot of the questions didn't make a lot of sense. Also on the IRA subject, it asks you what your contribution was this year and then what your basis "is" in the IRA. It does not say whether it means what was your basis before this year's contribution or what is it now. Despite the use of the present tense, it really want the number before this year, but don't expect the help to tell you that. Even the IRS form is clearer. Finally, the service was able to e-file my federal return with payment by direct withdrawal from my account, but could not do this with the state filing. The message simply said that my payment information had not been transmitted to the state tax office. It gave no indication of why. Their tech support line also had nothing better to suggest than try again. It never worked and I'm in the middle of an e-mail exchange with the badly misnamed customer support department where each e-mail is glanced at by a new person who sends a canned response that ignores all of the information I have provided and all of the questions I have asked. My home state (California) is not small, so you'd think they would care if they were having trouble transmitting payment information. They do not. Nobody there can even answer the question of whether they have successfully transmitted electronic payment information to the State Tax Board for any of their customers. They simply haven't checked and just don't care. TurboTax is infinitely better. Don't waste your time with this product.
User Rating: 6/10
Great until you try to use it over a network
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I used the 2001 version and it worked great. I then imported the data into the 2002 version and had no problem. The problem is with e-file. There is some crazy problem with how e-file works with a firewall/router. I couldn't figure it out. One tech support said that it would work with a router if the firewall was configured right. The other tech support said that it would never work with any router? They said to try using a modem and a direct connection. I say screw that - why don't they make it easier to do?
User Rating: 8/10
You will be solicited...
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The day after I did my return I get a call from H&R Block Mortgage... Coincidence? I don't think so...
User Rating: 5/10
efile problems
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After MULTIPLE attempts(30) I still cannot efile my return. The issue has something to do with connection problems. Tech support has no answers.
User Rating: 8/10
TC Deluxe Imported my Quicken 2000 Investment data - TT Deluxe would Not!
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I am (was) a longtime Quicken/TurboTax customer who switched to TaxCut last night and I am delighted with the change. TurboTax Deluxe would not import my capital gains/losses from my Quicken 2000, but TaxCut Deluxe did! Wonder what goofball at Intuit came up with that dumb idea? Who would want to put up with all of the hassles in the new TurboTax product when TaxCut does the same job as efficiently and simply. My own taxes are relatively complex (various incomes from self employment, investments, etc.), but TaxCut did a great job without a hitch. If you've used TurboTax for years like I had, you'll be happier in my opinion if you go over to TaxCut.
User Rating: 8/10
Good Simple Program
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I used Turbotax for years. Then found out about the insidious activation scheme that Intuit tried to pull this year. So I tried TaxCut for the first time. I found it fairly similar to Turbotax 2001 (I have not tried the 2002 Spyware edition, of course!) and perhaps a little easier to use. It prepared my return with no fuss and no problems at all. I filed electronically and already have my refund back! As a bonus, it is even a little cheaper than Turbotax! As long as Intuit sticks to their spyware scheme, I'll continue to buy TaxCut.
User Rating: 7/10
Not If you have Kids in College
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Good program but be careful if you have dependents in college. You have to lie to the program to take the student loan interest deduction. It is also very easy to take a deduction for tuition expenses and lifetime learning credit (very bad). Error check does not catch this or warn you. My biggest complaint is you have no way provide them feedback.
User Rating: 3/10
Switched from Turbo Tax
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Tax Cut had forms I need that were not included in Turbo Tax. Besides, Tax Cut does not have Turbo Tax's flawed activation scheme. To top it all off Tax Cut is cheaper. 'Nuff said?
User Rating: 3/10
Could not e-file!
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My return was fairly simple and I got this mainly for e-filing. When it came to e-filing I kept getting an SSL error. Tried all the obvious things like turning off zone alarm, installing on another PC, installing on a PC that had IE 5.0 (I was using 6.0). Tech support was no help so I gave up and downloaded TaxAct Deluxe 2002. I got the same results for my return as TaxCut but a lot cheaper and was able to e-file with TaxAct without changing anything on my network configuration. Last word TaxCut from tech support was "If you are on a network such as a LAN, WAN, behind a proxy server, NT® Network, small home network, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that uses firewall software, T1, T3, ISDN, or DSS, you will not be able to E-file. If you are running personal firewall software you will have to fully disable it before you attempt to E-file. TaxCut is not supported in a network environment.". Didn't mention any of this in the software requirements. Maybe next year TaxCut.
User Rating: 8/10
Users since 1998 will never use it again!!!
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Imported my data from 2002, followed interview, did error check, no errors submitted for efile. Notifed next day that there was an error on Sched C re "incorect business code'. Found out that IRS changed codes this year but TC NEVER gave any warnings or error meassge. Called Cust. Sup, waited 30 min. talked with someone with no knowledge of problem or haw to fix. Went back over it and found new 2002 IRS codes replaced the one that was ok for 3 years and imported by TC and re efiled. That problem solved. Now it told me that there was an error insomewhere in the input on some form that should be positive that was entered as a negative!! Surprise!!!Six hours later and after two one hour phone calls and mooving up to high level tech support the call was cut off. An hour later I got an email from tech support telling me the problem was not as described in the error message but on form 2106 % of use of auto calulation. I looked at it., TC had properly calulated the % as 76.83. Emiled TC back that that wasn't the problem it calculated ok. Never heard from TC again. So after trying to efile again and being rejected the 4th time I changed the mileage to calculate at 76.00 %. The efile program accepted it and I haver never heard for TC customer support!!!!!!
User Rating: 7/10
Experience was similar to using TurboTax
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I've always used TurboTax, but tried TaxCut this year to avoid TT's 2002 activation policy and spyware. TaxCut easliy imported my prior year TT return in about 10 seconds. The user interface is *very* similar to TT, with the same type of interview process and ability to jump around at your discretion. Certain features make it even easier to navigate than TT 2001 (I haven't used TT 2002). Promotion of H&R Block services abounds in the interview, but offers are easily skipped by clicking on to the next step (I prefer this incovenience to TT spyware). An update is now available (14.1 MB - long download time for dial-up) that includes all final 2002 IRS forms. The "Update" button in my software malfunctioned, but I followed a link through the "Help" section and downloaded the update directly from the Web with no problems. User comment that TaxCut doesn't track all forms you need to print/file is incorrect; TaxCut identifies all necessary forms based on interview responses (user, like me, probably didn't need Sched. B this year because IRS rules have changed - see TC's "Help" section). My final return was accurate and complete, and I found the whole experience highly similar to using TurboTax in the past. I recommend TaxCut to anyone looking for a TT alternative this year.
User Rating: 5/10
Mac: Adequate, only slightly better than TurboTax
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I am using TaxCut on Mac OS X, so my experience is probably different than 95% of the other users here. TaxCut was adequate for my fairly complex home-business needs, but it's nothing to write home about. There's a pretty thorough review and comparison with TurboTax at somebody's blog, here, which I thought pretty much sums it up better than I could: http://theapotek.com/teknotes/archives/000023.html#000023
User Rating: 4/10
No E-file/tech support!
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This is the pits!!!!!!!!!! I've used this product in the past without these problems. Tech support? Where? The product is faulty and money should be refunded! I will e-mail them several times a day pestering them for a fix and/or refund!
User Rating: 7/10
I'm happy I switched from T.T.
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I've been a Turbo tax deluxe user for about 5 years. I decided to switch after reading about Intuits sneaky arrogance, with their spyware and other software. I just finished using Tax Cut and have found it to be just as good if not better. They also have that same stupid rebate program (5.00 for the fed, full rebate for the state 24.99 one rebate for fed filing 14.95) that Intuit has, but overall I thought it was easy to use and cheaper, without having those creeps putting hidden hard to remove software on my computer. Give Tax Cut a try.
User Rating: 7/10
Works okay but...
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I pre-entered all my tax information into TaxCut starting last December. After I received the actual hard copy W-2 from my employer, I went into TaxCut and edited it. I then went to final error check. The final error check told me I needed to check off if I was a student or not for form 8880. It never asked me if I had received any distributions, and therefore allowed me to efile. I had received distributions that were entered into TaxCut on a 1099-R form. TaxCut's error check should have asked me if I received distributions or automatically pulled it over from the 1099-R. This created more credit from the form 8880 than I was due. I now have to file an amended return because of this glich. The final error check should be programmed to check for this. Also, as everyone knows, the IRS uses terminology that doesn't make sense to about 99.9999% of the population. TaxCut's help isn't a whole lot better. Other than the above, it worked well.
User Rating: 5/10
cheap, no problems installing
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bought taxcut federal,state had no problems installing, uninstalling,importing last years ttax data.Don't care much for interview process, not as easy to use as ttax. But I have been a turbotax user for 7 years, and avoided it because of all the bugs in this years software.
User Rating: 1/10
Password Protection Activates by Itself!
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Installed the software without problems. I have Windows XP Pro. Saved my return file. When I tried opening the file again, the password feature locked up the return. Contacted tech support, but they said that there is no way that the password activated by itself. With all the problems with TT, I guess I'll have to do my taxes manually.
User Rating: 3/10
Ridiculous problems with e-filing
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Filling out the forms was no problem, but I've spent HOURS trying to work out technical glitches involving internet connection, downloads and e-filing. Tried to install the downloaded state program - it would hang every time at a spot where it insisted on checking for updates to the federal program, could not detect my dsl connection, and then shut down the installation. Tech support was no help, finally said to call customer support for a refund, then go to the store and purchase the state program on cd. Did that. Installed, updated, completed return, got to the point of e-filing - would not e-file. No explanation. Copied data to disk, took programs (fed & state) to another computer, installed, tried to e-file - no luck. This is ridiculous - switched to this from TurboTax because of the new problems this year, but I'm about ready to switch back . . . totally unacceptable.
User Rating: 1/10
Can't even do the basics
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Well, I tried TaxCut Deluxe 2002, after reading about all of the bad news regarding TurboTaxes product activation. In a nut shell, this product is not ready for release. I just finished my Federal return and expected it to print out Schedule B along with my 1040 form. Pretty standard stuff for a normal 1040 itemized return. Well apparently the system doesn't keep track of the requisite reports. Two year summary doesn't print properly. My greatest concern is that if this program doesn't know which reports to print out for my records.... WILL IT SUBMIT the correct schedules to the IRS. I really was hoping that this product would work, but I guess I'll have to return to TurboTax. Printing was really just an after thought for this program.
User Rating: 8/10
Becareful if you plan to switch to TT
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I just found out tonight that TT won't have the most recent form and updates "until 2/3/03 at the eairliest". I just had a terrible experience with TT techs. After using TT for 8 years the past two on a home network connected to a cable modem they told me that TT for 2002 "will not work on a netowrk". This was sured on by the fact I haven't been able to register online or obtain updates for the past three days. Thinsk twice before switching to TT.
User Rating: 5/10
Not very well done
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Been using turbotax for many years, but decided to try TaxCut due to the TT spyware and product activation. I imported last year's TT file and was off and running until I hit a spot in the interview that asked for the amount of itemized deductions for last year!!! Didn't the program just look at that file?!?! So thinking it was perhaps my problem I reimported last years file and POOF it erased all my current data and started me over again. Then once again in the efile portion it asked if I had the Adjusted Gross Income from last year ... DUH!!! And then the best part, the federal portion told me that all was well, no errors, but when I went to efile there were 3 errors that showed up. At that point any other action led to a program CRASH!! I managed to get through it but it was painful ... Turbotax was always well behaved and simple. I hope they learn their lesson so I can go back to TT next year.
User Rating: 7/10
It's better than TurboTax
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XP user's note: you are supposed to have Service Pack 1 installed to run TaxCut help properly.
User Rating: 8/10
Switched from Intuit's TurboTax -- great so far
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I have been a loyal Intuit TurboTax customer since 1996, but decided to switch after the whole Product Activation debacle. So far, TaxCut has been great -- they're really very similar products. I decided to go with the software version instead of the online version because I can file multiple returns for a single $20 purchase. Great price, and so far I'm happy after switching. I hope Intuit learns their lesson over the mess they created with their otherwise solid software product.
User Rating: 6/10
Goodbye Turbo Tax!!!
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Works well enough except for the screen size problem. I used TT for years, but not any more. They can take their SPY program and their activation process and shove it.
User Rating: 8/10
After trying to use Turbo Tax this is a gem
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After hassling with turbo tax for two days. Ended buying this program and installing. Went smooth and had taxes figure and ready for filing in under 30 minutes. Imported last years data quickly, where turbotax couldn't.
User Rating: 5/10
Crashed when checking for red flags
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The TaxCut program for 2001 crashed every time I tried to "check for red flags." This was on a fresh install of Windows XP, with all Windows updates and TaxCut updates installed. A fresh install of the software did not help. Otherwise it worked fine. But the "red flag finder" is a pretty important part of the program to fail.
User Rating: 4/10
Mangles TurboTax import
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Upset over Intuit's product activation scheme, I decided to dump TurboTax in favor of TaxCut this year. Unfortunately, when it came time to import last year's data, it came through horribly mangled. The filer's name, for example, was listed as "Chair Mat," which is some office equipment I've been depreciating. Looks like I'll have to stay with TurboTax.
User Rating: 6/10
Used it Before Still OK
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I haven't had any problems with either installation or running on my SE 98 OS machine.
User Rating: 4/10
Adequate for novice, no good for complicated returne
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I used TT for years, but decided to try TC this year. I'll go back to TT next year. TC does not display 1099-DIV, 1099-INT or 1099-R in the same format as the forms received. TT does display these forms as such and is, therefore, much much easier to complete data for stock and retirement fund activities.
User Rating: 5/10
Can't E-File!!!
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Does not have finalized forms and tech support says they may not be aviable until "the latest" second week of Febuary. I can snailmail and get my refund back by then! I guess I'll have to try TT again. S**T!
User Rating: 6/10
The whole point is to e-file!
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I used TaxCut software for my federal and state return on the Macintosh last year. It installed without problems, but it crashed about an hour into the interview process....lost everything! After starting over, I saved often and it only crashed once more. After finishing, however, I tried to e-file both the federal and state returns, only to discover that it would not allow me to e-file to my state, INSPITE OF TELLING ME THAT IT WOULD WORK FOR MY STATE! I had no alternative but to e-file the federal return alone and file the state return by hand. What's the point? I will not buy TaxCut software again. I used TurboTax on the web in 2000 and in spite of its cost, it worked great for both federal and state returns. Don't hastily switch to TaxCut unless you have a good reason. Try the web version. No installation necessary!
User Rating: 3/10
Repeated Errors
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TaxCut 2000 State software worked correctly, 2001 missed a major state credit. TaxCut broke their software and then FAILED to FIX it in 2001 and now in 2002. They will not be getting my future business, as they do not care about the customer.
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10/10
FORMER TURBOTAX USER
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I'm going with H&R BLOCK TAXCUT sight unseen, regardless of its feature functions, because INTUIT can take their CDILLA spyware / activation scheme and shove it where the sun don't shine.
User Rating: 2/10
Does not have the latest finalized forms available from IRS
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I've used TaxCut for the last 3 years. This year I am very disappointed with the software. I am not able to submit my taxes via e-file because TaxCut has not updated the software to include the latest, finalized versions of various schedules. And TaxCut does not anticipated this update being available until February 7, 2003. Therefore I will be returning Taxcut and purchasing TurboTax so I can submit my taxes now instead of waiting 2 weeks..which will mean I will have to spend another 2 hours re-doing my taxes.
User Rating: 1/10
I'm switching back to TurboTax
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I used TurboTax and MacInTax for more than 10 years and switched to TaxCut last year because of the positive reviews. This year, I'm switching back. TaxCut is almost unusable if you want to edit the forms instead of going through the questions. Among other problems, it can only display one form at a time in a modal manner and it's hard to navigate through the forms. It is very hard to deal with anything complicated which isn't covered by their questions (e.g., complex stock sales, non-standard depreciation, some charitable gifts).
User Rating: 6/10
Had to redo my return in TurboTax.
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Did the whole review and for some reason it gave me a deduction in taxes and had no idea why. If found out why after I redid the whole thing in turbotax. It turned out on input of the previous year's taxes, it automatically gave me a deduction for cap gains loss that I did not get the previous year. Since I didn't know whey I was getting the deduction and knew I was dealing with the IRS, I could not take any changes and had to buy TurboTax and find out why.
User Rating: 5/10
There is more to 'display' than meets the eye.
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There is a problem related to Windows screen area size (display resolution) and font scalling present in both 2002 and 2001 versions of TaxCut. Tech support is aware of this bug but there seems to be no interest in fixing it. If Display Properties / General tab / Display Font Size is set to large fonts (125%) 'longer' questionnaires (or info pages) will not scale properly. Basically some information not fitting within window space is being dropped / hidden in such way that user may not be aware of not seeing the entire page. On top of that, unless you start "clicking around" the program window, the scroll bars (that would signify more text is being available) may not show up! (Sometimes going back and forward between screens will result in scroll bars reappearing; opening and closing form view sometimes does the same trick). I did talk to other people using your software and at least two more people noticed the very same bug. TaxCut tech support recommends using SVGA resolutions and small font sizes to circumvent this problem.
User Rating: 7/10
Death To Turbo Tax
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Amen to all those that have made the switch due to the Turbo Tax C-Dilla and Activation nightmare. Their customer support is even worse!
User Rating: 3/10
not as friendly as turbotax
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I've used Turbotax for the web the past two years. I wanted to try something new and definitely cheaper so I went with Taxcut Platinum for Home and Office. I was sad to find that Taxcut's explanations and examples were not nearly as clear as Turbotax for the web.
User Rating: 8/10
Out with Turbo Tax; in with TaxCut
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First time user after years of being a loyal Turbo Tax user. TaxCut is just as good and you don't have to go thru the hassle of product activation like Turbo Tax. Bad business decision on part of Intuit. RIP Intuit.
User Rating: 8/10
Be an well informed consumer!
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Get this software. Do NOT make the mistake by purchasing that other software from Brand X. The stories: http://news.com.com/2100-1017-979357.html http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,815693,00.asp And check out the average rating for Brand X's software -- it speaks for itself: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006ULHT/qid=1042778516/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-9625669-8436613
User Rating: 7/10
Does The Job
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My accountant decided to retire at the last minute this year, so I gave Tax Cut Platinum a try as it's cheaper then TT. I'm fairly pleased; I learned the program in a couple hours & it found a couple deductions my accountant had missed in past years!
User Rating: 8/10
Cheap and Effective
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I've been using Turbo Tax forever, however, after Installing TT 2002 (which includes C-Dilla Spyware and Product Activation) I decided to Try Tax Cut. It's not as pretty as Turbo Tax...but it does get the job done. I'm still trying to clean up my system after uninstalling TT...WHAT A NIGHTMARE! BTW, I did return TT for a full refund. Whoever the TT Executive that thought this years 2002 Activation and Spyware scheme ought to be fired! Duh, U ain't got it like Micro$oft!! There are other Tax Programs!
