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| ![TurboTax Deluxe 2005 with State Win/Mac [Old Version]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ASH77GDHL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | From: Intuit, Inc.
Category: Software
List Price: $39.95
Buy New: $20.93
You Save: $19.02 (48%)
New (13) Used (3) from $13.98
Rating:  206 reviews
Sales Rank: 401
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Windows Me, Windows 98, Mac Os X, Windows Xp, Windows 2000
Media: CD-ROM
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Operating System: Windows XP
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 1.4
MPN: 296819
Model: 296819
UPC: 052800929388
EAN: 0028287415287
ASIN: B000B8K7SG
Release Date: November 18, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Everything you will need June 21, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This product did an excellent job of figuring our taxes. This is the first time we've tried something like this and found it very easy to follow and complete. You can go back and change things or review them, it gives you a way to e-file, you can print out all the copies that you may need. I was surprised how easy it was to use. However it took us a long time because we read all the items very carefully and double checked everything but it saved us a lot of money from what we used to pay our tax preparer. I was very happy with it.
 A Disappointed Mac User April 17, 2006
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
This was my first year using Turbotax, and it's also my last!
Since 1992 I was a faithful user of HR Block's Taxcut for Mac. In spite of it costing more than the Windows version, I used it every year except for 1995 when various problems related to my AOL dial-up service prevented me from using it. Since TurboTax is the only option out there for people who use a Mac, you'd think I'd be continuing to use them for now on, - but you'd be wrong!
I purchased my copy of TurboTax Deluxe from Amazon.com to save $5. Since TaxCut made certain that no information from it's software could ever be imported by other software, I filled in my personal data as I began. I was a little disappointed that TurboTax doesn't allow you to skip the "step-by-step" method, and just fill in the actual forms the way TaxCut did as an option. While the downloads were an annoyance (6 or 7 separate files each time), for the most part the software was OK. Picking up from where you leave off wasn't always possible, but 5 or 6 clicks would get you back to the right spot.
My first major annoyance came with the state software. After filling in some data, and seeing the overall results, I wanted to look at the forms to see what they were doing with my data. I also needed to see where they had placed data that was imported from the federal information I'd entered. Well, there's no way to see your data on state forms until you're finished and print them out (or preview as .pdf files from the print dialogue). When you do that the software somehow magically creates the state forms for printing, but the state forms don't seem to exist anywhere else except in that print spool! I found this extremely annoying, and a real time waster.
The final blow, however, was when I got to filing. The advertising is an unnecessary annoyance. Since I don't owe any state taxes, I just usually print those forms out and mail them in --- it doesn't make any sense to me to pay for filing something when I don't owe anything and I'm not going to benefit from that "faster" refund. Then I came to the crusher. TurboTax wanted $30 for e-filing my Federal forms!! TaxCut charged $14.95 and $15.95, but then they always rebated the cost. I was told that Intuit used to do that, but obviously they decided to make some additional money this year. Earlier in the day that I filed the saw the head of the IRS on CNBC being interviewed. He said that e-filing makes their job so much simpler. Well, if it helps them that much, they should devise a way for computer users who buy software to file returns directly to the IRS without Intuit, H R Block and the others as middlemen. And they should let us file for free if it makes their work so much easier.
While I have had my doubts about the services that allow you to fill out online forms, and then do your filing for you, I haven't heard of any security problems with them, so that's the direction I'm planning to take next year. As far as I'm concerned, TurboTax blew it by being unfair with their e-filing fees.
 Adequate, but not recommended April 17, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have used Intuit products since 1992, and was quite satisfied until 4 years ago when Intuit began installing hidden software on users' computers in an attempt to "stop piracy", which caused numerous problems for us honest users who paid for the program.
Secondly and even more significantly, I began noticing an apparent shift in Intuit's philosophy toward it's customers: cut back on customer support, and attempt to exploit them at every possible opportunity in order to make more money.
In short, Intuit disrespects their customers.
As a loyal paying customer, I will not be disrespected or taken for granted. Their level of service and support has declined. Their products constantly pimp you to spend more money on Intuit as you try to use their programs.
That is why I have sworn off Intuit products when there is an alternative. Why reward someone who treats you badly?!
don't bother. use online version April 15, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
if you have used the online version in the past, stick with it. buying it on disk does not allow you to import data from previous returns if done on line and you can not upload to myturbotax. almost as if two separate companies! plus the User interface on this software stinks bigtime. very hard to navigate back and forth. online version is actually better (though i didn't try it this year). does intuit actually employ programmers or watch real users? they spend far too much money on useless features like videos and not enough on simple ui issues.
Long Time User, But Dissapointed April 13, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I have been using Turbo Tax since 1998, I use computers every day, and (as an engineer) I am used to using difficult applications (Pro-E, Mathcad, UG, etc). This years edition of Turbo Tax Deluxe was the worst Turbo tax I have ever seen (& I usually like it very much). I purchased in January and had to update 4 times. One update took 6 hours (some of us live in the boonies and broadband is not an option). In addition, the application brought up menus and selections that were not applicable (farm income at the PA State form). When I tried to delete the entries (at the Federal level as instructed) they would not. My 1 business expense entry kept getting duplicated ("copy 2" and every time I deleted it, it would reappear on the next pass through. Every time I entered the "State" tab, it acted like I was never there before with a "Start State" button that always lead me through all the same questions (It did retain my answers from prior visits). Where was the "Continue State" button? I also noticed that using the "back" button and then moving foreward again caused never before seen dialogs to occur, even though the same "foreward" choices were made. Once I backed up to check something & then moving foreward caused my state tax status to jump from +$46 to -$1548!! Upon backing up I saw that some of the check boxes regarding the sale of my home were unchecked. I did not check them, but rather backed up two more screens, then moved foreward again the two screens and the boxes were again checked! One more foreward click and my taxes again returned to +$46. One of the years I liked best was when there was a "checklist" so you could see where you had been and what was already addressed. This years State was definetly worse than the Federal, but even that was a dissapointment. I did complete this years filings & submitted both online, I hope I don't get burned! Turbo Tax!-- Please improve for next year or it may be my last year. You realize that at 59.95 + 39.95 filing + my time + aggravation like this year, and an accountant is looking attractive. If you are on the "inside" you probably know why this is happening...outsourcing code gen to India, not outsourcing code gen to India, programmer cut-backs, programming application changes, archiving application changes, project management issues, whatever. Just realize that there is a problem & fix it.
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