Software Reviews: business and educational--Income Tax Software It’s Income Tax Time Again

Cyber News and Reviews is a monthly column published since 1995 for parents, teachers and small business and home business owners offering articles on some of the best computer products available. I cover business software, education, entertainment with freeware and shareware, and some hardware too. Over the years, I've reviewed computer programs from Microsoft, Knowledge Adventure (Davidson) and others. When my kids were young, they couldn't wait for the software to arrive and have fun testing the games and lessons with me. And, in the past few years they've contributed some of their own reviews with opinions. The best advice on software is from the children who use it. Also, many of the business programs reviewed are useful for home business and small business owners. HB

It’s Income Tax Time Again

Though it’s just February, before you know it you’ll need to be filing your federal, state and local income tax forms. By now, you should have received most of your 1099s and W2s, and you have all your receipts ready to make that big yearly tax calculation. If you do your taxes, by hand, like I used to do for so many years, you should really consider buying one of the tax preparation software packages. They can save you a lot of time as well as check for errors so you can get your refund fast. Below are most of tax programs available to help you calculate your income taxes for 2005. I highly recommend TurboTax (I’ll be reviewing TurboTax 2005 in March), but there are several others available.

Tax Software for 2005

TurboTax 2005 from Intuit

Intuit offers 3 software packages for preparing personal income tax:

1040 EZ for $9.95,

TurboTax Deluxe for all 1040 forms at $19.95. Supports all 1040 forms and provides step-by-step guidance to find extra deductions.

TurboTax Premier for all tax forms including business and investments at $39.95. Maximum confidence and tax-savings for more tax deductions, credits, investments and Schedule C.

Intuit URL http://www.turbotax.com

Quick Tax Canadian 2005

Standard--$39.95, Platinum--$59.95, Platinum 100 for tax preparers--$249.95, Quicken Suite--$99.95

Intuit CA URL http://www.intuit.ca/store/en/intuit/index.jsp

TaxAct

Standard, Prepare free, Print free, E-file free. States additional charge.

Deluxe, Print & E-file free, extra help and advice from J.K. Lasser’s Tax Guide, Life events guidance, free phone technical support, $12.95. States additional charge.

Ultimate Bunde, Print & E-file federal & state tax returns, extra help and advice from J.K. Lasser’s Tax Guide, Life events guidance, free phone technical support, $19.95. States included.

URL http://www.taxact.com

Taxslayer.com

TaxSlayer Web free, Federal e-File, $9.95, State e-File, free

TaxSlayer Download plus Federal e-File, $19.90, State e-File, free

URL http://www.taxslayer.com/

TaxCut from H&R Block

Standard, $9.95, Deluxe with TaxCut State, $29.95, TaxCut Premium with Advanced Tools and TaxCut State, $49.95. Online EZ 1040EZ, $5.95, Online Premium, 1040 forms plus extra advice, $19.95 and Online Signature, return signed by tax professional, $79.95. TaxCut Online requires additional fees for state return.

URL http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/

Complete Tax, Online Federal and State Tax Preparation

Online Federal Return $24.95, State Return, $9.95 with free e-filing

URL http://www.completetax.com

Howard Berenbon

Business Software Reviewed & Educational Software Reviews since 1995 - Anti-spyware and virus detection and protection programs