j_cricket's Full Review: Intuit Turbo Tax Deluxe 2008 Full Version for PC, ...
I have used TurboTax for over a decade and each year it gets more painful.
This is the year I am finally switching to TaxCut.
I bought TurboTax 2008 at CostCo for around $75. I loaded it up and it asked me for registration details. Every year Intuit asks me for private informatiobn, which (given the amount of institutional data theft contributing to identity theft in this country), I never give out.
Only problem is, if you don't send in a registration, the program will prompt you every time to register -- there is no way to turn off the nagware. I called Intuit customer support: "You'll just have to send the information if you don't want to see the screen" was their official response.
Then, I tried to update the software. It would not upgrade unless I installed and updated to the newest version of .NET (the Microsoft platform for sharing computer programs).
Since I don't use .NET (and the one time I installed and updated it took me 2 days), I was unable to update TurboTax online. I had to download the 71 Mb update file manually from the Intuit website and manually update (which is my preferred method of updating, anyway). But I have to do this every time there are updates.
But here is the worst part -- every time I start up the program I am presented with an ad for preparing additional returns for $9.95! There is no way to bypass the ad. Ok, now I just plunked down $75. I only need to do my own return, yet they are trying to sell me another return? How many people need to do 2 returns?
It's as if they are saying to me "We know you're a thief and are trying to steal this program, so we've got a clever way to make you pay for more returns."
I have used TurboTax for my small business for years, and have never stolen or given a copy to anyone.
And I hardly want to be asked to buy another return every time I start up the program!
I called up Customer Support again at Intuit to see if there was a way to turn off this nagware ad screen, and the official reply was: "Well, you only have to click the 'No, thanks' button to proceed."
That's three screens I have to click "Continue" or "No, thanks" just to start the program.
Oh, but there's more hassle. Downloading and starting the state program is more hassle.
I ended up returning this to CostCo and starting (for the first time in about 12 years) TaxCut.
My friend quit working at Intuit in San Diego last year. Now I see why.
This company sucks. I used Quickbooks almost 9 years ago, but started having the same problems with Quickbooks. I switched to Quicken in 2005, which had less problems and was adequate for my small business, but have given up on that, too. Compatibility with my banks was hit and miss, and they kept switching formats, updating requirements, and wanted more money every 3 years for updates.
I now use GnuCash for accounting, which is open source and non-proprietary. What a relief. Now I'll have to see how TaxCut works out to replace TurboTax.
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