I used TurboTax for 3 tax seasons, then used TaxCut for 2 tax seasons. Last year I wrote a review on TaxCut and this year I have decided to go back and review both programs and write a 'comparative' review between TaxCut and TurboTax.

One main difference between the two is the price. TaxCut is about 10.00 cheaper. This is a great selling point that TaxCut uses in advertising its product. Actually that is why I first switched to TaxCut.

The next difference is that TaxCut includes free state tax downloads. TurboTax does have a state download available from their website but charges for it. Although last year when I tried to use the state tax filing with TaxCut, my state was never available because TaxCut had not finished updating it when I filed my taxes at the end of February.

Both programs allow you to automatically transfer you tax information from the previous year to your current tax year, for example you don't have to re-enter your name, address, employer, filing status, etc., it will just transfer all basic information from the previous year and then review it with you to make sure all information is still current. This is very convenient. With TaxCut you can even transfer the information from TurboTax but if you had TaxCut the previous year, you can not transfer information to TurboTax.

TurboTax seems to be a little more 'customer friendly', the terms are easier to understand. The 'help' sections are a little clearer to the average person trying to complete their own taxes.

I concluded that both programs are easy to follow with a simple interview process that asks basic background information then follows with W-2 and other income questions. Next is deductions from income and itemizing questions. Both programs take you through both the standard deduction and itemizing method and tell you which way you will receive a bigger refund. Although I did find small glitches in TaxCut and caused problems that I did not have with TurboTax. TaxCut added the same deduction into my taxes two times in different places on the return.

The website is easy to navigate and the customer service was very helpful when I submitted a question that I had about a deduction.

I am pleased with TurboTax and recommend it to anyone that does their own taxes or wants to give it a try to save some time and money.

Update for Tax Season 2004*********************************
I am still using TurobTax. It is still the easiest to navigate which cuts down on mistakes and confusion.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 19.99