TurboTax 2001 Deluxe by Intuit

Description

Taxpayers who have progressed beyond the 1040EZ know that money can't buy happiness until after April 15. TurboTax 2001 Deluxe can't deliver happiness, but it can make federal tax preparation a lot easier for just about everyone.

Installation of TurboTax Deluxe is quick, and a linked series of wizards helps users compile all the information they need. Back-and-forth navigation is simple; the software keeps track of which steps have been skipped and returns as necessary. Users who must pay state taxes need only type in their information once if they use a TurboTax state package (free after rebate with TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, or Home & Business).

First-time users would be well-advised to ask a knowledgeable friend to help out. Although much of the hard work is done automatically, some decisions are far from intuitive and may require some detective work. The copious online help functions are both smart (they often answer questions before they're asked) and thorough; this goes a long way toward easing users' troubled minds. Data entry is relatively painless, especially for returning users, who can port in last year's information and edit as needed. When it's all over, every form is printed out complete with everything but signatures, or users can opt for easy electronic filing.

New features such as the Tax Law Advisor will not only help with your 2001 return but help you plan for the future as well. And everyone knows that planning ahead is always a good investment. –Rob Lightner

Platforms

Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 95