TurboTax Giveaway!
Posted on February 26, 2012 11 Comments
As a satisfied TurboTax user for several years, I’m delighted to announce that I have a free license to give away for the 2011 Deluxe edition (a $49.95 value)!
Here’s how the giveaway works: just comment ON THIS POST by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 2 to enter. Make sure the entry includes an email address (required for comment form) so I can get in touch with you if needed. A winner will be chosen at random from the submissions and notified on Saturday, March 3. I’ll also post the name of the winner in the comment thread here.
SPAM FILTER WARNING: This site uses a Word Press spam filter. If you do not see your comment listed, you can use the contact page (at the bottom of the blog) to find my e-mail address and let me know you’re caught in the filter. I WILL be checking the spam filter all week to make sure nobody is stuck there.
For those of you not familiar with TurboTax, why would you want to use it? What are the pros and cons? Here’s my review based on four continuous years of use.
- It’s user-friendly. I tried to do my taxes with the paper forms once. It was totally intimidating, even for the simple “1040-A” form, and I ended up going to my aunt for my tax preparation and filing. TurboTax online is not anything like the paper forms. It asks you a series of questions in a easy to navigate way, like, “Have you moved this year?” and “Have you paid interest on your student loans this year?” You click buttons for yes or no, and based on your answer, TurboTax will tell you what forms you need and where to find the info on the forms. Easy-peasy.
- It’s relatively quick. Yes, there are a lot of screens to click through. And yes, the first time I used it there was a lot of information to enter. But when I used TurboTax the second year and for every year since, my data was stored in the system so I didn’t have to re-enter my address, employer ID number, etc. Additionally, my data from the previous year was instantly imported so I didn’t need to scout around to locate my past adjusted gross income, I just had to confirm that it was right.
- I can file at home, with support. This is a nice benefit for me because half-way into my taxes I usually realize I forgot a form somewhere. This year, for instance, I had to run out to my car in my pajamas to find my vehicle registration fee. And while working from home may seem like a negative because I don’t have a dedicated tax professional, the reality is my questions aren’t that complicated and the web site itself provides plenty of support via live chats and searchable chat forums and Q&As. I’ve never felt unsupported working on my taxes from home.
- Doing your own taxes gives you a good sense of where your money goes. I did not realize how much less my money market account was making in interest vs. a few years ago until comparing all my previous 1099-INT forms. I had noticed that the monthly interest payments were smaller, but until I compared all of my year-end statements I didn’t notice by how much (nearly half what I made in interest in 2008, when I had less saved). It’s a good reminder for me to shop around for a higher interest money market account. I’m not sure I would have caught that if someone else did my taxes.
- Even though it’s an online product, I trust the company. I have been to Intuit headquarters in California and met employees of the company. (My old firm used to do a lot of business with them; I never worked on an Intuit account.) The people I met were true professionals and the campus was awesome. Intuit isn’t some shadowy new company that just wants your data; they were founded in 1983 and have a long history of innovative and trustworthy products used by millions of American consumers. I have used TurboTax, Quicken, and Mint, and find their products to be useful and their customer service to be stellar.
Those are all pros; the only real con to TurboTax is the price, in my mind. The past two years, I’ve paid between $70 and $79 to file my state and local taxes with TurboTax. This year, without a free code, I would have paid $56 for the Deluxe edition (see disclosure statement below). That said, I did notice that this year — before I got the free blogger review code from the TurboTax team— when I logged in there was a pretty steep discount listed, down from $49.95 for the Deluxe edition to $29.95. That does not include the cost to file your state taxes (important!). Additionally, TurboTax does offer a free federal edition and a Basic edition for $19.99; both require a 1040EZ form.
In general, I would recommend TurboTax to anybody who is considering doing their own taxes (more of us probably should) and taking the standard deduction. It’s a tool that makes a daunting and difficult task surprisingly easy and kind of fun.
Per the above point about taking the standard deduction, I can’t speak to anybody doing an itemized return — I’ve never had cause to go beyond the standard deduction — but there are a lot of bloggers and professional writers reviewing the product who can offer additional perspective. I’ve listed a few here:
MoneyCrashers 2011 Turbo Tax Review
CoupleMoney Turbo Tax Review and Giveaway
That concludes the review. My disclosure statement and further giveaway details follow.
REVIEW DISCLOSURE: I received a free copy of TurboTax 2011 to review the product for The Budgeting Babe readers. I was in no way required to post a favorable commentary. In past years I have paid full price for use of TurboTax. Given that I was already an enthusiastic TurboTax user, I was happy to review the product.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
How to use code:
1) Prepare your tax return online at TurboTax.com using TurboTax Deluxe 2011 2) In the Print and File section, when you get to the screen that says “You’re Almost Ready to File” click on the link at the bottom of the page that says “Have a pre-paid code? Enter it here.” 3) Enter the Pre-Paid Code above.
Terms and Conditions:
This code is redeemable at TurboTax.com and good for one free federal + state preparation and e-file with TurboTax Deluxe Online 2011. This code can only be redeemed once and is only valid through the 2011 tax season. Codes may not be redeemed for cash and are not for resale. Lost or stolen codes/cards will not be replaced.
Category: Money
Tags: taxes
Comments
11 Responses to “TurboTax Giveaway!”
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February 26th, 2012 @ 4:06 pm
Turbo Tax has never failed me!
February 26th, 2012 @ 4:59 pm
I like to win free stuff!
February 26th, 2012 @ 6:19 pm
I work as an accountant in industry and have always prided myself in preparing our itemized tax returns by hand. Last year, frustrated with how to account for a small capital gain we received from one of our investments, I decided to use Turbo Tax. I loved it. It is so easy to use and time saving. Plus, it accounted for an additional $800 tax credit I hadn’t been aware of. The only down side was the program was pricier than I expected, around $70. I’ve already purchased and used the deluxe addition for this year. It cost me $53.10 at Best Buy with a 10% off coupon. I was disappointed to learn it will cost me an additional 19.95 to file with my state; I can print the forms and mail them for free though and is probably what I will do. I did love the program just as much this year as I did last.
February 26th, 2012 @ 7:43 pm
This would make doing my taxes so easy this year!
February 27th, 2012 @ 8:26 am
I love(d) Turbo Tax, but recently switched over to H&R Block’s online prep because of the higher cost of Turbo Tax. I would love to go back (especially for FREE – what could be better)!
February 27th, 2012 @ 9:16 am
I have never used anything but turbo tax, and. It has been great every time.
February 27th, 2012 @ 3:07 pm
thanks for the chance
family74014 at gmail dot com
February 28th, 2012 @ 11:50 am
I enjoy doing my own taxes.
March 2nd, 2012 @ 5:03 am
I could so use this, I’m behind! Good Luck to everyone!
, Meo
mercy.eo.cuenca@gmail.com
March 2nd, 2012 @ 5:25 pm
LINDSAY W IS THE WINNER! I will get to notifying her.
March 4th, 2012 @ 5:46 pm
THANK YOU!! I got married in 2011, and doing taxes is bound to be much more complicated. Hopefully this will ease the pain a bit! Thanks again!!
