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7.6

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: March 22nd, 2024

TurboTax is a leader in the tax prep industry. It is secured with bank-level encryption, multi-factor authentication, TLS technology, Dedicated Security tax, risk assessment/audits, and limited access to data. This ensures the utmost security for customers. 

TurboTax's software comes with audit defense, and the company offers 100 percent accurate calculations guaranteed with the service. Customers can file taxes with TurboTax on tablets, mobile devices (apps for Android and iOS), online, or through CD-software.

TurboTax is part of the larger Intuit company. This is a software firm that emphasizes financial, accounting, small business, and tax-related programs. It is built around small business and individual software needs and is currently one of the S&P 500.

TurboTax began in the 1980s when two software designers in the Silicon Valley area of California began to look at ways of creating computer software that could eliminate the drudgery of "pen and paper" accounting practices. This led to the birth of "Quicken" bookkeeping software and a rapid expansion of other small business and tax-related products. 

By the late 1990s, the company was a major force in software and was able to offer QuickBooks, TurboTax, and web-based components. Today, the company is worth more than $4 billion and is considered one of the finest software producers in the world.

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The Good

  • Guarantees
  • Easy to Fill Out
  • Automatic Suggested Deductions
  • Automatic Information Retrieval
  • Mobile App
  • Supported Forms

Guarantees

Essentially, the premise behind any version of TurboTax (whether for the individual, small business, etc.) is that it is going to walk the user through the process of completing their IRS and state tax documents. 

The software also finds all the potential deductions and credits that a taxpayer may qualify for. This means that there is very little risk of overlooking deductions or failing to report everything with accuracy. 

TurboTax provides a Maximum Refund Guarantee, an Audit Support Guarantee, a 100% Accuracy Guarantee, and a Satisfaction Guarantee. 

TurboTax offers free filing for simple tax forms. However, if you taxes are more complicated, you may have to pay a fee for using TurboTax's filling process. 

Customers who use the software don't have to pay until they receive their tax return. If a customer did not file with TurboTax, even if they started with the software, then there is no charge.

Taxpayers can elect to receive their tax refund via a direct deposit to their bank account.

TurboTax also promises people a maximum refund, as well as error checking all tax work before it is submitted to the IRS. 

If the company does make a mistake with the IRS, it will pay for any state penalties and interest. TurboTax's guarantees are helpful and are made to best help consumers.

Easy to Fill Out

The "step-by-step" filing process is done like an interview and offers explanations for each item as it appears. The questions are made to be very clear. The built-in "EasyGuides" offer detailed explanations for all major issues. 

There are also community forums that can direct someone to even further answers and information. 

Additionally, some of the advanced versions of the software will also provide professional tax advice from a tax expert around issues such as investments or business related questions. It even walks the user through such traditionally complex issues as depreciation, donations, cost basis in stocks, and special 401k tools.

Automatic Suggested Deductions

TurboTax automatically suggests deductions and credits to users. In fact, members have the ability to enter charity donations on-the-go with the TurboTax ItsDeductible app.

Automatic Information Retrieval

Because the software is able to automatically retrieve information from previous year's filings (when done using previous versions of the software), it can streamline the entire taxation process dramatically. It also pulls all necessary data from any linked versions of QuickBooks, and this means that individuals and businesses can speed up the entire tax return process while also eliminating risks of error.

Mobile App

TurboTax has a mobile app which makes doing taxes convenient. You can login and start where you left off anytime and anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're using your phone, tablet, or desktop; all your information will be saved.

Supported Forms

Free:

  • 1040A
  • 1040EX
  • Schedule B
  • Schedule EIC and More

Deluxe:

  • All Free Forms
  • 1040
  • Schedule A
  • Schedule C
  • Schedule CE

Premier/Home & Business:

  • All Deluxe Forms
  • Schedule D
  • Schedule E
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The Bad

  • Limited Information
  • Federal and State Prices
  • Customer Support

Limited Information

While TurboTax does readily give information on how to input charity locations on the main homepage, the website does not upfront offer information on other types of deductibles. However, these pop-up as customers go through the questionaire.

Federal and State Prices

TurboTax is not "cheap" software, and it does have additional fees for filing state returns online.

Federal Price:

  • Federal Free Edition - This product is ideal for simple tax returns and costs $0.
  • Deluxe - The Deluxe costs $34.99 and is meant to maximize one's tax deductions
  • Premier - For rental property and investments, this is the way to go. It costs $54.99.
  • Home and Business - This option is best for small business owners, and it costs $89.99.

State Price

  • Federal Free Edition - This product is ideal for simple tax returns and costs $0.
  • Deluxe - The Deluxe costs $36.99 per state and is meant to maximize one's tax deductions.
  • Premier - For rental property and investments, it costs $36.99 per state.
  • Home and Business - This option is best for small business owners, and it costs $36.99 per state.

Customer Support

TurboTax offers a couple of ways to get in touch with them:

  • Twitter: @TeamTurboTax
  • Live Chat: Live support is offered in programs to paying customers.

However, they do not offer support over the phone and through email. These are both popular forms of customer support and can be a big problem if customers are not familiar with social media or live chat options.

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The Bottom Line

In the end, many people choose TurboTax because of how well the software works.

The intuitive nature of the software, the use of the interview format, and the access to previous returns tend to keep people coming back year after year. 

There are also many other features that are built into the different packages that make this software a truly ideal solution, such as access to W-2 forms or 1099 forms that have been filed online. 

This sort of comprehensive access ensures one of the simplest methods for doing one of the most dreaded chores. 

While taxes can seem confusing at times. TurboTax provides access to answers given by tax professionals as well as a community forum. On these forums users can ask questions and have them answered by a TurboTax representative or tax professional. The library of resources is really effective and useful across the board. 

TurboTax is a well-recommended tax preparing company.

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Star Rating

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4.5

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918 Reviews

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64%

4 grade

25%

3 grade

7%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

3%

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Stef T Jamestown, NY

Very misleading fees!! By the time I e-signed and filed apparently I was charged for the deluxe package (which is only acceptable for single/no dependent people). This information should've been available to me from the very beginning, but was not. I will not be using this online service ever again. I thought I was saving money, instead I paid $40 more than where I usually go to get my taxes done. I even called and talked to a representative, which just informed me that she could not refund me for this money I didn't know I was being charged and that she was "sorry". Very disappointed in this false advertising and UNCLEAR information provided.

5 years ago

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Megan Englewood, FL

I have filed with and been loyal to TurboTax since 2011. This year while using the "Free" editon, I was being forced to upgrade to Deluxe in order to enter my 1098-E information. I have NEVER had to do this in the past. In order to avoid upgrading, I had to make a NEW account in the TurboTax "File Free" edition. This is extremely inconvenient and not-customer friendly as I now have two accounts and can't access previous tax returns from the new account. Now I'm receiving emails that I'm using a new account with a previous account on record. THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS. Get it together, TurboTax.

5 years ago

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Katie Roberts Port Orchard, WA

So done with Turbo Tax! Forced to upgrade after an hour of data entry. Thieves!! I have used TurboTax for many years now. Their online tax filing is supposed to be free but throughout the entire process they repeatedly try to upgrade you at some cost forcing you to decline over and over again the same services. I have put up with that for the free filing. This year they forced the issue. After struggling to get our info entered, There was over a $200 charge. I requested them to call me, suppose to take 10 mins to call back. After 24 hours I requested a call back again and got one. The rep was polite but could not explain the products and why the fees where so high or why they would not take fees out of my refund. I asked for a supervisoer and was told they are so busy they will call back in 24 hours. So we looked around and used FreeTaxUSA. It was easy to enter the info, we got the same refund and it only cost $40. A full 98% of TurboTax customers are unhappy with the services they provide. How bad are you as a company that only 2% actually like what you do? https://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/intuit_turbotax.html. Their negatives even within the BBB site is 97%. The only site that gives them a favorable rating above 3% is their own site. Hmmm can you say manipulated and fake?

7 years ago

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Thinh Vo Malden, MA

I used TurboTax to file my tax in 2015. I did my best to fill out all the information the website asked for. I even bought their audit service because they said it would help me to deal the IRS. I didn't have enough money to pay the tax in full, so I made a payment plan with the IRS. However, after 2 payments to the IRS, I got an audit letter from them showing that I still owe them the full amount of tax money. I was so frustrated since I already paid them half of the tax money so far. I contacted TaxAudit, the audit service that I bought with TurboTax, to help me out. I gave them all the required document. Then I got a call from an agent from TaxAudit. He told me he couldn't help me and ask me to contact with the IRS directly. Then I got another letter from the IRS that I still owed an extra amount of money besides the money I owed them. After getting so many audit letters from the IRS and useless help from audit service provided by TurboTax, I wouldn't trust TurboTax to file my tax again.

7 years ago

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Matt Harvey Chicago, IL

Paid my dues for the year, did my taxes, sent them in. But I got flaged and needed to review. IRS rejected my return. I fixed it and kept sending it in but it kept coming back. Turbo tax was no help at all. They had already billed my credit card for thier services and wouldn't help me fi d the problem as to why my return kept getting rejected. I finally went to HR Block. They not only fixed the problem but got me another 50 dollop my return. I won't use turbo any more. They never refunded my $375 either.

1 year ago

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Kat Humpston New Orleans, LA

I ordered my return on a card to my new house after moving out of state. I had used a local bank before and no matter what I did the bank would not close the account, let me access the account or stop incurring overages. turbo tax sent my return to the old bank instead of the prepaid card I ordered, and I lost hundreds of dollars. after many phone calls and hours on the phone turbo tax refuses to fix this. I have used them for years but they don't even follow up with my filed complaints. I am never usingb this service again, money is not safe with turbotax

4 years ago

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Ray Talley Savannah, GA

Terrible experience. They tried to sneak in $144 dollars of fees to there "free" filing. One of the fees was $40.00 for direct deposit and they wouldn't allow the refund to be a paper check instead of paying them. If you have a healthcare marketplace plan, you can't use the "free" filing. Then the package they want you to buy didn't include the state. Another 44.00 I went back to H&R Block.

4 years ago

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Anonymous Coeur d'Alene, ID

Don’t use the customer service sucks especially for their Pre paid card. I didn’t get my card in the mail when I was supposed to and when I called they said they would expedite it and then I called the day I was supposed to get it and got told that they sent it standard mail. And that there was nothing they could do and when I asked to speak to a supervisor I got told they would have to call me back even though I told them I couldn’t wait for that because I had to be at work I have had to call customer service 6 times now and all they did was say sorry.

5 years ago

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Trisha Ross DeWitt, MI

I used their online service and They messed it up badly. I don't like the way they have it set up and i don't like how they make you pay for it up front instead of letting you pay via refund. Never will I ever use TurboTax again...

2 years ago

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Phoenix Aurora, CO

Just did my taxes and was forced to buy a premium account when I was trying to avoid it. No confirmation of the amount I was paying - the website forced me to pay double what I would have for something I'm not even going to use. I hate this company.

4 years ago

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Ruth Aurora, CO

My free taxes turned into a $104 bill. Why you ask? Because i was on unemployment last year. That's right, because i was on unemployment, i only made $26,000, and it cost me more to do my taxes. I have used turbo tax my whole life. I will be using taxslyer from now on. Free unless you dont have any money. Pish, $104 for a $400 return.

4 years ago

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Hyrum Sandy, UT

Turbo Tax promises a free tax return every time, but once you start working though it, all these fees start popping out of nowhere. I'd recommend looking elsewhere. They get the job done, but I feel their advertising is dishonest.

6 years ago

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Ian Coleman Seattle, WA

Was very poorly treated by TurboTax. The system directed me to file a certain tax return, charged 38$. Turned out that they had me file the wrong tax return so now I not only have to file another one but I also have to file an amendment to undo the one they filed...and they refuse to give me a refund too. Shockingly bad way to treat a customer

7 years ago

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Thawkes2017 Saraland, AL

I thought for the longest that doing my own taxes was the best thing to do. That was until I was part of the Turbo Tax settlement because they had been overcharging me. Otherwise the process was simple.

1 year ago

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Shandra Shears Albuquerque, NM

Ive used them every year i file and generally do well but this year they charged 144$ for my taxes with no extras being bought, I'am now only getting 52$ for a return. What a joke nothing is free don't fall for it

4 years ago

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C Mitchell, SD

My return makes no sense. I got more last year when I didn't make as much. I hate TurboTax and I hate how they claim to be free when it's NOT, it's a joke and I'll never use it again. You guys SUCK

4 years ago

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jaci finch Corpus Christi, TX

Turbo tax as a tax website works okay, but they do everything they can so that people do not use the free service they provide for lower income persons. This is called Freefile. Note: TURBO TAX IS NOT FREE, FREE FILE IS FREE!!! they are scammers.

3 years ago

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Simone Woodbridge, VA

Customer service never gave me my money when I asked for refund for purchase on line, was told to delete the account and use new account from CD. It deleted my account information therefore even with receipts from CD and online purchases of tax program that I canceled were both charged on my card, spent over 300 dollars to do tax instead of 125.

3 years ago

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Rashida Laumatia Saint George, UT

Easier and Cheaper to go through someone else. When I tried to use TurboTax one year it said I owed. Went through another agency and all worked out. Didn’t cost me too much and I got my return fast.

5 years ago

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Eileen Rigsby TX

Turbo tax said I was eligible for free tax filing then ended up charging me multiple years in a row.

10 months ago

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tara West Jefferson, OH

Horrible, deceptive, horrible What was free no longer is, there are deceptive fees that are not explained. CHANGED DRAMATICALLY from 2018-2019

5 years ago

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Michael AZ Queen Creek, AZ

their program contained an erro a few years back and I ended up owing money plus interest. They did not respond to emails.

6 years ago

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Kjirstin Peterson West Jordan, UT

Tried turbo tax because it was "free", it ended up not being free after all. Plus H&R got me more money back.

3 years ago

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Three time customer Walhalla, SC

Limited options and the website is not setup properly.

6 years ago

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sandy silver

They screwed us and we had to file amended returns

6 years ago

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rd l San Francisco, CA

No customer support and very old fashioned tool

6 years ago

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Derek Barlow Oklahoma City, OK

Customer service isn't the greatest. For you pay product isn't worth it.

2 years ago Edited January 5, 2022