Turbo Tax + Quicken 2003, less than $10 AR

[SimMike2]

This is a standard deal every year: Buy Turbo Tax and find a $30 rebate for the lastest basic version of Quicken 2003 in the box. The best deal right now is to use one of the famous Office Depot $15 off $50 coupons (just check FW to find this link.) So my final cost is:

$20 for Turbo Tax
$30 for Quicken 2003
-15 coupon
=$35
-30 Quicken rebate (very reliable and fast rebates)
=$5 final cost

Of course you will pay tax in many places. I got my total over $50 because I needed some paper and stuff, so shipping is free. Not sure if you get free shipping if you get over $50 before the coupon or after.

Turbo Tax usually has an additional rebate for e-filing your taxes. Last year I did this and my tax refund was in my checking account inside of two weeks.

I'm sure there will probably be some "free after rebate" deals in the next few weeks, so let me know if you can top my deal.

 

[cruzer]

Thank you.

 

[Growltiger]

Thanks! You're right about all the FAR deals on tax software coming up. Maybe we should start an official thread listing all of them.

 

[manly]

Does Quicken Basic offer an upgrade rebate?

Quicken Deluxe has a $20 upgrade rebate (very easy to submit proof of upgrade). Intuit retail boxed software usually has two proofs of purchase cut-outs on the box. While Deluxe will end up costing more than Basic, can you submit both this $20 upgrade rebate and the $30 Turbotax/Quicken bundle rebate?

Finally, the deal can be sweetened if you want any of the free after rebate software offers that's typical with Turbotax/Quicken this time of year. For example, right now Staples is offering Norton Antivirus, McAfee VirusScan, and other titles for FAR. Personally, I don't really want any of that stuff so your deal is looking pretty good. I would be surprised if Office Depot doesn't have similar free after rebate software, if not currently then sometime in the near future.

A great alternative is when one of the gray-market OEM software houses has a deal on Quicken Suite. Here's one example for last year's software.

 

[Bad Dude]

What's the difference between Basic and Deluxe Turbo Tax?
Thanks.

 

[SinfulWeeper]

Originally posted by: Bad_Dude
What's the difference between Basic and Deluxe Turbo Tax?
Thanks.

One costs more than the other.

 

[Growltiger]

Originally posted by: Bad_Dude
What's the difference between Basic and Deluxe Turbo Tax? Thanks.

I think the biggest difference is that Deluxe includes a free TurboTax state product. Based on the Intuit site, it appears that the Deluxe has more tutorials and cost saving guides that aren't found in basic.

 

[LizReed]

Cool.

 

[SinfulWeeper]

I think that about sums it up. Many years ago I purchased the Deluxe version, and it saved me no money over a test I did with the basic. My guess would be the deluxe is more targeted towards business'

 

[ULI]

Although it costs $10 more, the deluxe version is the way to go since you get the state tax version FREE after MIR. Usually the state version alone costs about $25-$30. Also, the deluxe version allows you to file your fed tax return electronically for FREE. That's another savings of $12.95.

 

[SinfulWeeper]

Originally posted by: ULI
Although it costs $10 more, the deluxe version is the way to go since you get the state tax version FREE after MIR. Usually the state version alone costs about $25-$30. Also, the deluxe version allows you to file your fed tax return electronically for FREE. That's another savings of $12.95.

Ahh... I never thought about that. There is no state tax in Alaska.

 

[Tigger2k]

I have filed for the last two years electronically with only using the Basic version of Turbo Tax. There has been a rebate certificate in the package each year to get your 12.95 back. I have had no problems with this either.

 

[Growltiger]

Originally posted by: ULI
Although it costs $10 more, the deluxe version is the way to go since you get the state tax version FREE after MIR. Usually the state version alone costs about $25-$30. Also, the deluxe version allows you to file your fed tax return electronically for FREE. That's another savings of $12.95.

The e-filing is FAR for both the Deluxe and the Basic, so on that point they are equivalent.

 

[SimMike2]

I'm lucky in that Washington state doesn't have an income tax, so all I need is the basic version of Turbo Tax.

 

[ChrisHagwood]

Originally posted by: Growltiger

The e-filing is FAR for both the Deluxe and the Basic, so on that point they are equivalent.

If you can get TT for less than $10, with free e-filing, that's great. But, I used www.taxactonline.com last year and got printed returns for free and e-filed them for $8 bucks each...no rebates, no hassles.

The IRS is accepting free e-filing this soon, but I don't know the details. Maybe taxact will be even cheaper or free for e-filing in 2003?

EDIT: Details on Free e-Filing

 

[Chang10is]

Originally posted by: ULI
Although it costs $10 more, the deluxe version is the way to go since you get the state tax version FREE after MIR. Usually the state version alone costs about $25-$30. Also, the deluxe version allows you to file your fed tax return electronically for FREE. That's another savings of $12.95.

I got the deluxe version last year for the reason of getting the state tax software version for free after MIR, but the state version came out really late. I can't remember if I ended up getting it, come to think of it... anyhow, just something to keep in mind. I believe the state versions don't come out until February or so--that's how it was in Virginia, at least.

 

[tchinhe]

I guess TT and TC are pretty much the same except the activation thing for TT.

 

[Henny]

You shouldn't use Turbotax.

The silly activation scheme is causing lots of install problems and it leaves a nasty virus like utility behind even when it's uninstalled. Forget about using multiple systems to do your taxes and you could also have problems down the road if you ever get audited and have to reinstall the SW. (it's tied to the exact HW configuration).

Tax's are headache enough let alone all these SW problems.

Taxcut is much better and cheaper.

 

[Ipno]

TurboTax however will only let you ever print your returns from one PC. If you have to install it on another PC you have to buy a whole new license if you wish to print.

Read about it here.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Also, check your local state tax web site Many states now allow you to file electronically for free. (MD and MA have this free tax S/W feature.) The data must be entered by hand though.

The benefit of using a commercial tax product is that the data is automatically picked up from the Fed entries.

However, check other threads in S/W and OT regarding Turbotax.

 

[DrPizza]

Before installing or purchasing turbo tax, read this other thread at AT here:
Do not buy turbo tax this year thread

Seems to be some uproar over TT, since if you buy a new computer, or reformat your hard drive (I still use win98, and have to reformat from time to time), you'll need to pay for a new license to use TT. That's to protect *you*, so that your data is secure (or some line of bs like that)
Also, it installs software (not spyware as suggested) that runs in the background on your computer, even if you uninstall TT. (To monitor your records and not let other software access it for your protection.)

Not to thread crap, because I've used TT for years (until this year), but some of you, especially those who buy or build new computers and want to be able to print out those old tax records if they're ever needed (and, they sometimes are.).

 

[Bowfinger]

I've also used TurboTax for years, but no more. It uses Macrovision's C-Dilla as part of its copy protection. Some people have reported that C-Dilla is spyware. It runs all the time, not just when you're using TT. If you try to disable C-Dilla, it restarts automatically the next time you boot. If you try to remove it, your system won't boot any more. All in all, this is way more hassle than it's worth. TaxCut sounds like a much better choice.

There was also a thread about this on Slashdot earlier this week.

 

[FOBioPatel]

here

:disgust::|:Q:frown:

 

[db]

Macromedia's program is also used to "protect" from copying CDs. So if you are trying to back up certain CDs for your own use, it may prevent your burner from working, since this program is left on your computer even after uninstalling TT. And it's usually hidden.

OTOH, some of you may be surprized to discover that you already have this program on your computer if you use certain CADs or Graphics programs, or even if you installed Mech Paks.

 

[TDF]

I don't remember seeing this when I looked at Intuit's FAQ a few days ago. "Note: The product activation requirement for TurboTax 2002 will be waived starting October 16, 2003, allowing anyone to reinstall the CD-ROM on any computer without needing to reactivate the product. " Intuit Activation FAQ