We got all the way to the end, completed some error corrections and then lost EVERYTHING. We went back to the beginning and worked all the way through - again!
The program is the easiest and best organized that I have seen. I had a bad experience with another software where they ignored an error which they caused. You do so many checks that mistakes are almost impossible. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Pros: Easy to install, Easy to fix issues, Easy to prepare, Maximizes refund, Easy to import, Fast
I have used HR Block and its predecessor, TaxCut for many years. The interview usually takes care of most tax data entry tasks, and the import feature is nice, although not all W-2s, etc., are available to import. I had one difficulty this year. The first time homebuyer credit taken in 2008 and closed out this (2016) year due to sale of that home requires a form 5405, which the program identified, but it missed that there must be a separate form 5405 for each spouse even though it was a joint return (very strange rule in my opinion, but true when I went to the IRS instructions for form 5405). The program did not notify me, it indicated no errors or review comments, but when I e-filed it was rejected by the IRS because I only had one form 5405. I manually overrode the program to add a second form, calculated the values (the principal and repayments are cut in half for each spouse), e-filed the revision, and it was accepted.
Cons: Hard to fix issues
Pros: Easy to install, Easy to prepare, Maximizes refund, Easy to import, Fast
The software is not suitable for tax filers living outside the US. There is no form 8833 available, which is a very simple form, and the form 8938 is not implemented properly. There is no guidance to help fill in the form and the requirement to add a complete new 8938 form to add additional accounts is not the way it should be done - not the way the IRS implements "continuation sheets".
I have used online tax programs to e-file my return and those of two family members for many years (since e-filing has been available) and this is the first year I have ever had a return rejected b the IRS (and the code from the IRS offers no suggestion as to what is the error), and I will now have to mail the return.
I use this program every year, and it is user friendly. I like both the interview process as well as the ease of completing the tax return by individual worksheets & forms.
Pros: Easy to install, Easy to fix issues, Easy to prepare, Maximizes refund, Easy to import, Fast
I believe there is possible glitch in Basic program. When you start a new return, and on the Deductions screen, you check that you have mortgage interest, sales tax and real estate property taxes, the interview does not ask you about real estate property taxes. It skips this entirely. I did 2 different returns and both times I checked same deduction boxes and both times it skipped property taxes in the interview. I had to go around about way through Schedule A to get to it. After doing this the first time, the interview would ask about property taxes in subsequent iterations on the same return. But same problem on new return.
I also had trouble doing Updates. The update would be downloaded but would not be installed - nothing happened. I called customer support and after literally waiting on hold for 1 hour to speak to someone, and after trying to fix it for another 45 minutes, they gave up and had me uninstall program and sent me a link to reinstall it.