Product Description

From 1040EZ to Schedule C, get everything you need with the new H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal+State! With all the features and forms included in last year's Deluxe and Premium, TaxCut Premium Federal+State includes step-by-step guidance customized to your unique needs, plus the convenience of both federal and state tax software in one purchase.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2479 in Software
• Brand: H&R Block
• Model: 1036600-06
• Released on: 2006-11-15
• Platforms: Windows Me, Windows XP, Mac, Windows 98, Windows 2000
• Format: CD-ROM
• Number of items: 1

Features

• All the features and forms included in last year's Deluxe and Premium
• The convenience of both federal and state tax software in one purchase
• Step-by-step guidance customized to your unique needs
• Backed by the experienced tax professionals at H&R Block
• Worry-free Audit Support - H&R Block is there to help in the rare event of an audit

Amazon.com
From 1040EZ to Schedule C, get everything you need with the new H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal+State! With all the features and forms included in last year’s Deluxe and Premium, TaxCut Premium Federal+State includes step-by-step guidance customized to your unique needs, plus the convenience of both federal and state tax software in one purchase.

Seamless Integration
Find every feature and form from last year’s Deluxe and Premium in just one program, plus the convenience of both federal and state tax software in one purchase. TaxCut seamlessly imports your data from last year’s TaxCut or TurboTax, as well as Quicken, and Microsoft Money.

Step-by-step guidance customized to your unique needs

Federal and state tax software in one purchase

Backed by Professionals
TaxCut is the only do-it-yourself tax program backed by the experienced tax professionals at H&R Block, America’s largest tax services company. H&R Block TaxCut: The ease you want. The accuracy you expect. Guaranteed.

Accurate Calculations Guaranteed
If TaxCut makes a calculation mistake, we'll pay resulting IRS penalties plus interest. See the license agreement for details.

TaxCut Software Guarantee:
If you're not completely satisfied with H&R Block TaxCut, return it within 60 days of your purchase and we’ll refund the purchase price, less shipping, handling, sales tax and any rebate you receive on the software. See easy start card included with software for details.

Estate Planning Empowerment
Includes complimentary copy of WILLPower software with valuable estate planning guidance and legal documents.

Interactive Video Library
Make sense of changing tax laws and achieve maximum deductions.

Extension Interview
Included with any federal TaxCut Software purchase.

Kiplinger's Tax and Financial Planning Library Make the most of your money with tax and financial information.

IRS Publications
View the most up-to-date IRS publications.

Schedule C Features
Extra help with depreciation, business expenses and home deductions.

Investor Assistance
Quickly determine the true cost basis for stocks, bonds, or mutual funds and tax consequences associated with company incentives and employee stock.

Additional Tools for Home Owners
Assistance with mortgage deductions and capital gains tax liability when selling a home.

Worry-free Audit Support Features IRS Correspondence Management H&R Block will assist with all communication that is initiated by the IRS/State Department of Revenue(s) Audit Preparation H&R Block will provide detailed information regarding how to prepare for an audit, and extend an offer for an H&R Block Enrolled Agent to represent you in the event an audit.* Audit Representation An H&R Block Enrolled Agent guides you through what to expect during the audit, attends the audit with you and helps you manage the entire audit experience.

Worry-Free Audit Support
Rest easy knowing H&R Block is there to help in the event of an audit. From outlining what to expect and providing guidance on how to prepare for an audit, to having an H&R Block Enrolled Agent represent you before the IRS upon your request, H&R Block can help you manage the process.

How It Works:
1. Successfully e-file* your individual resident income tax return (federal or state) using TaxCut or TaxCut Online (with paid federal return) and you are eligible to receive audit support at no additional charge for your 2005 return.
2. Retain your e-file confirmation email for Worry-free Audit Support confirmation.
3. If you receive a notice from the IRS or State Department of Revenue or are audited, H&R Block will provide you with assistance with the notice and/or offer to provide you with an H&R Block Enrolled Agent to represent you if you are audited.*
4. Call 1-800-HRBLOCK to initiate audit services that you may need. Conditions apply. View the complete terms and conditions for details.

Questions & Answers:
Q. Can I do my taxes by hand and then sign up for Worry-free Audit Support?
A. No. H&R Block Worry-free Audit Support is only offered for returns e-filed with an H&R Block Digital Tax Product.

Q. Who will benefit using Worry-free Audit Support?
A. Those clients who want no surprises after filing their taxes. It's a smart way to make sure you're covered no matter how complex your tax situation. The benefits of Worry-free Audit Support will be invaluable in the event that you need representation because the IRS questions your tax return.

Q. What is an Enrolled Agent?
A. Enrolled Agents are tax professionals who have demonstrated special competence in tax matters and can represent taxpayers before the IRS. Enrolled Agents do not provide legal representation, signed Power of Attorney required. Void where prohibited.

Q. What are the services offered with Worry-free Audit Support?

* Enrolled Agents do not provide legal representation, signed Power of Attorney required. Void where prohibited.

Customer Reviews

Let's not all rush to Turbo-Tax just yet
I used to be VERY happy with TurboTax, going back to the DOS days. I'm finally giving it up due to increasingly frequent tech problems over the last few years.

Before you switch from Tax Cut, compare the prices: they want $45 for Fed+State; Tax Cut wants $30. NEITHER product includes free filing for tax year 2006.

Macintosh support from Tax Cut (apparently missing last year) is back, and others have reviewed it under this product.

Current Turbo Tax users (tax year 2006) are reporting that they are unable to import from prior-year Tax Cut, nor do the Turbo Tax specs say they can.

If you are installing Turbo Tax on a Windows 98 machine, your installation will immediately abort & it will print out instructions for mailing the product back to them for a refund in 8 weeks.

Footnote/suggestion for those wanting to save money: Just buy the basic package, then file on paper; if you file paper in February/March, before the rush, your refund comes back in about 10 days--almost as fast as with e-file. Then do your state return by hand: most state returns are a page or two with numbers taken right off the federal form; just use your prior-year return as a guide if you get stuck.

Unable to import data and poor customer service
Seeing how Turbotax increased their prices this year I thought I'd save myself a few bucks by trying TaxCut Premium Federal+State for the first time. The box says it is compatible with Mac OS X and will import data from last year's TurboTax returns so I gave it a try.

I installed the program on my Mac and opened it to start my return. I have a fairly complex return so importing last year's data is a helpful timesaver. Unfortunately, after many attempts I was never able to import anything, not even my name. I called their customer service and tried all kinds of solutions to no avail. They said someone from their "escalation team" would contact me within 24-48 hours. Eight days later there was no news from them so I called back. They had no record of my case and I had to go through the whole explanation all over. Once again their rep had no clue how to fix the problem and gave me a phone number to call for further assistance or a refund.

I called the number and once again no case number! A third round of explanations with another service rep and his manager followed with no solution and no money back. Now I must wait for someone in their "escalation team" to contact me a fourth time but they will not provide a timeframe for the call.

The delays in response, their inability to track a case number, their weak product knowledge and their reluctance to provide a refund after this much hassle make this a poor product in my opinion.

UPDATE:

A quick update for fairness' sake on my review. Three weeks after my first attempt to use TaxCut I finally figured out what went wrong.

It turns out TaxCut cannot import TurboTax files with password access. I had to disable the password setting on last year's Turbotax and was then able to import data. The second reason I could not import last year's files is because two different customer service reps told me the file had to end in .t05 and NOT .tax. Well, as it turns out, the latter file is the one that works. A line or a note about this on the "Import last years data" screen would have saved a lot of hassles.

I have not finished my return yet but so far the software seems reasonably good. Turbotax seems to have more resources handy if you don't understand a question (IRS instructions, their own take, etc.) and TurboTax also imports data from brokerages which is helpful.

(TaxCut on a Mac OS X Panther user).

Sneaky price increase
This year they stopped paying for the federal online "e-file" - worth $15. So have the other guys, but... now that they know you're hooked on efiling, they've quietly removed that benefit.
I think the federal government should pay us for doing all the data entry for them!