very disappointing
My mother worked for H&R Block for many years, so I have no personal problem with them.

I have not used the 2004, but I just quit working on the 2002 edition. I got halfway through my return (20 hours work) and I finally quit. The numbers were incorrect, but I did not notice until the last few entries.

I have rental properties and, even though I entered the information where it belonged, it somehow got transferred elsewhere. All of my real estate taxes got moved from where they belonged to form A. Entering the information directly onto the tax forms required me to override every single step (3 mouse clicks, I think?). Also, I was not able to go to help and figure out what my standard mileage cost was, so it took me considerable time to go through their mileage dialogue boxes when all I wanted was standard mileage.

I had used Turbo Tax in previous years and was not unhappy with them; however, I had heard that Turbo Tax put spyware on the computer, and that it was difficult to install on more than one computer, so I decided to opt for a change. TaxCut was cheaper, and I figured there would really be no difference (I used Parson's tax software years ago and liked them until they stopped making that program). Anyway, at least for year 2002, TaxCut is much worse than Turbo Tax and Parson's old tax program. The big problem is, it puts information in the wrong place; and I have been doing my own taxes for 20 years, so it is not a mistake which I am making.

I downloaded TaxAct just a moment ago; it is cheaper than either turbo tax or taxcut, and so far, it behaves just like it is supposed to. I have been entering some info by their prompts and other info directingly onto the tax forms, and, except for the fact that the auto-save requires me to hit the hardreturn every time, other than that, I really like TaxAct. It is functioning exactly how it is supposed to. Furthermore, I have entered in a couple of properties and printed it out, and everything is going where it belongs.

Fed Ok, States Not
The Federal program worked ok for me, though the interface is a bit clunky. However, the MD state program has some minor glitches, and the WV state program doesn't handle part-year residents, which of course I didn't know until I fired it up at the last minute...

cut out this software -- find something else!
I wrote a nice long review but as it happens my computer shut down before the review was submitted. However, I'm going to do it again here because I don't want you to waste your time like I wasted mine on this software this year, my first year doing my own taxes.

My main beefs --

- Rebate process was probably more annoying than if I had read the IRS detailed tax instructions.
- DeductionPro is useless; didn't even install it since I just took the standard deduction they give you instead of itemizing.
- Videos are annoying; you can't fast forward or rewind. I also felt like I was being talked down to or needlessly being sold on the software I had already purchased ("alternative minimum tax is way complicated, but don't worry, we'll help you out!")
- Useless questions that could be automated away. For example, why do I need to tell the software what 1040 form I want to use? Isn't that the point of the software?
- Lack of question explanation in the text. For example, how am I supposed to figure out if I have Hope or lifetime learning or deduction credit? If I wanted to look at detailed documentation or find an online reference, I wouldn't have bought the software.
- Ads of the H&R Block tax advisor service and all the other extra junk they try to sell you. Ask yourself, what's their incentive for making the questions and question flow clear if their intention is to sell you on the extras if you're confused.

And the straw that broke the camel's back and led me to another online service (free and better!) --

- Huge bug where it deducted my Roth IRA contribution. I didn't know much about the tax system but one of the things I did know is that Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible. I considered filing an official complaint against the software, but am sick of dealing with it so this review will have to do.

About the only thing that didn't make the software completely worthless was that I did my state tax return with it. The online service I used for federal didn't have the part-year resident form I needed for my state. Even then I made sure to double check the numbers it spewed out since I had lost trust in the software's accuracy.

I had thought that the H&R Block name would've been an advantage in accuracy, etc. But really, I feel like the software's existence is to make people migrate toward their brick-and-mortar professionals. Also, it's no wonder the software has bugs if the IRS forms themselves were not yet finalized when the software was released (an online update of the software is required). Although, to be fair, the accuracy problems I entered both upped my refund; at the risk of getting audited!

Bottom Line:

If you're really lazy -- pay a tax professional or bribe a knowledgeable friend.

If you're medium lazy -- go with an online service or the other popular software package

If you're willing to spend time learning about taxes (for future benefit e.g. to optimize refunds, catch software mistakes) -- go directly to the IRS instructions and consider doing double checking and e-filing with an online service.

Tax Cut Premium
I have used this product frequently. This is the first time (and the last time because we will not order it again) WE HAVE USED PREMIUM.

For a simple return it is great!This product is TAX CUT PREMIUM!
It has all the bells and whistles according to the desriptions- Right ! If you have a more complicated return.....:

1. The software may not directly support input with their tax information. The info is canned and pasteurised for Mr. Joe or Jolene average. But you have assistance !
2. The $9.95 help claims that anything not on their interveiw is "TAX ADVICE"!.. KACHING... GO TO TAX ADVISOR FOR TWENTY FIVE BUCKS.!!YOU HAVE A COUPON TO BOOT.
3. Tax Advisor?? Spend half a day awaiting a callback on three occasions and receive the same answer three times ; "unable to contact client. Try again.

OK H&R block is in the tax prep business...now do you get the picture?

Good job on IRA,s and Stocks
I found this program to be easy to use. Their interview style walks you right through, you don't even know you are preparing a tax return. I especially like the way it will take you right to the actual Form and show you the worksheets on how they arrive at decisions. Tax Cut showed me that we could make an $1850 traditional IRA contribution for my wife that we thought was disallowed. I also liked the way it held my hand through the capital gains, 1099, and stock buy/sell recording. It lets you skip around, go back and forth. Viewing the actual worksheets that TaxCut uses to compute the values that get entered on the 1040 was a little difficult. I had to contact their tech support to find the long term tax computations. I initially contacted them through thier on-line chat, but my browser crashed, not their fault. I then emailed my question and they responded the next day. The info was there, I hadn't scrolled down enough. All-in-all, the tax prep portion was excellent, checking the calculations took a little getting used to the software. I will be buying this next year.