TurboTax Deluxe 2020 Desktop Tax Software, Federal and State Returns + Federal E-file [Amazon Exclusive] [PC/Mac Disc]

The Deluxe PC disk version with one state download is the subject of this review. br>br>2020 was a year to remember, and one I'm glad to see come to a close, despite having to deal with tax season once more. I've been using TT since around 2007, and I've been mostly satisfied with the software, with the exception of the issues Intuit caused with the 2014 version. br>br>I have one state and am using the Deluxe edition. I tried the Premier version many years ago because I thought I needed it for my investments, and before the ability to automatically import investment data, that might have been the best option. But, thanks to Deluxe's ability to automatically import investment data over the last few years, I've been happy with it. Unless you have some unique investment situations and aren't comfortable answering basic questions or can't automatically import your investment data from your bank or financial institution, you should be able to use TT Deluxe with no problems. br>br>Based on my initial use of the program, the 2020 version of TT Deluxe is essentially the same as the previous year's version with the same included forms, including the tax forms. DIV. Not all forms will be released until the new year, as they are every year. This isn't entirely Intuit's fault; they have to wait for the forms to be released by the federal and state governments. br>br>I like that Intuit doesn't make any major interface changes because the software is easy to use year after year because the functionality is the same. br>br>I installed TT with all of the latest TT updates installed. One issue that surfaced in last year's version has reappeared in this year's version, albeit in a more pronounced form. Intuit no longer posts its update history log, or at the time of my review, there was no update history on its website or in its vague. This year, the update links in the TT program have been completely removed. Why is it necessary to conceal the bugs that are being addressed? Users should be aware of which bugs are being fixed and which forms are being added or corrected, in my opinion. Or perhaps Intuit has had enough of users criticizing the numerous bug fixes that occur each year from January to August, and has decided to remove the history log permanently. Intuit began to be sloppy with updating the history log in 2018, skipping some updates entirely, so it appears that they have decided to do away with it permanently. It is critical for users that Intuit restores your detailed update history rather than some hazy posting. br>br>Like last year and 2018, Intuit no longer supports Windows XP, Windows 7, and you'll need Windows 8 or higher with 2020. If you're still running Windows XP or an older operating system and want to use TT for your taxes, you should probably go to the TT tax website rather than trying to install this disk-based software. software that is based on the internet TT doesn't really install or load quickly, especially when updating the software after the initial install, so the installation on my Windows 10 computer went smoothly, albeit slowly, as TT is known to do with no issues. If you're having trouble installing Windows 10, try installing as an administrator. I've seen some problems with that in the last few years. When I hit the launch button on the initial install and update, the software did not launch and instead closed, the same bug that I had last year has reappeared. After that, I started the program from the TT desktop icon and had no problems. br>br>Like last year, Intuit includes an activation key, which I assume is intended to prevent users from using the software more than five times. It is not a problem for me, but keep in mind that if you use this with a group of family members or friends, it will only activate 5 times before becoming unusable. br>br>I believe that Intuit intentionally creates confusion with their multiple versions and efforts to get you to upgrade to a more expensive version, as I have been complaining about for years. It isn't always necessary to upgrade to a more expensive version. I also dislike Intuit's proclivity for concealing additional fees, such as state download fees and e-commerce fees. Costs of filing, which I consider to be exorbitant. State e- It should be possible to file without charge. br>br>For the past few years, my tax situation has remained largely unchanged. My tax situation includes investments/mutual funds, which the deluxe version easily handles, especially if you use the online interface to automatically interface with your bank or investment company, which was added around 2013. br>br>TT has the ability to download and import your investment data into the program directly. Intuit tries to make it appear as if you need to upgrade your stocks and investments software when, in most cases, you don't. Because everyone's tax situation is different, you might want to get the premier or home/business version if you have a unique tax or investment situation. For most standard investment stuff, I've found that the Deluxe version works just fine. br>br>I recommend getting the Deluxe version and then upgrading to a higher version if you have any issues with the investment portion or have other specific needs. I'll say it again: I believe TT should have a Home/Business version (for those who own businesses) and a version for everyone else (with and without a state). The consumer will be confused by multiple versions with only a few additional features. br>br>Intuit's offer is the same as last year's: a one-year subscription to Quicken 2020. Since Quicken was sold, it no longer works for three years as it once did (it is now a yearly over-payment). I don't think it's a particularly good deal. I have an older version of Quicken Deluxe, and the deal prevents me from upgrading it; it's either the starter version or nothing. You must access the deal from within the TT software and download from the link on the TT software home page if you want to get the Quicken starter version. However, you should expect to pay a yearly subscription fee for software that hasn't changed significantly in many years. Update: I've discovered, as have others, that the deal's link does not work. It's not a big deal to me because my previous dissatisfaction with the fact that it's a yearly subscription means that this offer is already lacking. Update 2: The date is 8 January 2021. The link for Quicken's overpriced subscription software is now available with the most recent update. Update 3: The date is January 24, 2021. The link has been broken for a second time since the most recent update. br>br>In terms of price, I waited until the end of December, when the price dropped to 39. Unless you have a pressing need for it before then, I recommend waiting for the price drop, which usually happens right before the end of December/beginning of January. I also took advantage of the day after Christmas sale, which netted me a ten-dollar Amazon gift card. br>br>While there are some tax changes this year, the basic software functions essentially the same as it does every year. TT appears to have a number of bugs that appear with each new version of TT, though I can't tell what's being fixed or not this year because they've hidden the update log. Keep in mind that in previous years, the average number of patches and updates was around 45 to 55. Of course, some of the fixes are tax form updates or the addition of new IRS forms, but there are also program updates, as there have been in previous years. I'm concerned, as in previous years, that Intuit will continue to issue program updates after the April tax deadline. I'm willing to give Intuit a pass on the tax changes that may cause some issues, but it worries me that they have software bugs year after year and then decide to hide what they're fixing. br>br>I hold off on filing until several weeks into tax season to ensure that the majority of the software updates and bugs have been worked out, as well as that all of the necessary forms have been installed. Due to my investments, I also postpone filing. If you have investments or mutual funds, it's also a good idea to wait a few weeks into the new year because, depending on which investment company you use, 1099-MISC forms may be required. Around late February or early March, DIV information is updated with adjusted totals, which can drastically change your tax totals if you file too early. This happened to me many years ago when I was overly enthusiastic. Fortunately, there will be no shutdown this year, so most forms should arrive on time according to the schedule posted on Intuit's website. br>br>However, I will continue to complain about the higher cost of e-filing. The cost of filing with the state (currently $25) should, in my opinion, be included in the purchase price. Intuit defends this by claiming that printing is free, which I find ridiculous in today's electronic world. Furthermore, if you must file taxes in more than one state, you must pay an additional fee (currently $40) to download each state's forms, which I believe is excessive. br>br>Update: In March of 2021, This year, I have a new complaint, which has to do with my 1099-MISC. DIV, because the sale category of short or long term covered on my funds was not automatically imported as it had been in previous years, I had to manually add it. I'm not sure if this is a bug or if Intuit changed it on purpose to entice you to upgrade to the Premier version. If that's the case, it's a bit devious. If you only have a few funds, this may not be a big deal, but I had nearly 200 with multiples of the same fund, and for some reason, TT randomly lists the information instead of putting it in the order that my bank has it, which means I have to go through each one with a ruler and highlighter to find it and then add the information to each one. If I may say so, it's a tad inconvenient. Furthermore, the description box in the edit screen for each fund is so small that you can't read the entire fund, necessitating the use of the main DIV funds page to locate the fund and then editing and checking to double-check it. That fund description box needs to be expanded by Intuit so that it is readable. In any case, Intuit has created some unnecessary work, either inadvertently or on purpose. br>br>Despite my complaints, TT is a more cost-effective option for me than the major tax retailers, despite the fact that TT's prices have been steadily rising in recent years. As I previously stated, the TT interface is essentially the same and hasn't changed much over the last few years. br>br>This year, I was fortunate to catch the day after Christmas sale, with TT being 39 dollars and including a $10 gift card. br>br>As I previously stated, the TT interface is essentially the same and hasn't changed much over the last few years. Even though I have issues with Intuit, I appreciate how the software guides you through the various steps to ensure that your taxes are completed correctly. It's quick and simple, and the software has never failed me when it comes to filing my taxes. br>br>As in previous years, I've seen the occasional bug that pops up now and then, but it's mostly happened with the error checks when it's verifying that you don't have any errors. Fortunately, there have been no errors in the calculations. br>br>One potential bug I noticed last year is that the software asks for the activation key again after each program update. br>br>Intuit should bring back their update history log and make sure it is detailed with what is fixed/changed/added, etc. br>br> It didn't appear to mess up the registration count, and I haven't seen that happen yet in this year's version, but I recommend keeping the case with the key after installation in case you need it later. There is no easy way to report bugs to Intuit this year, as there has been in previous years. I'm not sure why Intuit isn't able to include a bug report button in the software or on their website. No one wants to spend time on the phone simply reporting a potential bug. Update: 15th of January 2021 The activation key bug has reappeared in the most recent update, so keep your key and box safe. br>br>I have had bad luck with Intuit's tech support in the past; last year, I had trouble importing my Chase bank interest. After spending two hours on the phone with customer service, it was discovered that Intuit had not yet received permission to access the Chase website, despite the fact that it was mid-day. It was a difficult month in March. Intuit had made no effort to make that information public, despite the fact that it affects not only Chase, but also Vanguard and others. This was supposed to be resolved by March 10, 2020, but it was never done. br>br>As a result, I'm crossing my fingers that this year's Chase interface will go smoothly. I'll have to wait and see if it's a problem again this year because Chase's forms aren't ready yet. If that issue resurfaces this year, I'll update my assessment. br>br>March 2021 Update: The 1099-K is a type of tax return that is issued by Chase The INT bug is still present, and you are unable to upload 1099-MISC. It is necessary to manually enter INT data. br>br>With the exception of 2014's major issues and 2019's interface annoyance between Intuit and Chase, I've been mostly satisfied with previous versions of TT Deluxe each year. So far, the 2020 version appears to be satisfactory, with the deluxe functionality remaining unchanged from the previous year. Because Intuit is fixing bugs in the software and updating forms, I recommend waiting a few weeks before filing to ensure that no major bugs affect your tax returns. Intuit also needs to restore the update log and links, as well as fix bank interface issues and respond to my complaints about hidden fees and versions, which have been ignored by the company for years. br>br>4 out of 5 br>br>br>br>br>br.

Atlas Goldstein

| Mar 14, 2021

Every year in early December, they put TurboTax on sale for a low price, and tens of thousands of copies are sold. The benefit of purchasing early is obvious: it is on sale, allowing you to save a significant amount of money. However, it is largely ineffective because no one receives their tax forms from their employer for at least a few months. However, reviews of software that is essentially useless until the IRS issues the final forms begin to pour in, and every year they are almost verbatim copies of the previous year's – how people have been using it since Lincoln was president and this year's is the worst, or that the company no longer answers their phone calls. So, here's what I have to say. I've been using it for quite some time, and I recently received my first 5. I bought a 25-inch floppy disk copy from the man who invented it, who happened to be one of our clients, and I've used it almost every year since then, with very few changes to what it does. How can there be, when all it does is fill in the government's forms, which are essentially the same for everyone, and it gives you some advice that you can accept or reject? This isn't a difficult task. And yes, from what I can tell, this year's version is nearly identical to previous years' versions, with a few minor differences. I don't buy this software to upgrade to newer versions; instead, I use it to complete a tedious task and keep track of it. And it does a good job at it, better than other similar brands that do essentially the same thing, in my opinion. TurboTax is the reason I started using it and have stuck with it all these years because it integrates well with Quicken, which was once owned by the same company. That is, in my opinion, a benefit. br>br>If you are one of the extremely few people who has never purchased this software before, stop reading reviews about it; no one else has the same tax situation as you, and the only way to find out if you like it is to buy it and try it. And if you've been using it for a long time, you're wasting ink by obsessing over minor differences when you already know you'll be buying it next year.

Leia Hood

| Jan 04, 2021

This was the second 2020 Turbo Tax program that I attempted to install/download on my new Dell laptop (both purchased from Amazon) recently (November 2020). All of the Turbo Tax installation requirements are met by my Dell laptop system. It's important to note that I've been using the Turbo Tax program for the past 6 years and have never had any issues with it installing on my computers. This time, as usual, I followed the program instructions to the letter: first, I downloaded all window updates; then, I shut down the firewalls and virus protection programs; and finally, I restarted the computer. ran the administrator permissions program, closed any open programs, and so forth. Finally, the tax program would not download in its entirety (whether from a disk or from the Internet). Instead, it would come to a halt/freeze when it reached the activation step/screen. It refused to proceed with the process and refused to accept the license code. Multiple times I've installed and reinstalled the program; The Turbo Tax repair mode was run after each restart. I tried calling Turbo Tax for help, but they were useless (they even advised me to make sure the computer was turned on and just follow the directions). Installed the program with the help of two computer experts (who are experts); They were unsuccessful in their attempts. They tried every trick they could think of, but they couldn't get the installation to work. This year's Turbo Tax program (2020) is without a doubt having problems. I looked up the problem on the internet and discovered that it was/is a common occurrence. After that, get the H. The R Block Tax program downloaded flawlessly on the first try. This is something that Turbo Tax should not allow. (I wish I could give it a negative rating instead of a one-star rating, but that isn't an option. ).

Carmen Moss

| Jan 01, 2021