Tax Software 2009, 2010 Rankings

Several factors were used to determine the order of the following list. Price, ease of use, and additional hidden fees are the most important. Also considered, but less important, are: layout, research, audit services, and support.

1.) TurboTax: Depspite they have name recognition and charge heavy for it Intuit also offers TurboTax Federal Free Edition software, which is excellent.

2.) TaxAct: Low cost and ease of use cannot trump the multiple efforts to add to your preparation bill.

3.) RapidTax: Low cost, ease of use and the opportunity to file previous years played in ranking RapidTax third.

4.) TaxSlayer: Low cost is TaxSlayer’s biggest benefit. Concern over the software quality reduced the ranking a notch. Lack of a firm audit protection program hurt, too.

5.) EZTaxReturn: The opportunity to earn money on referrals coupled with reasonable cost is EZTaxReturn’s biggest advantage.

6.) TaxBrain: High cost, but a compelling audit protection program. Doubtful TaxBrain will pay many tax assessments from an audit.

7.) CompleteTax: Average program and fee is a little high, but nice financial calculators and research resources.

8.) TurboTax: The two biggest are also the biggest disappointment. TurboTax is cheaper than HRBlock/TaxCut, but still has a very high price with invasive attempts to add to an already bloated fee. They have name recognition and charge heavy for it. Software is excellent if you have the time to wade through the endless sales pitches.

9.) HRBlock/TaxCut: Easily the worst tax preparation offer on the Net. Their price is so high you are better off visiting a local CPA and having it done for you. The effort to add to the already high bill adds more time to your tax filing effort. Solid program if you don’t throw your computer out the window first. Name recognition allows HRBlock to charge the way they do. Not worth the headaches or cost.

10.) 1040.com Ease of use, low cost, and no hard-sell on bank products, makes 1040.com the best. They don’t advertise. They are supported by a network of over 28,000 professional tax preparers nationwide.