H&R Block DeductionPro 2004

Rating:
Summary: Good for large deductions
Review: After getting it configured with all the specs it needs (charity names, etc), easy to use and acurate. I took a sample list of what it has into my local Goodwill store and prices were pretty accurate for clothing and more so for furniture.

I would say one could do the same by walking through a charity shop to place the value on donated goods but if one does not have a local shop or the time then pick this up.

One draw back I found is that when you set it up, you have to select one year or the other (2004 or 2005) could not choose both or revert back and rechoose. Although I suspect if one would remove it (registry entries too) and reinstall it, then you could select another year and track this years donations.

The other draw back is entering the items, for each one, you have to enter the date, would not use the same date used in previous entry, which I needed as I dropped off a couple of bags of clothes.


BTW This product may or may not have been included free inside the Taxcut Deluxe packages like mine was.

Rating:
Summary: Good for the basic stuff, nothing more
Review: I had no install or functional issues with this product, however my complaint is this: for $19.99 this software should know armoire, stereo CD player, etc. Basically it has a database of the most common household and office items, nothing more. In the long run will it help you save more money? Maybe, depends on what you are trying to claim.

I expect more from H&R Block.

Rating:
Summary: This software is awful
Review: Warning: After successfully saving my file, I continued to input over 100 line items in this program (a very time consuming task). When finished, I tried to save but received an error message. Then when I tried to open my file, the message said it wasn't a valid file format. My file was corrupted and cannot be retrieved, and the technical support had no idea how it happened or whether it could happen again. They suggested that I back-up the file, but since this all happened in one sitting, I didn't have the chance.

The non-cash charitable contribution section is a great idea, but it's cumbersome: you have to scroll down a very long list each time (no key words). Plus, there are many every-day items that aren't on the list; bicycle helmet is, but dishware isn't. If the item isn't on the list, you have to enter it manually and assign a value, which is what I was trying to avoid by buying this program. Also, some of the distinctions are laborious; you need to indicate if a women's top is button down or v-neck, for example.

I haven't tried the alternative, but I won't buy this program again. I am in the process of returning it.