Description:
Taxpayers who have progressed beyond the 1040EZ know that money can't buy happiness until after April 15. TurboTax 2001 Premier can't deliver happiness, but it can make federal tax preparation a lot easier for just about everyone. Installation of TurboTax Premier is quick, and a linked series of wizards helps users compile all the information they need. Back-and-forth navigation is simple; the software keeps track of which steps have been skipped and returns as necessary. Users who must pay state taxes need only type in their information once if they use a TurboTax state package (free after rebate with TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, or Home & Business). First-time users would be well-advised to ask a knowledgeable friend to help out. Although much of the hard work is done automatically, some decisions are far from intuitive and may require some detective work. The copious online help functions are both smart (they often answer questions before they're asked) and thorough; this goes a long way toward easing users' troubled minds. Data entry is relatively painless, especially for returning users, who can port in last year's information and edit as needed. When it's all over, every form is printed out complete with everything but signatures, or users can opt for easy electronic filing. If you own rental property or are a big investor, TurboTax Premier is probably your best option when it comes to tax prep software. Extra guidance for investors helps you handle capital gains and losses, while the Deduction Finder and new Audit Alerts are geared toward property owners who file Schedule E. This beefed-up version of TurboTax also includes an Office Expense Advisor for those who work out of a home office. New features such as the 401(k) Maximizer help balance retirement investments and take-home pay so well that some users will find that their savings pays for the software many times over. The savings in stress and time are also well worth it for the rest of us. --Rob Lightner
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