I've endured far too many obviously cynical 'upgrades' couched in corporate weasel-speak that destroyed my old software's functionality and forced me to buy new versions. As a grudging long-time user of Intuit's financial management software, Quicken, I don't buy it. 'We believe the added value isn't just by producing tax forms, but by the step-by-step interview to guide you through the return,' Miller says. (On Thursday, Intuit announced it will rebate $25 to customers who bought the Deluxe version last year and had to upgrade to Premier or Home and Business this year.) Julie Miller, Intuit's Vice President of Communications, also points out that the upgrades come with enhanced instructions to maximize deductions. Online TurboTax users - who make up 80 percent of the service's 29 million annual customers - already made the forced switch to higher-priced versions last year. Intuit points out that the change affects only us fossils who still use desktop software. According to one post as Mike: 'If TurboTax does not reverse this policy of limiting the filing of forms - to force unnecessary upgrades - I will never use or have TurboTax on my computer again.' Over at, reviews of the software have been flooded with one-star ratings and comments from users. That price hike isn't going down easy with faithful TurboTax users.

To put it in practical terms: That forced upgrade costs you the equivalent of 10 boxes of Savannah Smiles. Instead, you'll have to cough up $79.99 for the Home and Business version. So, if you've got a moonlighting gig that pays you on the up-and-up - and sends a 1099 statement about you to the Internal Revenue Service - you can't use the $39.99 Deluxe edition of TurboTax, as in years past. On the other hand, Girl Scout cookies just went on sale, so we've got Tagalongs and Do-si-dos to soothe our tax-jangled nerves.Īnd when it comes to high-carbohydrate comfort good, you'd better stock up if you're a long-time user of TurboTax.įans of the tax-preparation program are angry over a change by parent company Intuit that forces them to buy more expensive versions of TurboTax software than they've used for years if they want to file schedules A, C, D or E which, respectively, cover itemized deductions, business income, capital gains and losses, or rental property. Tax season officially has opened, which means folks will soon be getting cranky.

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