TurboTax Home & Business Software Review

Intuit, is the publisher of TurboTax Software. They started as a small business in 1983 with the Quicken personal finance software. Today Intuit is recognized as one of America's most admired software companies. The software they produce helps individuals and small business owners confidently do their own taxes.

Preparing year end taxes is a daunting task for most people. The job can be simplified by using TurboTax Home & Business Software. This user friendly program is compatible for both your personal and small business taxes. There are three ways to prepare your taxes with the TurboTax software. You can purchase the CD-ROM, download the software to your PC from an online website or do your tax preparation online.

TurboTax Home & Business will work for you if you are: sole proprietor, consultant, 1099 contractor or single owner LLC. If you prepare W-2 and 1099-MISC forms for employees and contractors. Or, if you file your personal and businesses taxes together.

The software provides guidance for self-employment income and deductions. The questions are customized based on your business profile. It provides step-by-step instructions for entering income and expenses in the right tax forms.

Your deductions are maximized by simple questions you are asked concerning income, family and changes in your tax situation. Then, the software searches more than 350 deductions based on the accuracy of your answers. It also shows you how to qualify for other deductions. If you have a business -- it will guide you through which expenses you can deduct for your vehicle, supplies, utilities, home office expenses and more. It helps you figure tax write-offs. It shows you whether you will get a larger deduction through claiming actual expense or using the standard mileage rate. It shows what startup deductions new businesses can claim.

If you used TurboTax in prior years that information can be imported to the current version. This will save you time since you will not have to retype information. It can import info from Quicken, QuickBooks 2007 and Microsoft Money eliminating the need to cut and paste. You can also import your investment info directly from your financial institution.

The Audit Risk Meter checks your return for common audit triggers. It will show your level of risk. It offers tips on how to reduce the likelihood of being audited. It also guides you through what you need to know if you are contacted by the IRS. The program checks your return for errors. If you receive a penalty due to a TurboTax calculation error -- TurboTax guarantees they will pay the penalty and interest.

If you need help there are TurboTax experts and other users in the Live Community online to help you. You can also receive free technical support for a software question via email, phone or live chat.

You can figure your taxes online at TurboTax Online Home & Business for $74.95 for Federal and $34.95 for the state (optional). You can start the process for free. You pay only when you are ready to e-file or print your tax forms. The IRS estimates 8 to 15 days if you e-file with direct deposit.

Staples offers TurboTax Home & Business Software for $99.99. It is item #759796. It is model #408086.

It is sold by Best Buy for $99.99. It is SKU: 9069189. They also offer the option of downloading it directly from their website for $109.95.

Good luck finding the best TurboTax program for you!