TurboTax dlux, TurboTax Multi-State, QuickenBasic 2003 Free AR @Staples by phone order (pay only tax)

[Shmuel]

<scrtaches head>

I thought I saw that the State version is not around until the end of January?

 

[nallur]

I just did this deal today. If the CSR says the coupon is not valid, try calling again. Second time was the charm for me. Before you give them any details, ask them to check if the coupon code is valid. If they say no, hangup and call again.
The state version will be shippin in mid January.

 

[unknown]

according to the Intuit web site TurboTax Deluxe 2002 Includes FREE download of one TurboTax State product* ? a $29.95 value - so it seems to me,at least, that there is no need to be buying TurboTax Multi-State.

Am I missing something here?

 

[rich123]

TaxAct is Free; just download it. Just as good as Tx Cut and no rebate hassles.

 

[exit88]

There is a $20 of $50 coupon for staples at http://forums.dealcatcher.com/tt.asp?appid=0&p=1&tmode=1 , look for posting with heading "Memorex Ultra-Thin Scanner for $4.94".

I just used it and it worked fine.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: ww4397
FYI. Just finished reading the new "product activation" requirement for TT2002. The way it works is that only one computer, the one you activate with, is able to print forms and/or submit electronic returns -- all the others you install it on can do everything but that. They actually encourge you to share the CD with your friends because the program has an option that allows them to "purchase" the product.

Yeah, I acquired the program just to see what I'd be getting back, if it matched what I figured up on paper, it was close. Anyways, the activation thing is new this year. Kinda a good way to prevent people from pirating copys of it. Looks like this year, I'll have to find a deal like this one. Is this one still going on?

KK

 

[jbloggs]

Originally posted by: KK


Yeah, I acquired the program just to see what I'd be getting back, if it matched what I figured up on paper, it was close. Anyways, the activation thing is new this year. Kinda a good way to prevent people from pirating copys of it. Looks like this year, I'll have to find a deal like this one. Is this one still going on?

KK

As of yesterday it is still on.

 

[audscott]

Just tried - coupon is n ot being honored, but all prices shown as posted.

I cancelled the order, telling the CSR I'll be shopping at OM, the only honest B & M tech store left.

 

[jbloggs]

It is still working today, you just have to try calling back until you get a CSR that accepts it. You might have to try 2 or three times before it works, just keep trying. It has been mentioned that the coupon code will expire today.

 

[doug]

Originally posted by: rich123
TaxAct is Free; just download it. Just as good as Tx Cut and no rebate hassles.

But unless you have a very simple Tax return it looks like the free one doesn't work, there is a large list of forms that only work in the Delux version.

See the comparison chart:
http://www.taxact.com/products/comp_chart.html

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: lsman
I do it like this, go to staples.com: start from tax cut deluxe 498971, then it will guide you all the way, buy: - TaxCut Deluxe w/ $5 Mail-in-Rebate 498971 $24.95 - Microsoft Money 2003 Standard 492012 $29.99 - Kiplinger's Home & Business Attorney 497450 $29.99 - TaxCut State 499009 $24.95 - McAfee VirusScan 7/ QuickClean Bundle 492636 $59.99 - Symantec Norton Personal Firewall 2003 w/$20 Upgrader Mail-in-Rebate 495025 $49.99 - Checksoft Express 497451 $9.99 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- = $229.85 - checksoft express coupon (at staples.com will give coupon before the rebate page) - $9.99 - $50 off $200 coupon - $50.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - total out of wallet (cc) =$169.86 REBATES: taxcut delx $5, M$ $29.99, H&B attorney $29.95 (rebate 5c off. ), McAfee bundle $59.99, Norton Firewall $30, Norton Firewall $20 upgrade (use McAfee to qualify) $20 - $174.93 Final price some months later = -$5.07 Actual cost with tax (169.86 X 1.06 NJ tax - 174.93 + 0.37 X5 = $6.97) may be ebay some unuse software.... forget there is 2% of ebates.com too.

Microsoft Money??? hahahaha!!!

BTW, are these turbotax rebates 'upgrade rebates' only, or no strings attached. ?

 

[MrPhelps]

Are the rebate forms going to be in the boxes or are they online somewhere????

 

[nallur]

BTW, are these turbotax rebates 'upgrade rebates' only, or no strings attached. ?

No strings attached. You don't need to own previous versions to get the rebates.

Are the rebate forms going to be in the boxes or are they online somewhere????

All rebates are in a booklet in the TT Deluxe box.

 

[nallur]

Originally posted by: audscott
Just tried - coupon is n ot being honored, but all prices shown as posted.

I cancelled the order, telling the CSR I'll be shopping at OM, the only honest B & M tech store left.

audscott, I don't get it. Did they first accept the coupon and then deny it? If they didn't accept it the first time you tried it, I don't understand why you are complaining about Staples' honesty. As mentioned earlier, this particular code depends entirely on luck. It was only meant for business rewards members and should only be used with a Staples credit card. Some of us have been lucky that we got CSRs who took the code. The key is to call and ask them if the code is valid before you even place an order. If they say no, hang up and call again until you find a CSR who will take it.

 

[MrPhelps]

Originally posted by: nallur

BTW, are these turbotax rebates 'upgrade rebates' only, or no strings attached. ?

No strings attached. You don't need to own previous versions to get the rebates.

Are the rebate forms going to be in the boxes or are they online somewhere????

All rebates are in a booklet in the TT Deluxe box.

Thanks nallur
I'll look in the box when I get it.

 

[ismellsmoke]

For free ...look here...
http://www.taxslayer.com/

 

[db]

Originally posted by: nallur

audscott, I don't get it. Did they first accept the coupon and then deny it? If they didn't accept it the first time you tried it, I don't understand why you are complaining about Staples' honesty. As mentioned earlier, this particular code depends entirely on luck. It was only meant for business rewards members and should only be used with a Staples credit card. Some of us have been lucky that we got CSRs who took the code. The key is to call and ask them if the code is valid before you even place an order. If they say no, hang up and call again until you find a CSR who will take it.

 

[speeddragon]

Any more FAR tax software (brand name: Turbo Tax, TaxCut) deal around?

 

[rich123]

from http://techbargains.com/recentnews.cfm

Update: Taxcut might be a better bet. Turbotax seems to have added a rather nasty copy protection this year, including activation, installation of copy protection software that remains after Turbotax has been removed and possibly spyware. The user reviews at Amazon are quite negative. Staples offers the same free software (except Quicken...Microsoft Money instead) with TaxCut, which does not have any of these problems and is $10 cheaper, too. TaxCut will import data from previous years Turbotax files.

Some info from newsgroups: "Also, everyone should be aware that TurboTax this year has started using a copy protection mechanism called C-DILLA. It requires an activation that locks it to the computer you first install it on. You cannot uninstall it and reinstall it on a different computer. Make sure you don't buy a new computer after installing it on your old computer - you won't be able to use TT on the new computer if you do. I presume that Intuit will provide some mechanism for overriding this if you call in and wade through tech support, but to do so will surely require a good chunk of time spent on the phone. In addition, the C-DILLA program remains installed and resident on your computer even when you are not using TurboTax, and even *after* you uninstall TT. It uses up approximately 1MB of ram and 4 threads - About 1.5% of a 64MB machine's system resources. Not a lot of by todays standards, but still a significant amount considering that when TT is not running (or is uninstalled), it is completely unneccessary. Also, just imagine if every vendor starts implementing a similiar mechanism, with each one taking up another 1MB of ram. There are also rumors on the internet that CDILLA may also be performing some spyware type activities." (Thanks Tom)

 

[tchinhe]

Which is better? Turbo Tax or Tax Cut?

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: tchinhe
Which is better? Turbo Tax or Tax Cut?

If you don't like Product Activation (and you shouldn't), get Tax Cut.

 

[tchinhe]

I was at staples just now with voucher from discover. I almost bought Turbo Tax. Looks like I made the right decision to double check.... I used TT last year.

 

[db]

Has anybody received their Multi State product yet?

 

[k000]

Checked with Staples CSR today morning, and I was told that they will be shipping it sometime next week.

 

[KeyserSoze]

Not thread crapping, but just giving a little more information on what has been touched upon by other replies in this thread. PLEASE READ these before making your decisions to buy:


Anandtech Off Topic Thread about this year's TurboTax

CNet Article

MSNBC Link

SmallBusinessComputing Story





KeyserSoze