TurboTax
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TurboTax maker Intuit faces FTC ban on advertising 'free' services
The Commission found Intuit's actions to be misleading.
The IRS reportedly has a free TurboTax alternative in the works
A test of the project may offer a free alternative to Turbotax as soon as next year.
Tax prep websites have been sending sensitive financial data to Facebook
Tax websites like H&R Block have been sending users' sensitive financial data to Facebook, including incomes.
Intuit owes customers $141 million after it 'cheated' them out of free tax services
TurboTax maker Intuit will pay $141 million "for deceiving millions of low-income Americans into paying for tax services that should have been free."
Coinbase partners with TurboTax to let you receive tax refunds in cryptocurrency
If you use TurboTax to file taxes, you now have the option to deposit your refund directly to a Coinbase account.
TurboTax creator Intuit leaves the IRS' free tax filing program
TurboTax creator Intuit has left the IRS Free File program over claims the federal tax agency's system is holding it back.
TurboTax maker Intuit buys Credit Karma to corner personal financial data
Intuit wants to manage more of your financial data. The TurboTax developer has bought Credit Karma, best known for helping people track and control their credit, for $7.1 billion in cash and stock. It intends to use Credit Karma to craft a "personalized financial assistant" that provides insights into your money and helps you "find the right financial products." It might point you to a new credit card or a higher-yield savings account, for instance.
Tax prep companies can’t hide their free filing software from Google anymore
This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced changes that will hopefully make it less stressful for a lot of Americans to file their taxes in 2020. In an addendum to the almost 20-year-old Free File agreement, the agency has put new protections in place to make it easier for Americans to file their taxes for free.
Engadget giveaway: Win an Apple iPad (9.7-inch) courtesy of TurboTax!
This is your annual reminder: It's tax time (assuming things reach normality) so don't forget to do your taxes. One of the most convenient and affordable methods of filing is using an online service like TurboTax. By adding your information, answering some general questions and following prompts, it's easier than ever to get this task completed. Those with more complicated returns or mild paranoia about filing through an algorithmic interface can take advantage of the TurboTax Live service. It connects you to a bonafide tax expert in-person (remotely of course) to help you over any humps and settle your nerves. You can even get started on a mobile device and finish on a PC if you'd like. This week, TurboTax has provided us with an Apple iPad (9.7-inch) to help one lucky reader get the process started at home or on the go. It's also included a code for the TurboTax Live service, so you can get human affirmation and professional suggestions when filing. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to five chances at winning this timely and immensely useful prize package. Good luck! Winner: Congratulations to Steve O. of Mauston, WI!
The best tax software
By Mark Smirniotis and Kevin Purdy This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. We tried five online tax-preparation services and prepared returns for three fictional filers with a variety of incomes, living situations, states, and deductions. With over 80 hours of research and testing over the past five years, we continue to recommend TurboTax as the best tax software for anyone who needs guidance and a confidence boost to file their 2017 taxes on their own.
Engadget giveaway: Win a pair of Sonos One speakers courtesy of TurboTax!
It's that time of year again: Tax season! But don't fret, with all the intelligent services being offered now, there's less to worry about than ever. The Intuit TurboTax app and web interface let you complete your taxes without even leaving the house -- but you can if you use the mobile app and can even finish later on your PC. The household name in e-filing services has also launched its TurboTax Live feature this year. Now you can get virtual assistance from a network of certified tax preparers, just in case you hit a snag or really want to get the most out of your refund. There's even an Alexa Skill to check the status of your refund. So this week, TurboTax has provided us with a set of Sonos One smart speakers so you can keep track of that money just by asking. Plus, there's a gift card for TurboTax Live support which can give you some assistance maximizing your refund while minimizing any potential issues. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this speaker and tax preparation combo -- along with some peace of mind! Winner: Congratulations to Michael M. of Fort Collins, CO!
Engadget giveaway: Win a Pixel smartphone courtesy of TurboTax!
It's tax time again, where many fight sloth and memory lapses until mid-April, when procrastinating is no longer an option. Whether you get them sorted early or wait until the last minute, Intuit's TurboTax is always there to make the process fast, easy and convenient. Using the mobile app, you can take a photo of your W-2 and it will automatically fill in your info. Since the web and mobile experiences are synced, you can even start the process on your phone and finish on your laptop, right where you left off. TurboTax also offers its service for free if you're doing a basic return and its SmartLook feature offers one-way video assistance if you get stuck. To help brighten up this financially burdensome time of year, TurboTax has provided a Google Pixel smartphone for one lucky reader this week! All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning. So, good luck and get to those taxes, the process could be a lot easier than you think. Winner: Congratulations to Rob S. of Boston, MA!
Engadget giveaway: Win an iPad Pro 9.7 courtesy of TurboTax!
We always know the tax deadline's looming (it's April 18th, by the way), but many of us still procrastinate until the last moment, scrambling to the nearest tax professional. Luckily, Intuit's TurboTax for desktop and mobile can help you file your own return in minutes or apply for an extension. It's also free for basic returns. The mobile version lets you snap a photo of your W-2 so it can auto-fill the info for you and as you proceed through the step-by-step process, there are always helpful hints to clarify the mind-numbing legalese. If you run into any hitches along the way, the SmartLook feature lets you connect to an expert via one-way video for fast answers on the spot. You can even finish up on your desktop later if you didn't make it all the way through on mobile. If you need a little encouragement, TurboTax has provided two 9.7-inch iPad Pro tablets for a pair of lucky readers this week to help get that tax business out of the way. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning. Winners: Congratulations to Michael M. of Avondale, PA and Kyle J of Altoona, IA!
Engadget giveaway: win a Dell Venue 8 7000 courtesy of TurboTax!
Consider this a two-for-one. It's both a giveaway and a reminder to do those taxes. Of course, you don't have to make a trek down to the local accountants lair to get the job done anymore. Online and app-based services like TurboTax mobile help to simplify the traditionally tedious process, even if you're on the road. The app is available to those running iOS 8 or Android 4.1 (or above) and since it's on the cloud, you could start on mobile and finish later on your computer. With it, you can snap a photo of your W-2 and the app will pull in the data leaving you to answer a few simple questions about your life before securely e-filing your return. TurboTax has even provided us with two Dell Venue 8 7000 (7840) tablets so a pair of Engadget readers can file while gazing at its crisp 2,560 x 1,600 display. They'll also be able to use its depth-sensing 8-megapixel camera to capture some nature shots after having knocked out those taxes so quickly. Serenity finally is now! Winners: congratulations to Christopher H. of Highland, UT. and Devon D. of Saint George, UT.
Engadget giveaway: win an iPhone 5s courtesy of TurboTax!
It's that time of year again, when you have to try and wrestle back as many of those hard-earned dollars as you can from the insatiable gaping maw of the tax beast. In an effort to assuage that annual suffering, the folks at TurboTax created the free SnapTax app for 1040EZ/A returns and this year they've upped the ante for one lucky Engadget reader by offering an unlocked gold iPhone 5s so they can file on the go. Available for iOS and Android, the SnapTax app lets users file by simply snapping a photo of their W-2, answering a few questions and clicking "file my return." This is one little slab of gold that you won't want to stash in a safety deposit box, so head on down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning. And don't forget: It's time to do those taxes! Winner - congratulations to: Scottie K., Schaumburg, IL
Engadget Giveaway: win one of two iPad minis, courtesy of TurboTax!
Hear the birds singing, smell the roses, behold the beautifully blossoming trees and get stuck inside your abode with the unwelcoming burden of taxes. TurboTax is once again coming to the rescue, offering up two 16GB WiFi-only iPad minis for a pair of lucky winners! As you can imagine, the software company offers easy-to-use software for iOS or Android users who need to file a 1040EZ or 1040A; the apps walk you step-by-step through the process and double checks for every deduction and credit. As usual, head to the widget to enter. Good luck! Note: Please enter using the widget below, as comments are no longer valid methods of entry. The widget only requires your name and email address so we know how to get in touch with you if you win (your information is not given out to third parties), but you will have an option to receive an additional entry by following us and TurboTax on Twitter if you so desire. Winners: Congratulations to this week's winners, Daniel G. of Ottawa, ONT and Christopher H. of Kittery, ME!
Engadget Giveaway: win one of three Kindle Fires, courtesy of TurboTax!
Ah, nothing takes away from the beauty of a new spring quite like the demands of Uncle Sam. TurboTax is hoping to relieve you of much of that stress, finally bringing its easy-use software in the form of an Android tablet app -- and even Kindle Fire users get to share the apptastic love, which is why the tax software company hooked us up with three of them to give away to our fine readers. You may be procrastinating until April 17th to file your taxes, but this contest only lasts for two days, so head below to leave a comment. Good luck!
PSA: TurboTax on Android is free through Sunday if you start your taxes before then
If you've ever filed your taxes on an iPad, you know Intuit's TurboTax app is free to download, but that you'll have to pay up once you're ready to submit those returns. But, in an effort to promote its newish apps for Android tablets and the Kindle Fire, the company's giving the entire number-crunching cow away for free -- at least through this weekend. Just download between tomorrow (Friday) and Sunday and make sure you start your taxes before Monday (it's okay if you finish them later). To be clear, this includes both federal and state-level taxes, which you'd normally pay for separately for $29.99 and up. Another quid pro quo: this won't work on handsets, even though the Kindle runs a customized version of Android 2.3. If you own a tablet it should run smoothly on Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich, though. In any case, to those of you who've been putting off your taxes, happy downloading, procrastinators. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
TurboTax for iPad just in time for tax season
You may not have thought that doing taxes on your iPad was an option, but turns out it is. TurboTax has released what seems to be a full version of its tax software for the iPad, available on the App Store right now (the app is actually called 2010, but that's because it's for your 2010 taxes, not because it's a year old). The app is a free download and will help calculate your taxes for you (along with any financial tangles you happen to have), though actually filing those taxes will cost you: $29.99 for federal returns, and $36.99 for state returns. I haven't used the software (being a freelancer, I've got quite a few more complications, and I usually hook up the services of someone more qualified than I am), but if you've just got a simple form from one company and would rather enter the numbers from a couch, the iPad app should come in handy. If you'd rather do your taxes from the iPhone, TurboTax also offers a Snaptax app that will put them together with just a snap of your W-2 form. Again, there are limits on what it can handle (no dependents, and no home or real estate ownership), but if you just want to put the numbers in and get that return back, check it out. Editor's note: Many other solutions for e-filing your U.S. taxes exist, and unlike TurboTax, quite a few of them are free of charge. The IRS itself provides a list of free tax filing services on its website. These alternatives may not be as geek chic as TurboTax's iPad app, but at least they won't hassle you for money just to file your tax return. [via Doc Rock]
Quicken Essentials for Mac available for pre-order
Quicken Essentials for Mac is finally available for pre-order. Too little, too late if you ask me. Its taken three years to get this next version of Quicken for Mac out the door. In that time, worthy alternatives have risen, like iBank and Mint.com. While I won't give it a review until I've tried it, it seems that Intuit should just give up until they want to make a financial software package that the Mac deserves. Here are just a few of my peeves from the Quicken Essentials for Mac FAQ (bold added): 1. Can I track my investments? Yes, Quicken Essentials for Mac allows you to track the overall value of your investment accounts and the value of your specific holdings. It will not, however, track investment buys and sells, nor will it provide some advanced investment performance reports. If you need more more advanced investment features, try Quicken Mac 2007. 2. Can I export my data to TurboTax? Quicken Essentials for Mac does not support that capability. If you'd like that functionality, we recommend trying Quicken Mac 2007. 3. Can I pay my bills within Quicken? While you cannot pay bills within the product itself ("direct bill pay"), you can track your bills and make sure you have enough cash to pay them when they're due. A few alternatives available include using Quicken Mac 2007 or using the bill pay functionality on Quicken Bill Pay. Did you see that? If you want to do anything useful, you have to buy their three year-old product. I ditched Quicken for Mac years ago, moved to iBank, then eventually quit that and moved entirely to Mint which has a great iPhone app [iTunes link]. How good is Mint? Good enough that Intuit has since purchased it. I can only hope they plan to leave it good enough alone. Thanks Gilbert
