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The Best Online Tax Software Programs for Easy Tax Return Preparation in 2008

Tax Software 2008, Tax Software Free

There are dozens of tax software programs available both online and at your local computer software store, but only a few offer the basic services you really need. Some tax software programs offer solely federal tax return preparation, while others include state filing and tax adviser services. If you’re preparing a simple tax return for the 2007 tax year, here are the best online tax software programs that can mange the project without the fuss:

Complete Tax
Complete Tax online tax preparation software is just one of the 700+ products offered by CCH, a company that creates tax, accounting, and computer software solutions for the financial industry. They have been in business since 1913, and offer a no-nonsense solution for preparing your taxes online.

The Price: You won’t need to rifle through complicated packages or plans with this site; just choose the Federal Return preparation for $29.95, or the State Return preparation for $14.95. Both services offer free e-filing, and you can jump right in with a simple interface to create your tax forms with accuracy.

Key Benefits: The simple structure and format of CompleteTax makes it very simple to file a simple return, check for errors, make sure you are compliant with tax laws, and then file your tax return immediately with the IRS.

Bottom Line: Since there’s no download required, you can simply store all of your information on the secure server, and print out the final product if you want to. If you’re looking for a one-step solution to getting our taxes done, this is one of the best options for your project.

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TaxAct Online

The Price: TaxAct offers Standard Federal tax preparation completely free of charge, and offers two other products; Deluxe ($9.95), and Ultimate ($16.95).

Key Benefits: The Ultimate includes both Federal and State preparation, and you also won’t incur any filing fees. The Deluxe program is the most useful, as it includes an estimated State tax planner, free technical support, and. The free filing services are still a valuable option, and will provide th right schedules, forms, and worksheets you need to prepare your taxes accurately. All options offer free IRS e-filing services.

Bottom Line: TaxAct Online does features a few enhancements to its website for 2008, which makes filing taxes online a cinch. Skip the higher fees of the Ultimate package if you’re comfortable filing taxes using your own State’s filing options which are usually free.

TurboTax from Intuit

The makers of Quicken offer a full suite of tax preparation software with four options.

The Price: The Free Edition helps you file the 1040EZ and any other simple return. The Deluxe package ($29.95) helps you include information on mortgage interest, payments towards education, and also runs an audit risk check for you.

Key Benefits: TurboTax offers a simple, step-by-step Q&A; procedure so you never actually plug in any numbers on a form. You just fill out a questionnaire, and the program runs all the numbers to create your tax return accordingly. All online tax software programs include free eFiling services, but State tax returns will cost an additional fee.

Bottom Line: TurboTax can be the most expensive of all of your online options, but works well if you’re comfortable with Quicken’s suite of office and personal financial programs. You can also buy or download the TurboTax CD if you don’t want to go through the steps completely online. However, pricing for this option ranges from $19.95 – $89.95 for the tax software program.

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TaxCut Online

The Price: TaxCut Online Tax Preparation features a slick, user-friendly website with four different online offerings. Choose from Basic ($14.95), Premium ($19.95), Premium + State ($44.95) or Signature ($79.95). The five dollar difference between the Basic and Premium is a one-time meeting with a Tax Adviser.

Key Benefits: TaxCut Online is an H&R; Block product, so this one can also import all of your filing data if you happened to swing into an H&R; block tax preparation office in previous years. The website also features a free tax estimator, tax calculators, and product support.

Bottom Line: TaxCut Online is one of the most expensive options available online, but does make it very simple to prepare, file, and manage current and future returns.

Choosing the right online tax software program can be challenging, but if you don’t have to spend extra money when you’re just looking for the basics. Choose from any of these tax software programs for hassle-free tax preparation in 2008.