CompleteTax
My final pick is CCH's CompleteTax. CCH provides tax and business law information and software solutions to the pros. And as a former tax accountant, I've spent many years poring over the company's extensive research.
They're offering a similar, though more-user-friendly, product to consumers that you know the pros will use. It's strictly an online product and had over 1 million users last year. The product will run you $26 to prepare and e-file your federal return and $13 to do the same for your resident state.
Because CompleteTax does not contain a lot of help and hand-holding, the software is best suited for tax-savvy individuals who want to speed through their tax return with a minimum of clicking. And since GainsKeeper is a CCH product, the interface is seamless.
Another perk to CompleteTax is that you can split your refund. As part of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 signed into law in late December, you are now allowed to split your tax return refund between your bank accounts and your IRAs using Form 8888. CompleteTax is one of the few programs that will walk you through that process, says product manager Debra Gray.
And for a mere $5, you can get two live online chat sessions with one of their pros and ask an unlimited questions during those two sessions.
So those are my picks. What are yours?
Tracy Byrnes
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