TurboTax 2024 Desktop version - stay away from it | Page 2 | Income tax filing | Discussion forum

Doug said
Consider trying Better Tax, from Better Tax Company, at https://www.bettertax.ca/. It requires only an e-mail address to use. It's from the same co-founders of Simple Tax, now that they're free of their non-compete agreement with Wealthsimple. It's dirt simple to use, and you can delete your tax returns after filing if you wish.

They also offer a local option at https://www.bettertax.ca/en/free, so you can save a Better Tax local tax file for next year. 🙂

Cheers,
Doug  

This software stores your data in the cloud by default and you can use any browser BUT if you choose to store data locally Google Chrome is required. Anyone have ideas on why this would be the case ? I mean why would you need a web browser to use the program locally ?

I don't know anything about that specific software but the cloud storage would likely be whatever the corporate entity has contracted as a third party for its business.

I refuse to use any tax software which is online/web based with the tax file stored external to my computer. Hence certain packages would be a non-starter for me.

I am confident enough the Netfile data file goes only to CRA. The T1-KFS (Key Field Summary) of about 30-60kb is all that gets sent (key numerical data only) and that file is also encrypted in that data file transfer process. Me thinks there is too much hand wringing about spooks behind every corner.

Oscar: Chrome is Google/Alphabet. Their cloud is likely involved in this.

Let's face it doing your taxes is not the most pleasant of chores.
But it shouldn't be so onerous using tax software either.
My guess most people have a T4, T5's maybe capital gains
Seniors have the above as well as OAS, CPP and pension splitting.

My rant du jour.
My beef is TurboTax, imo it's a onerous piece of bloated software.
Why would I want to answer what feels like 100's of questions to enter a couple of T slips, makes no sense.

And then being fooled into buying a premier version because they hide functionality (try pension splitting), which by the way is available in almost any other tax software free or not.
Navigating within the TT is a nightmare, just try adding a T slip at a later date and then try to jump to"refund or balance owing " its not possible without clicking thru many many screens. It shouldn't be that onerous ... but it is.

Of all the free and paid tax software I've tried (TurboTax) would be the last on my list. I think a lot of their competitors have used the same format of question and answer , but frankly its cumbersome and not in any way friendly.

The top tax software for me is StudioTax. I'm not advocating anyone to buy it.
It's a full functioning tax software product, unlike TT.
The best part is you can use download it, turn off their wizard(question/answer) enter just the T slips you have and get the results just like the real paper CRA forms in mere minutes.
And later just jump to the T slip section when more T slips come.
And its great for "what if" scenario's.
The "summary tab" is displayed prominently for quick access , and any warnings are displayed on every screen ... it's that easy.
What's not to like !
Anyway my 2 cents
Cheers B

bhuc: I have used TT for many years and have many complaints (and maybe more to come with the issues raised about the 24 version), but inputting data isn't one of them. I use the forms method which eliminates the "interview" questions and allows you to add T slip data directly. I often do what-ifs and can see immediately the impact on tax payable after hitting save. No need to navigate additional screens.

AltaRed: TDC?

In TT:
- You do not have to use 'interview process'. Go directly to forms.
- As you enter slips (T5, etc.) closing and saving that screen does recalculation immediately and you can see refund or tax owning on the left hand side of the screen (open and keep opened summary).
- Standard version ($40) allows you pension splitting and optimizes amount for you.

I am NOT saying it is the best tax software. With requirements to have Intuit account, providing phone number to authenticate yourself it getting less and less desirable. Too much info is asked just to use software. Plus buying TT in the store you are buying empty box with one piece of paper (license). On-line license should be cheaper as you save THEM paper for a box and printed license.

TT did not change interface for ages. Well, why should they (sarcasm) as they change tax rules only and that is done most likely by some low paid student. TT and other tax software should cost no more than $20 for one time used program.
And actually government should provide FREE tax software as some more advance countries do.

CAD said
... On-line license should be cheaper as you save THEM paper for a box and printed license.  

Plus save on shipping and retailer margin. But they can't charge less for direct sales if they want to maintain a retail channel. Which they don't really need to, but they may have exclusives that they're afraid to turn over to the competition.

AltaRed - TDC