TurboTax Deluxe for Mac 2003

TurboTax takes the chore and bore out of the process. Each aspect of the software has little checks to make sure you're doing everything correctly. I was able to import my data from previous returns to save loads of time filling out stuff that doesn't change from year to year as a rule.

The software takes you dialogue by dialogue asking you questions like "do you own any stocks?" and if not, you skip the all the related questions so you don't have to muddle through things that don't apply to you. Everything is in concise categories.

Anytime you have a question, you can click on the help button for specific, context-sensitive information. The major sections have built-in QuickTime videos of professional tax experts explaining the latest tax laws and what the IRS is looking for, etc. etc.

When you're about all done, it does an error check and automatically goes through everything on your return and will tell you if anything on your return contains errors or otherwise will raise a red flag with the IRS and make you more vulnerable to an audit.

After filing my taxes with Turbo Tax, I got my refund deposited into my bank account electronically within 6 days. For those who are not expecting refunds, but rather have to send payment to the IRS, you can set up your payment so that it gets sent at the last possible moment on April 15, even if you file much earlier.

When you first install the software, it first checks with Intuit's servers for any updates and allows you to download State Tax software for free (if applicable). Fortunately, there are no state income taxes in Texas (yea for us!).

I am using a nearly 6-year-old Mac running (albeit slowly) Panther (10.3.3) and the software ran like a champ.


Easy and Reliable   February 7, 2004
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have been filing with taxes using TT since 1999 (the Mac vesrion used to be called Macintax). I have never had a problem and the ease-of-use has improved with every version. If you use Quicken, TT is definitely the way to go, as importing info is seamless. Also, if you used TT for a prior year, it carries all your personal info over, and makes suggestions based on the prior year. I have read other reviews complaining of poor technical help. The mac version is so reliable, from my experience, that little help is needed. I have read the negative comments in other reviews; they reek of user error. This software series is a winner!


Wouldn't use anything else!   January 6, 2004
Veronica A. Morris (Lawrence, MA, USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I started doing my taxes with Mac-in-Tax years ago. Since then, I've occassionally wavered and used other products (both mac and pc), including Tax Cut, but always run back to my beloved TurboTax. Does it include some random things that I don't care about, make me pay a premium for using a mac, and have an odd spyware issue? Yes. But some of the innovations - like being able to download some W-2s, make things more fun. It is far better than pencil & paper, more user-friendly than competing products, and allows you to do your taxes with no internet access at all (if need be). In all, I don't consider using anything else.


Now if they'd stop charging a premium for Mac users.   November 6, 2003
Michael A. Brown (Salt Lake City, UT USA)
23 out of 28 found this review helpful

Regarding the C-Dilla issue... this is the statement from Intuit, makers of TurboTax. Keep in mind, it was never in the Mac software anyway.

"In response to customer feedback, we have removed the technology from TurboTax 2003 products. In addition, Intuit is changing its policy and updating the TurboTax software license agreement, enabling customers to use TurboTax software to install, prepare, file and print multiple returns for themselves and their family from multiple computers."

I've always found TurboTax to be a very good product. If this C-Dilla issue proves to have been resolved, it may be again. However, their insistance that they need to charge a 25% premium for the Mac version is just foolish.


TurboTax works and performs well   November 13, 2003
R.Daneel Olivaw (Denver, CO)
8 out of 13 found this review helpful

I have used the program for 10 years now, from Macintax days. The only serious issue I had was about 5 years ago, when the performance on non-PowerMacs was slow to the point of being unusable. I took my complaints to intuit and eventually got a credit for a free application the next year. Aside from this issue, I have never had a significant bug or problem, and the ability to carry over tax info from previous years keeps me a customer. As far as the spyware issue, it is despicable, but also completely irrelevant as it didn't affect the Mac version, and the lengthy review addressing that issue has no place on this page.