This review is for the PC disk version of Deluxe plus one state download.
TT hasn’t changed much over the last few years and likewise my review still highlights some of the same pros and cons that still exist with the software and Intuit. I have been a user of TT since 2007 and been mostly satisfied with the software, minus 2014’s debacle and some recent lesser issues with TT and my bank’s interface.
As with previous years, I am using TT Deluxe with one state.
A few years ago, I used the Premier version because I thought I needed it for my investments. It might have been the way to go then before you could automatically import your investment data, but with the ability to automatically import investment data the last 10 years or so, Deluxe has been fine for that. Unless you have some unique investment situations and you are not particularly comfortable with answering the basic questions or you cannot import your investment data automatically from your bank or financial institution, you should be able to use TT Deluxe with no issues. Of course, everyone’s situation and comfort level is different.
The install seems to have been changed a bit and modernized as the installation process seems faster and a bit smoother than in years past. For me, the initial installation was less than 2 to 3 minutes. As always with TT there are updates, which also seem to install a bit faster than in the past, in about 3 to 5 minutes. The same start up bug after update still exist though as Intuit has seemingly never fixed this as TT did not restart after the update and I had to manually click on TT icon to start. This year, you have to activate TT by signing into your Intuit account now, which I assume is to prevent others from using the disk.
Based on my initial use of the program, as far as I can tell, the 2023 version is mostly the same as the previous year’s version with the same included forms, including the investment forms, 1099-DIV. Like every year, not all forms are available for release until after the new year. This is not really Intuit’s fault as they have to wait until the Fed and State governments release the forms.
There are some additional small tweaks to the interface, which continues the trend from last year, with the install and some of the basic initial start of some of the walkthrough pages. I like that Intuit doesn’t make any drastic interface changes as the same familiarity in functionality makes the software easy to use, year after year. I will update this further if I notice any major changes once I do a deep dive into my taxes in the next few weeks.
As I mentioned the install and updates are smoother this year. I still have the same complaint that I have had the last couple of years is Intuit having eliminated its update history log. I still don’t understand why they hide what bugs are being fixed. I think it is important for users to know what bugs are being fixed and what forms are added/corrected. I personally think Intuit is tired of users criticizing the numerous bug fixes that occur each year up until August, although that doesn’t stop the complaints, it just adds new ones for users. Intuit started getting sloppy in 2018 with updating the history log, skipping posting some updates altogether and in 2019 they got rid of it permanently. I will continue to ask Intuit to bring back your detailed update history and not some vague postings, it is important for users to know what is being fixed and what forms are being added with updates.
As it has been for the last few years, Intuit no longer supports Windows XP, Windows 7 or Windows 8, and you need Windows 10 or higher. If you are still an older OS and plan to use TT for your taxes, you should probably use the TT tax online instead of trying to install this disk-based software. I can understand for security purposes, why this it the case and I also presume that is why the install and update process has become smoother after eliminating older protocols for the old OS’s.
If you have issues with installation in Win 10 or Win 11, try installing as an administrator, as I have seen that issue over the last couple of years, although that has not personally occurred with my installations.
As I previously mentioned, the same bug from the past two years is back again when I hit the launch button on initial install and update the software didn’t launch and instead closed. I have to manually started the software from the TT desktop icon afterward. So far, this bug happens every time there is an update.
As it has been for the last 3 years or so, Intuit has an activation key, I presume to keep people from using the software more than 5 times and not requires activation with your online Intuit account, which can limit your use as well. It is not an issue for me, but if you use this among several family members or friends, keep in mind that this will only activate 5 times before becoming unusable. The key seemed to work with no issues this year as opposed to past years where the key either failed to work or would not allow the download of the software from the website.
I still think that Intuit intentionally creates confusion with their multiple versions and efforts to get you to upgrade to a more expensive version. In a lot of cases upgrading to a more expensive version is not necessary. I have also complained since 2007, that I don’t like that Intuit has a tendency to hide their additional fees, such as the additional state download costs and e-filing costs, which I also think are excessively priced. Hello, Intuit. State e-filing should be FREE.
My tax situation has been mostly the same for the last several years and includes investments/mutual funds, which the deluxe version has handled perfectly fine, especially if you can automatically interface with your bank or investment company online, which was added around 2013. This functionality appears to be ok in this version as well.
TT has had the ability to download and import your investment information directly into the program. Intuit tries to make it seem like you really need to upgrade for stocks and investments and in reality, for most cases, it isn’t necessary. If you have a unique tax/investment situation, then you may have a reason to get the premier or home/business version as everyone’s tax situation is different. For me, I have found for most standard investment stuff, the deluxe version works just fine.
I suggest getting the Deluxe version and then if you have any issues with the investment portion or have other specific needs, opt for the upgrade to a higher version, which you can do afterwards, once you get into the program and find that you need additional guidance. I will again say that I think TT should have a Home/business version (for those with businesses) and a version for everyone else, with and without state). Multiple versions with just a few added features create confusion for the consumer.
Intuit’s promotion is the same as last year’s, which is a starter version of Quicken 2023 for one year. Since Quicken has been sold and no longer works for 3 years like it used to (it is now a yearly over-priced subscription), that really isn’t a special deal in my opinion. I have an old version of Quicken Deluxe that I still use from 2016 and the deal doesn’t allow you to upgrade that software, it is the starter version or nothing. If you want to get the Quicken starter version though, you have to access the deal from within the TT software and download from that link at the TT software home page. But be prepared to pay for a yearly subscription to software that hasn't essentially changed in many years. Last year, the link was problematic for the free Quicken and since I am not upgrading I have not tried this year’s link.
Pricewise, I waited until the price dropped at the end of December to 45 dollars for the Deluxe plus state which about the same as last year, which has trended up in recent years. Unless you really need the software before then, I suggest waiting for the price drop, which usually occurs right before the end of December/beginning of January.
As with each tax year, there are usually tax changes, the basic software works essentially the same. TT always seems to have bugs that seem to occur with each new version of TT, although it is impossible to tell what is being fixed with no update log being provided. Most years Intuit averaged around 45 to 55 patches and updates. Of course, some of the fixes are tax form updates or adding of forms that the IRS has just released of course, but like past years, there are program updates as there was on the initial install. As with previous years, I am concerned that Intuit will still be issuing program updates after the April tax deadline. I am willing to cut Intuit a bit of slack with the tax changes that may create some issues, but it does concern me that they have software bugs throughout the tax season, year after year and now hide what they are fixing.
I always wait to file with TT for several weeks into tax season and suggest most people do the same for a few reasons. One is to make sure the majority of the software updates and bugs in TT are worked out as well as all of the needed forms are installed as some of those come in mid-Jan or later. I also wait to file because of my investments. If you have investments/mutual funds, it is a good idea to wait a few weeks into the new year as well because, depending on what investment company (or bank) you utilize for the investments/mutual funds, 1099-DIV information tends to get updated with adjusted totals around late February or March and can drastically alter your tax totals if you file too soon. I had that happen to me a few years ago which caused some issues. Luckily, there is no shutdown this year (at least as of January anyways), so most forms should be on time per the schedule that Intuit has posted on its website.
My yearly complaint about the additional cost of e-filing with the state (currently 25 dollars in my state) which in my opinion should be free with purchase. Intuit defends this saying that you can print for free, which to me, in today’s electronic world, is just ludicrous. In addition, if you have to file taxes in multiple states, then you have to pay for the additional cost (I believe is currently 40 bucks) to download that state’s forms as well, which I think is excessive.
Hopefully, there will be no issues with uploading my 1099-DIV, which was smooth last year, but had some issues in 2021. I will update with any issues related to that.
Even though I have my complaints, TT is the better cost option for me than the major tax retailers, even though TT’s prices seems to be creeping up over the last few years.
As I have previously mentioned, the TT interface is basically the same and hasn’t changed much over the last few years, although there appears to be a few small tweaks aimed at a smoother interface. Even with my complaints about Intuit, I like the way the software walks you through the different things to help you finish the taxes pretty accurately. It is quick, easy, and I haven’t had any issues with the software doing my taxes.
I have seen the occasion bug that pops up from time to time but that has mostly occurred with the error checks when it is verifying that you have no errors in the past. Luckily, there has been no calculation errors. These issues seem to have been smoothed out the last couple years as I have not seen many issues in the last two years in the regard. Intuit still needs to bring back their update history log though and make sure it is detailed with what is fixed/changed/added, etc. There was no activation bug this year, but I suggest not throwing out the case with the key after install as you may need it again.
Like previous years, there is no easy way to report bugs to Intuit. I don’t know why Intuit can't you add a bug report button either in the software or on your webpage. No one wants to sit on the phone just to report a possible bug.
From past experience, Intuit has horrible tech support.
The last couple of years there has been an interface issue with Chase and importing 1099-INT information where the data can’t be imported like in years past and it must be added manually. This I consider a minor annoyance, since that is a relatively quick input of data, but I really don’t understand why this hasn’t been fixed since 2019, this was never an issue to import automatically before. I will update my review is this issue pops up again this year.
I have been mostly satisfied with prior versions of TT Deluxe each year with the exception of 2014’s major issues and interface annoyance between Intuit and Chase.
Other than some minor tweaks, this version appears to be ok as the deluxe functionality is the same as last.
With Intuit fixing bugs with the program and updating forms, I suggest waiting a few weeks before filing to make sure no critical bug affects your tax filings and to make sure your investments are updated. Intuit also needs to bring back the update log and links as well as address bank interface issues, in addition to address complaints with their hidden fees and versions, which continues to be ignored by Intuit.
4 stars
Megan Z. 
JWINK
Comdet