CompleteTax Premium Online (2011)

Ever since I began reviewing CompleteTax's online tax preparation services a few years ago, I've come to expect excellence in two areas in particular: tax expertise and guidance. I've never been disappointed and CompleteTax for tax year 2011 was no exception. That's not surprising: The site was developed by CCH, which has been analyzing income tax law and publishing related materials since 1913, the year the tax code was created. The company currently has roughly 700 publications in print and electronic formats.

There aren't a lot of changes to report since last year, though CCH has changed CompleteTax's pricing structure a bit, breaking out the costs of the federal forms from the state. So the site's aesthetics and navigation still lag behind those of its competitors, though it's as comprehensive as anyone in terms of its actual support for forms and schedules, and it's capable of completing both simple and complex returns.

Complete Tax's final review ? the automated process that combs your completed return looking for errors and omissions that could get you in trouble with the IRS?is also not as polished and refined as those of TaxACT Online Ultimate Bundle ($17.95, 4 stars) or TurboTax Premier Online ($66.77 - $89.99, 4.5 stars). While CompleteTax's score was lower than that of its main competitors, some interface remodeling, better navigational tools and improved integration would pull it to within reach of its competition.

A Trio of Options
There are three different versions of CompleteTax; each has increased complexity as you move up to a higher level. All include a free federal e-file. The options are:

• CompleteTax Basic. Unlike TurboTax and H&R Block At Home[link], the entry-level CompleteTax lets you import W-2 and 1099 data from financial institutions. It lets you enter information about some types of income and credits and includes step-by-step instructions and tax guidance. Free; state version, $29.95.
• CompleteTax Deluxe. Supports more income and credit types and lets you itemize deductions. You can enter investment data, retirement distributions, dependents ?and check your eligibility for the Alternative Minimum Tax. Federal, $29.95; state, $29.95.
• CompleteTax Premium. Designed for the self-employed and small business owner, this top-of-the-line version ? which you must purchase to report self-employment -- incorporates more sophisticated tax data processing, including the Schedule C and self-employment tax. You can enter information about profit and loss, depreciation and amortization, and sale of business property. Federal, $39.95; state, $29.95. (This is the version reviewed here.)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/hTBu_n2-f6w/0,2817,2376886,00.asp

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