H&R Block offers its TaxCut tax preparation programs in both a software version and an online version. Within those divisions are separate editions of the programs themselves with different levels of features. Besides deciding which version of TaxCut Premium is best suited to your needs, you also must choose between the software and online versions. Are there any significant differences that you need to know before making a decision?
When it comes to the actual features on TaxCut, the differences are minimal. Both the line and software versions allow you to file federal income tax forms and, depending on the version, state income tax forms. Both online and boxed versions feature all the forms you need, including those necessary for home business deductions. The online and software versions of TaxCut also come packed with advice, guidance and help to further ease the process of doing your taxes. In addition, whether you choose the software version or the online version you may also be entitled to one free session with an actual H&R Block tax professional. E-filing is free with all online versions, while you may have to pay an additional fee if you buy software from a store. Neither TaxCut Online or TaxCut Software import 1099 data from financial institutions or W-2s from employers.
The real difference between the online and software versions of TaxCut lies in how you access and save your information. When you purchase TaxCut in any of its incarnations as software, you will be installing a program onto your hard drive. All the information will be stored there, meaning that if your computer crashes you may lose it all. Likewise, if the electricity goes out you lose access to it temporarily. When you choose TaxCut online, you are actually saving your information on a secured server in cyberspace. The advantage of this is that you can essentially work on your taxes from any computer, regardless of where you are. That may sound a bit scary, but H&R Block guarantees the secure encryption of your data. Obviously, nothing that exists in cyberspace comes with a 100-percent guarantee of security, but then again neither is your computer's hard drive 100-percent safe. TaxCut Online is ideal for those who may need to work on their taxes outside the home or who don't even have a computer at home.
TaxCut 2007 Premium + State +eFile
TaxCut 2007 Home and BusinessTaxCut Online Basic + efileTaxCut Online Premium + efileTaxCut Online Premium +State + efile
