TurboTax and TaxCut 2008 Giveaway – Your Chance to Win One of Ten Copies

By Sun

Your chance to win one of ten copies of TurboTax Deluxe 2008 and TaxCut Premium 2008 for free.

First of all, I want to thank Intuit TurboTax (Chelsea QuickenPRChels on Twitter and Ashley TurboTaxAshley on Twitter) and H&R Block TaxCut (Stacy HRBlock on Twitter) for providing the tax software that makes this giveaway possible, so readers of this blog can appreciate and  benefit from their generosity.

The 2008 tax season is just around the corner, wouldn’t it be nice to prepare your tax filings for free? Sure, it would. If you haven’t already got your 2008 tax preparation software yet, here’s your chance to win one of ten copies of either TurboTax Deluxe or TaxCut Premium, federal, state and e-filing all included.

In the past, I bought my own tax preparation software. Even though at the end I paid only a small amount for the software after rebates, it was still quite a hassle to have to submit, track the rebates and wait the checks to come. I’d love to have someone give me a free copy :) This year is a little different, however, because I do have a free copy, the TaxCut I won a couple days ago.

I have used both TurboTax and TaxCut, started with TaxCut but only switched to TurboTax recently because I also use Quicken to track my finance. Using tools from the same company makes things a little easier. So far as preparing tax filing is concerned, I don’t think there is much difference between TurboTax and TaxCut from what I can tell: They follow the same tax codes, ask pretty much the same questions throughout the interviews, and both have tools to maximize your deductions (sometime depends on the software versions). If you are like me using Quicken to manage your money and investments and may export data from Quicken to your tax software, then TurboTax is a convenient choice. If you just want to file your taxes, then either TurboTax or TaxCut can get the job done.

Now back to the giveaway. I will run the giveaway in two parts (so you have two chances to win), like Jim at Blueprint for Finance Prosperity and Nickel at Five Cent Nickel did with their recent giveaways. In the first part, you will have a chance to win 1 of 6 copies (3 TurboTax and 3 TaxCut). To participate, all you need to do is left a comment at this post (tax related is preferred, but not necessary).Very simple, right?

The second part needs a little extra effort from you if you want to increase your chance to win. To enter the second part of the giveaway of the rest software (2 TurboTax and 2 TaxCut), you will need:

  • Create a Twitter account if you don’t have one already and follow me SunFinancial on Twitter and I will return favor :)
  • To enter, send me a message @SunFinancial that includes #giveaway in the body, something like “@SunFinancial #giveaway  http://tinyurl.com/8mdfc2 ” (you can simply copy and paste it).

That’s it. Twitter entries will then be posted here in the order which they are received.

Winners will be selected randomly (site entries and Twitter entries are separated of course) and announced here on January 25, 2008, right before you get your W-2 :)

As for the products being given away, TurboTax is an online version, while TaxCut can be downloaded. Winners of TurboTax Deluxe will receive a card in the mail with prepiad access code for purchasing the software online at TurboTax.com. TaxCut Premium winners will get a keycode to buy the software online as well, but the code can be emailed. One code can only be redeemed once. Either way, you will have to leave a valid email address for me to contact you in case you win.

Interested? Enter now and, with a little bit of luck, you may just win one free tax preparation software :D

BTW, I am also interested in how you prepare your taxes. Are you using a tax preparation software and doing everything yourself? Or paying somebody else to do it for you?

Twitter entries received:

  1. bargainr
  2. curtisfinancial
  3. fcn
  4. jjarzyna
  5. cleverdude
  6. robertragland
  7. auntiethesis
  8. ikkyusan88
  9. jenglish922
  10. luckygranny
  11. mbhunter
  12. evanchooly
  13. BA0917
  14. srikks
  15. KatydidandKid
  16. lostalpinist
  17. Andys2i

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71 Responses to “TurboTax and TaxCut 2008 Giveaway – Your Chance to Win One of Ten Copies”

  1. Cathy Curtis |  Jan 17, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Not looking forward to doing taxes this year, but has to be done.I just switched from Quicken to Quickbooks and I am still learning quickbooks, hopefully will make me more efficient in the future.

  2. nickel |  Jan 17, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Wahoo! I could use a copy of Turbo Tax.

  3. Clever Dude |  Jan 17, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    I switch to TT last year too. I liked the questions much more than TaxCut, although I used TC for about 3-4 years prior. Our taxes got complicated enough that TurboTax seemed to fit our needs better. TaxCut is still a decent tool if your taxes aren’t that complicated.

  4. Manshu |  Jan 17, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Here is my effort:

    A piece of info from the IRS website:

    Standard Deduction Increased for Most Taxpayers

    Nearly two out of three taxpayers choose to take the standard deduction rather than itemizing deductions such as mortgage interest and charitable contributions. The basic standard deduction is:

    *
    $10,900 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers, a $200 increase over 2007
    *
    $5,450 for singles and married individuals filing separate returns, up $100 and
    *
    $8,000 for heads of household, up $150

    Source:
    http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=202106,00.html?portlet=7

  5. Rachel Lin |  Jan 17, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    time for TT 2008, thanks

  6. Alex |  Jan 17, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    Put me down for a chance at the giveaway. Thanks!

  7. Ryan |  Jan 17, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    Please enter me to win. Here is my tax question…

    What is the best way to determine federal and state witholdings for childless 2 income married couples?

    The IRS website suggest 0 for both my wife and I. But that would end up giving us a sizable refund (do they forget about the standard deduction?). What do you suggest? Claim 0s and enjoy the 0% (- inflation) loan to the government or Claim 10 for most the year and then switch to zero in September or October and just bolster my credit union account. What is the sweet spot?

    Thanks in advance.

  8. Robert in SF |  Jan 17, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    Thanks for the chance! A friend of mine (a financial consultant) prepares mine with his tax software but he can’t e-file….and he still charges me like $75! Sheesh!

  9. Super Saver |  Jan 17, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Sun,

    I still do my taxes the old fashioned way – pen, paper and mail. Probably still would if I won a copy :-)

  10. Agus |  Jan 17, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Count me in, please

  11. John |  Jan 17, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    I am getting ready to file my tax return for 2008. Federal e-file is now generally free but no one is offering state e-file for free yet.

    Found interesting directions on how to get H&R Block Premium (yup, the premium version) for free. I went ahead and tried it, and already downloaded it. Everything came from H&R Block and TaxCut itself. The detailed directions can be found at
    http://www.uberi.com

    Hopefully that’s useful for some. I actually used TurboTax in the past and may still do that this time, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to check my tax return using another package to confirm all the numbers are right.

  12. Michelle |  Jan 18, 2009 at 12:13 am

    I’ve used both TurboTax and TaxCut in previous years and there’s no way I could have done my taxes without them.
    Last year my son received a taxable stipend from a scholarship;
    according to the paperwork we received, he had to file as a business to claim the stipend. What a nightmare, I felt like crying but luckily TaxCut walked me through the whole thing. He also had a 1099 from an employer who didn’t take out any taxes and classified him as an independent contractor. I ended up being able to use TaxCut to file a dispute with the IRS over that 1099 and that employer reissued the proper tax paperwork.

  13. Tim |  Jan 18, 2009 at 12:31 am

    you should make it easy and just send me a copy now

  14. Kim |  Jan 18, 2009 at 2:31 am

    Thanks for the chance to get a copy. Doing taxes is definitely no fun but the software helps a lot.

  15. Frank |  Jan 18, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    I like Taxcut much better than TurboTax with it’s Microsoft like activation. I haven’t used it since they started that. I always though Taxcut was much smoother to use anyway and it does a good job for me.

  16. Chatak |  Jan 18, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Please enter me to win.
    Here is my tax question…

    This ya we ad a baby, and we have lots of hospital bills to pay from pregnency. Can we get Tax credit for the bills we paid to hospital.Please let me is there any way to do this.

    Thank you.

  17. Jennifer English |  Jan 18, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    I did my taxes by hand until last year when I started using TaxCut. It would be lovely to get a free copy.

  18. ann |  Jan 18, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    i have all my numbers organized on a spreadsheet for 08… now all i need to do is the number crunching, the worst part!

  19. x |  Jan 18, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    x

  20. mbhunter |  Jan 18, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    I’ve found the IRS phone lines to be extremely helpful. It may take a while to talk to a live person but it’s usually worth it.

  21. John |  Jan 18, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    Count me in :-)

  22. lou delurgio |  Jan 19, 2009 at 1:18 am

    Are individual federal income taxes illegal – maybe not – but they are absolutely forbidden in the original US Constitution – and the founders were clear in their statements in the ‘Federalist Papers’ the federal income tax should never be allowed…. here’s the appropriate statement in the original Constitution: No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

    here’s the 16′th ammendment that turned the individual federal income tax into a continuing glut of money (and power) for the federal government: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

    I am 100% against the 16′th ammendment and would vote to restore the original US Constituion’s stand against federal individual income taxes…. but what about you (the person reading this) what do you think… feel free to post here – or – email me at loisdil@yahoo.com — thanks

  23. Bala |  Jan 19, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    I always have been using TurboTax. Was not happy with Taxcut the one time that I had used.
    But if I can get a free copy, will not mind either one.

  24. Justin Lee |  Jan 19, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    I usually use TurboTax but have been considering TaxCut since I can’t seem to find anything about TurboTax on the Mac.

  25. nitesh |  Jan 19, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    Awesome ..thanks

  26. Stephen |  Jan 19, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Software to do my taxes would be very much appreciated!

  27. x |  Jan 19, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    this would be a great help to the tax season, thank you sun for the opportunity. not really tax related, but i was finally able to fully fund my ira this past year…it will be nice to put that in one of those forms.

  28. Laurie |  Jan 20, 2009 at 8:41 am

    I’ve always used Turbo Tax and love it! If Tax Cut is similar I would use it if I had it. Anything but old fashioned pencil and paper! Argh!

  29. Judie |  Jan 20, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    I’d love to have a free software.

  30. Jeff S |  Jan 20, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    Pick me!

    I’ve used TaxCut, TaxAct and Turbo Tax in the past. For various reasons I have tried them all. I would probably say that I have found Turbo Tax to be the most comprehensive for me in the past, but TaxCut isn’t far behind.

  31. Yvonne |  Jan 21, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Great for tax season!

  32. lindas |  Jan 21, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    This is in answer to Chatak’s question about having a baby and whether she can get a tax credit for all the prenatal dr. visits and hospital bills. You need to make a list of all the bills you’ve paid that are related to pregnancy and birth, can also include other medical bills too. The IRS allows you to deduct medical and dental expenses, if you choose to itemize your deductions. Of course this only applies to bills paid out of pocket and not by your insurance company or HSA account. Go to IRS.gov and do a search on medical deductions and it explains it for you. If you use a tax software program to prepare your return, choose to itemize your deductions and then put in the total amount you paid for medical bills when asked.

    Hope this helps. I’ve done my own taxes since I was a teenager. I’ve been using the free version of TaxAct since 2001 but it would be nice to have the special features of a deluxe software program. Please pick me! :-)

  33. Chelsea with Quicken |  Jan 21, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    Hi Sun,

    Thanks for mentioning me, @QuickenPRChels (http://twitter.com/QuickenPRChels). Glad @TurboTaxAshley (http://twitter.com/TurboTaxAshley) and I could help kick off the tax season.

    Also, @Justin Lee, TurboTax can be used on either the Mac or PC platforms. Everyone else, thanks for your kind words about TurboTax.

    - Chelsea, Quicken

  34. Chatak |  Jan 21, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    To Linda

    Thank you for your answer in details.
    It really helps.

  35. Ming |  Jan 22, 2009 at 1:24 am

    That is a great blog!
    I’d love to have free software!

  36. Wu |  Jan 22, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    I just got my W-2 today. It would be nice to start preparing my taxes with a free software.

  37. Srikks |  Jan 22, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    Timely gift for the tax season!! Count me in, to win!!

  38. Wayne S |  Jan 23, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Pick me, pick me, please!

  39. Kathleen |  Jan 23, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    We just had our first child last year so I’m curious to see how our tax return will play out this year. I also work at home, so it gets confusing with claiming my taxes. I know Turbo Tax would help.

  40. Tyler |  Jan 24, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Awaiting the day to deduct more than the standard deduction!

  41. Tammy |  Jan 24, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    I use TurboTax software every year.

  42. Marcus |  Jan 24, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    I’ve used TurboTax before so put me down for a chance at the giveaway.

    Thanks and great blog by the way!

  43. Bigmike |  Jan 24, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    I use either one, depends on the year and price. Thanks for the chance!

  44. Brandon |  Jan 24, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    I have used TurboTax Deluxe for the past 4 years…I love it…It gets better every year!

  45. Sara |  Jan 24, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    My Dad has always helped me complete my taxes, but I want to go it alone this year and think that Turbo Tax Deluxe will be a great help. I’m excited to use it.

  46. Chris |  Jan 24, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    This would be a great help to our family, since we can’t itemize or do the free e-file. We had our first child last year, so I’m anxious to see how our taxes play out. Thanks!

  47. Denise |  Jan 25, 2009 at 8:53 am

    I would love a free copy of tax software. TurboTax has increased in price this year but offers 5 federal e-files for free. I have never used TaxCut. Have a great day and thanks for running this contest. Hope I’m not too late to enter. :)

  48. Carl Gussgard |  Jan 25, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Thanks! Love these software programs – makes doing taxes tolerable. Cheers!

  49. Yang |  Jan 25, 2009 at 10:45 am

    I’ve been using pen & paper since my situation in the last three years were more complicated than the tax software could handle. I’m looking forward to get a copy of Turbo Tax this year to give software another try.

  50. Amrit Tuladhar |  Jan 25, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Is the contest still on? I could certainly use it too! And thanks for running the contest!

  51. richerandslimmer.com |  Jan 27, 2009 at 3:28 am

    I use turbo tax and love it. It will be great to get a free copy.
    Thanks.