TurboTax vs. TaxCut vs. TaxAct: look and feel - part 3

February 11, 10:54 AMGadgets ExaminerDan Appleman

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Each package has a distinctive user interface

A good user interface reduces the time it takes to do your taxes by minimizing actions (such as mouse clicks), speeding navigation (the time it takes to find and select an interview or form), and offering context sensitive help.

TurboTax

TurboTax has a very polished user interface that is intuitive to use. Most value fields support itemized lists. The itemized dialog includes a small calculator window for convenience in performing quick calculations. Each itemized list is associated tightly with the entry field – you can access it with a simple right click on the value field. Estimated values are easily identified by italicized red text. Pressing help will bring up detailed help for any field that is currently selected (with F1 help supported in forms mode).

Detail pages are bound to fields, and have a handy calculator

TaxCut

TaxCut’s user interface is not quite as intuitive as TurboTax. While most value fields do support itemized lists, the way these lists work is different. With TurboTax the detailed list is bound directly to the value field. With TaxCut, when you open an itemized list you get a list of all itemizations to choose from. If you didn’t remember to name your list, you’ll have to choose based on the form and line number. So looking at an itemization for a value is less direct and intuitive – however, for those who use itemizations frequently, this approach allows for two click navigation to any itemization in the return. Estimated values are identified by an asterisk – clear, but not as obvious as the TurboTax approach. Pressing the help button brings up a list of help topics related to the area of the interview, but you have to drill down further to find the line by line instructions and the instructions specific to the current field. TaxCut tends to rely more on IRS publications than TurboTax for help.

Be sure to enter a title - two two step navigation means you'll need
to use that title if you hope to find the detail page again.

TaxAct

The default split-screen nature of TaxAct and interview question approach is intuitive, but will take getting used to if you are switching from TurboTax or TaxCut. The itemized lists are bound directly to the value field as with TurboTax, and are functional though not quite as appealing as those of TurboTax (and lack the built-in calculator). Estimated values are marked in red. The lower pane in the split screen can instantly switch between the form, form instructions, and a tutorial based on the J.K. Lassers content. F1 help is not context sensitive – you have to use the help button on the form to get direct help for the form you are working in.

The comments section is a nice touch in TaxAct

Overall, TaxCut’s user interface is busier and less intuitive than the other two packages, but once you’re used to it, you can use it to get around quickly. TaxAct’s split screen approach (see part 2 of the series for an example) is particularly elegant.

TurboTax vs. TaxCut vs. TaxAct reviewed:

• Part 1 - Introduction
• Part 2 - The interviews
• Part 4 - Forms
• Part 5 - Pricing
• Part 6 - Conclusion