Filed under: Software
TaxCut for Macintosh No More
H&R Block has decided not to make a Mac-compatible version of TaxCut for 2005. I've been successfully using Intuit's TurboTax (previously MacinTax) for years, but I'm still disappointed that another manufacturer has decided to abandon the Mac platform. Perhaps it wouldn't matter so much if the web-based tax software tools worked as advertised. The only year I attempted to use a web-based tax software tool was 2003 and quickly abandoned it in favor of the more robust and easier-to-use application software.Their emailed response to my inquiry about a Mac version for 2005 was:
Thank you for contacting H&R Block Customer Service.
We appreciate your interest in pre-ordering your TaxCut software for 2005. Unfortunately, TaxCut is not offering Macintosh-compatible desktop software for your 2005 taxes. We encourage you to try one of our Web-based online tax solutions at www.hrblock.com.
If you have further questions or concerns, please "reply" to this e-mail. H&R Block values you as a TaxCut customer and looks forward to serving as your tax and financial partner in the future.
Sincerely,
Tyler S
H&R Block Customer Service Team
If you'd like, you can send some feedback to TaxCut using this URL. If you do, please be polite.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeremy said 1:32PM on 11-08-2005
Interesting. I tried using TaxCut one year, and subsequently abandoned it in favor of the more robust, easier-to-use web-based solutions. Been using TurboTax Web for several years now with great success.
Considering how abysmally bad financial software invariably is on the Mac, you would think that someone (Apple!) would have filled this glaring void by now. I actually have to use Windows to manage finances!
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John Laur said 1:57PM on 11-08-2005
I jumped ship on TurboTax after their DRM debacle -- even though it was on Windows, I didn't appreciate it the thought process behind it. I'm dissapointed now that I will probably have to go back to giving TurboTax my money.
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Joshua Ochs said 4:55PM on 11-08-2005
Jeremy, agreed. Quicken itself has been lagging on the Mac for years, and its something that every new Mac owner has to experience, since it's bundled with all new machines (at least consumer ones). Intuit has been sitting on unfixed bugs for going on a decade now. While Apple can only spread itself so thin, I'd love to see an Apple-made finance solution.
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kg said 8:50PM on 11-08-2005
I too tried TaxCut for the 2002 tax year, when they were half the price of the inflating and 'diversifying' TurboTax, yet promised to import 2001 year TT data. That turned out to be a huge mistake. I came to the conclusion that TaxCut was a subversive advertisement for HR Block offices, because many people would likely get so frustrated and desperate, they'd end up having to turn it all over to a human as April 15 approaches. My review is still up on Amazon (Good, Bad, Ugly, Fugly). I had wished that it could act as a warning to subsequent years' versions, but I guess that's all good now.
Not that TurboTax isn't going down the toilet either, but it's a slower flush.
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shirster said 3:47AM on 11-09-2005
This is probably off topic, but I would like to share with you the response I got from MYOB's sales rep after enquiring about the Mac version of their product -
--------------------------------------------------
My email to Steve Dobosh:
Hi Steve,
I'm interested in buying MYOB for mac, and I'll probably need more
than a couple of copies. I know that MYOB Hong Kong does not carry Mac
version, could you please let me know how I can buy the software for
use in Hong Kong?
Many thanks !
Shirley
--------------------------------------------------
His email to me:
We do not sell a mac version for Hong Kong.
--------------------------------------------------
That's it. No "Hi Shirley" nor "Thanks, Steve". Maybe he's just too busy to write a better response.
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Joe said 7:56AM on 11-09-2005
I've used both TaxCut and TurboTax boxed versions, but for the last couple of years I've been using and recommending web-based tools. I don't think we are seeing a simple drop of Mac support, this is the beginning of the end for the boxed products.
Why pay $30-$50 for a boxed product when you can use a web-based equivalent for free? Yes, free - just start at the IRS web site to get the free offers. Even if you choose to pay, the web versions typically cost about half. And while 2003 was a nightmare of browser compatibility problems, 2004 was a smooth experience.
On the business side, why make and ship two different products when you can put one on the web that works on all platforms, incidentally reducing support costs (no updates to package and deliver)?
Give it another couple of years, but the Windows version is going too.
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ValkRaider said 2:16PM on 11-15-2005
I sent them a letter pointing out that the Macintosh user base is *growing* and I received this reply:
"H&R Block has discontinued its TaxCut for Macintosh software this year. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to invest and enhance our Macintosh products over the past several years, customer demand has continued to decline. Due to poor sales we've decided to discontinue Macintosh development for this year. We will continue to evaluate the market viability for Macintosh based products in the future."
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Edwin Powell said 9:03AM on 11-22-2005
The past couple of years, I've used the Web-based version of TaxACT with good results, especially considering that the first year I used it, I had he most complicated return of my life. That year, the federal return was free and the state return cost me a whopping $8.00. Last year, the cost was $15.00 for both returns. That's an incredible bargain, considering the one year I had a professional preparer do it, they charged me over $130!
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Timothy Burling said 11:10AM on 11-25-2005
For those, like Jeremy and Joshua, concerned to find a workable personal finance solution, can I please put in a plug for Moneydance (www.moneydance.com). My experience is that it's powerful enough for my needs, easy to use and cross-platform (Linux, Mac, WIndows), being java-based.
I love it!
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Moi said 1:13PM on 12-09-2005
Here's my beef:
I've been using TaxCut for the past three years. All my business data (particularly equipment depreciation) is in there. I can't move it to another program, per this e-mail from Intuit:
"Thank you for contacting Intuit Tax Products Customer Service & Support.
Unfortunately the makers of TaxCut have encrypted their data and do not wish for us to be able to transfer their data into our program. We are unable to import from their saved file anymore. "
To say I'm pissed is to put it lightly. If the program is no longer being made available for the Mac, why do they need to lock down the data?
Bastids.
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Aliza Carpio said 8:06PM on 12-09-2005
TurboTax is available on cd and on the web (TurboTax online) for Mac Users! Also, TurboTax will be on exhibit in January's MacWorld Conference (January 10-13th) in San Francisco. If you'd like to learn more about this product, stop by the booth and meet with the TurboTax exhibit team.
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Aliza Carpio said 8:06PM on 12-09-2005
TurboTax is available on cd and on the web (TurboTax online) for Mac Users! Also, TurboTax will be on exhibit in January's MacWorld Conference (January 10-13th) in San Francisco. If you'd like to learn more about this product, stop by the booth and meet with the TurboTax exhibit team.
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