Thinking of using TurboTax to do your taxes this year? Think again!!!

Are you one of those believers in the quality of Intuit products?  Have you seen the commercials for TurboTax offering you assurance of professionals available to assist you in doing your taxes?

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has recently issued a warning notice to tax return preparers not to use Intuit's TurboTax, ProSeries, Lacerte, and Intuit Online, to file tax returns.  It cited multiple issues and unacceptable errors, including calculation errors, from the use of Intuit's tax software.

As a Certified Public Accountant familiar with ProSeries, Lacerte, and QuickBooks, I am not surprised.  I have found a number of issues with ProSeries, which I brought to the attention of Intuit on more than one occasion.  And I have written a couple of blogs in an attempt to notify others about issues and practices that I found "unacceptable" with Intuit and its software.

For instance, very recently, Intuit had been withdrawing money directly out of my bank account, using an anonymous identifier, Bankcard MTOT Disc.  Needless to say, I had never agreed to these monthly charges nor ever used the services for which it was withdrawing funds directly out of my bank account.  If you efile using TurboTax, and elect direct deposit or payment, Intuit will have your bank account number.

Also I know something about the professionals that Intuit boasts that it hires to assist individuals in preparing tax returns using TurboTax.  These so-called "professionals" are paid as little as $18/hour.  Do you know any Certified Public Accountants or Tax Attorneys, worth their salt, who are willing to work for $18/hour?  I don't.

So buyer beware.  The tax agencies may be scrutinizing the tax returns of individuals using TurboTax.

Now seriously, do you wish to risk a tax audit needlessly?

To read the Minnesota Department of Revenue notice warning against using TurboTax, please read,

Thinking of using TurboTax to file your tax returns?  Think again.  The Minnesota Department of Revenue advises you not to use Intuit to file your tax returns!