A less taxing alternative: e-filing software can help keep you ahead of the IRS - Tech Options - Product/Service Evaluation

Black Enterprise, March, 2003 by Rebecca Rohan

* Can import data from dozens of financial partners such as A.G. Edwards and W-2 eXpress

* Up to five e-filings

* Video instructions aren't necessary, but are a nice addition. Includes electronic copy of Money magazine's Income Tax Handbook

Pricing

* Federal software: $49.95 after mail-in rebate

* Federal e-filing: one free after mail-in rebate, then $14.95

* State software: one free after mail-in rebate, and $29.95 for others

* State e-filing: $8.95

* Advice by phone: $19.95 for 10 minutes (can be in multiple calls within 10 days)

TAXACT 2002 DELUXE 2ND STORY SOFTWARE WWW.TAXACT.COM

TaxAct has a unique appearance, with seven large icons arranged in a circle (but numbered in order). As with the other programs, you can skip around. But you can also use Continue buttons within each topic to cover everything from start to finish. As you enter data for the questions asked, the answers sometimes appear on a mock tax form. You can choose to go through the program in the forms view. Many IRS forms are included. The Life Events button allows you to go directly to topics such as a birth, job change, marriage, inheritance, lottery winnings, or lawsuit. You can jump to a summary of your return at any time during the process. And you can select whether to automatically save the information.

Special features

* Can import last year's TaxAct return

* Links to Keen.com advice service, where customer can choose among advisors with prices listed

* Up to five e-filings

* TaxWatch feature tells you where your federal tax dollars are spent and makes planning for next year as important as completing this year's taxes. It even prints a new W-4 to prevent over-or under-withholding

Pricing

* Federal Software price: $9.95

* Federal e-filing: One free, up to four additional at $7.95 each

* State software price: $12.95

* State e-filing: $7.95. TaxACT 2002 Deluxe and TaxACT 2002 State with bonus free federal e-file: $19.95

Last-Minute

Whether you use pen and paper, software, or a professional tax preparer, remember you can get help at the IRS hotline at 800829-1040. Be sure to write down the name and employee number of the person with whom you spoke. You'll need this information in case you don't understand the answer or don't think it's correct. You can follow up on your refund at the around-the-clock, self-service tax refund hotline at 800-829-1954.