Conference nyoss1::market_investing

    PC Zone		1-800-258-8088 (WA)
    PC Connection	1-800-243-8008 (NH)
    Telemart		1-800-622-6659 (AZ)
    Micro Warehouse	1-800-367-7080 (NJ)
    ComputAbility	1-800-558-0003 (WI)

    If you have a MAC, you can order MacIntax directly from:
    
    ChipSoft Inc.
    Personal Division
    P.O. Box 85709
    San Diego, CA 92186-5709
    
    (619) 453-8722  (Sales)
    (800) 755-1040  (FAX order)
    
    

Thank you for previous replies!

I found a copy at a local store.  The package for the Windows version
says "First Edition" (the package for the DOS version says "Final Edition").  
The sales person insists that the windows version is the final version.
Can someone please verify? 

Thanx!

Maybe, This is the first year for the windows based version. So It being marked
"First Edition" maybe correct. The early version that shipped in Dec are marked
"Head Start Edition" for TurboTax. You might also call 1-800-EGG-HEAD to 
confirm.

    Not sure if this goes here, but after looking around, it seems most
    suited.
    
    I have just ordered MacInTax 93 and am getting the pre-final edition (I
    forget what they call it) about mid-Nov and the final edition in Jan
    94.  I asked Chip-soft how accurate the pre-final version was with
    regard to the new tax laws.  The answer was vague.  It has incorporated
    some of the new laws, but not all.
    
    I am trying to get an accurate estimate of my taxes this year with the
    retro-active taxes that Clinton has requested and been granted by
    Congress.  I am not convinced by the re-assurances from Washington that
    only the 'rich' (i.e. taxable income over $100K) will have a problem. 
    That may be but what about SS and Medicare for 93?
    
    Anyway, I wander a bit.  Does anybody have a better idea of the
    accuracy that can be expected by tax software being published now?
    
    Ralph

    Where can I find Share-TAX/1040? Last year it had a name of STAX93 but
    don't remember where I found it. Does anyone know where I can find
    STAX94 on easynet or the internet?
    
    If anyone is interested, amtax94, another shareware tax program, is
    located in winnah::"/ftp/msdos/taxes".
    
    Please post any other pointers to shareware/freeware tax programs here.
    
    Ray

    I am thinking of using a PC based tax program to do my income tax this
    year. I am trying to find some information regarding all the different
    programs offered out there on the market. Companies like Intuit,
    Parsons Technology, etc., they all offer a different version of tax
    program. I'd like to hear some first-hand experiences with any of these
    programs. What are the things you like and what are the things you
    dislike about the program you have used? If you would please share some
    of opinions, that would help me in searching the "right" program to do
    my taxes for 1995. I am sure other people can benefit from your input
    as well.
    
    Thanks in advance!
    
    Mike

I have been a satisfied user of the Mac version of Intuit's TurboTax for the
past few years.  Since they change the user interface every year, my comments
may not carry forward.

The opening approach is your choice: either by form (if you're an experienced
tax filer) or by questionnaire.  Last year I thought it would be insightful to
pretend I had never done a tax form before, and I subjected myself to computer
interrogation.  At the end, I was really upset at how many loopholes there are
in the tax code for special interests such as horse owners and clergymen. 

My tax returns one year were especially complex because I was residing abroad.
To my delight, every form I needed was included in the Federal tax package.  
The MA state package lacked Form 2201F, but Intuit said they would consider my 
suggestion to add that obscure form.

When you print, not only do you get the final forms beautifully filled out, 
you also get (at your option) back-up worksheets to help you remember material 
if your return is ever questioned.

Quicken users will like the import feature of this tax package.  State tax 
filers should note that Intuit offers a separate package for almost every 
state that has an income tax.

In addition, there is a planning mode so you can begin to fill out next year's
form during the new tax year, using last year's rules of course.  When you get
next year's package, you can do an import. 

I caution users to double-check results, since even Intuit can stumble.  Last 
year, for example, they tripped up on the different way from the Federal
government Massachusetts treats certain transactions  -- a complexity which
should not surprise MA taxpayers.  Intuit notified me by mail three times, 
noting how I could step around the problem manually and also offering me a new
set of diskettes if I wanted them.

Best of all, Intuit guarantees to pay penalties and interest if the error was 
caused by their software.  They may be unique in this guarantee.

    I've used Parsons Technology's Personal Tax Edge (PTE) for a couple of
    years.  It works well for me; has a lot of the features mentioned in the 
    previous reply.  Like TurboTax PTE lets you enter data a few different
    ways.  Parsons offered the 1996 version for $16 plus shipping
    ($5) so I ordered it; should be here in January. I passed on the
    package for doing Mass. state tax.
    
    Note: Parsons is now owned by Intuit.  Will both tax prep packages
          survive, or will PTE users be asked to migrate to TurboTax?