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Romy · Feb 11, 2006, 02:34 PM

[delurking as a first time poster here]
I hope I can warn others before it's too late, but TurboTax (Premier is the version I bought) doesn't work in anything earlier than 10.2.8, and it appears that Intuit is not providing a patch. Last year there was no problem with using earlier Mac versions. Last year I did extensive research before purchasing. This year I didn't and it's tough luck for me. Meanwhile at the Intuit user forum there is a lot of rage from PC users about how the program stinks this year, and how people are questioning the accuracy issue.

What other programs are being used out there that people can vouch for for 2005? and also, let the buyer beware. Once the seals are broken the program can't be returned to MacConnection.

In case it hasn't been mentioned, MacConnection isn't exactly a Mac friendly place anymore. They use the Mac name but the sales people from what I have ascertained are not Mac hip. As an aside I've bought 5 complete systems from there, including three for my college student children and it would seem that as a long time user there should be some consideration, but no cigar, even after much attempts at logical reasoning with their customer service rep.

Dork. · Feb 11, 2006, 04:48 PM

Wow, that sucks! I have TurboTax, but I also have Tiger, so no problems here. It seems accurate to me, although I found a nasty bug last year. Thanks for letting us all know about the version snafu!

And a reminder to everyone that you ought to go over all your forms on your tax return for accuracy no matter what method you use for filling them out, and especially if you E-file!

mania · Feb 11, 2006, 06:28 PM

the online version works great in mac browsers - been using it for years!

too bad intuit cannot make their online quickbooks work without IE.

CatOne · Feb 11, 2006, 06:44 PM

What Mac OS version are you using?

OmniGroup's page shows that 100% of their users are on 10.2 or newer:

http://update.omnigroup.com/

Are you on OS 9?

ghporter · Feb 11, 2006, 08:49 PM

I used the PC version this year, and frankly it didn't "stink." It was only slightly different from last year's version, and further it gave me no reason to think it wasn't accurate. It should be noted that the tax code got significantly weirder this year because of a number of tax breaks provided to people who were affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, so there were a number of steps in the interview process that seemed odd-unless you actually read the "what's this about" sort of help offered at every single step. Dork. is right about reviewing your tax forms, particularly your e-filed forms; it's still your responsibility to submit an accurate return. While it takes more time to do so, I usually read not just the TurboTax help on each area, but the tax form instructions too so I know what the software is doing with my numbers.

I will continue running TurboTax (on my PC because that's where I started using it years ago).

It does suck that they aren't providing a patch for earlier versions of OS X, but the box does clearly state "Mac OS X (10.2.8)" so they didn't actually mislead you.

Romy · Feb 11, 2006, 09:16 PM

Just a couple of clarifications here. I do have classic and 10.2.2 but before everyone starts jumping all over me let me say that I've bought four Macs in the past 7 years for my kids in college. First an Indigo IMAC then one of those white IMACs with the flat screen with the CPU like the melon, last January a gorgeous 15" powerbook for my daughter. Also I bought a used G4 tower for myself in between because it was the last to still run classic. In the three I bought new, the software which was shipped with it couldn't be installed on any system other than the one it came with. Thus I was buying all these systems but unless I specifically paid for system upgrades for MY system, I couldn't use the CD's that came with the IMACS for example. But my kids have all the newer systems. The powerbook has 10.3.something so it's not like I've been living in the dark ages. I just think it stinks to have to pay twice for everything. That and not to mention the software you need to start paying for again once you upgrade the system, when what you already have might be working perfectly well for your needs.

Regarding it being stated clearly (minimum 10.2.8) on the box that's true. But I bought it from MacConnection and in the catalogue I bought it from, the current one, it doesn't say about TurboTax that it requires a specific system. Since I had used it successfully last year it didn't occur to me that all of a sudden older mac users needed to do the research to be sure they would be compatible. Yes it was on the box and foolishly and gleefully I opened it when it arrived. So no more buying from Mac -- oops Imean PC -- Connection for me. Oh and BTW did you notice on that box that that Turbo Tax works with Windows 98?

Regarding other user problems, I'm glad the moderator did okay with TT on his PC but I might recommend others check out the intuit user forum where under the folder on install there are a lot of mighty mad PC users but I don't know enough to evaluate whether they are just blowing smoke or not. However, they were previously satisfied users and that does say something. When you are doing schedule C's your requirements get real complicated.

Please don't chastise me for not being up to date. I have gotten all the systems I bought up to date and running smoothly with software and peripherals before sending them off with the kids and I have received a lot of help from this forum every single time as there were ALWAYS new issues to deal with when the macs came out of the box. In case anyone is interested, I make my living as a freelance medical transcriptionist, on my Mac which is against the grain of that profession, and I will challenge anyone here to a word processing dual for speed, accuracy and design, and I will beat the pants off anyone fair and square. If I'm not the fastest and the best I don't make money and I have yet to see anything in the newer systems that would justify my jumping back on that technology upgrade train. I did that in the early 90's and it nearly killed me, in the time it took to learn and $$ consumption.

And thanks to all of you for all your help and for this forum over the years because you have been a great research tool, although this is the first time I have ever posted here.
Romy

msuper69 · Feb 11, 2006, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by CatOne

What Mac OS version are you using?

OmniGroup's page shows that 100% of their users are on 10.2 or newer:

http://update.omnigroup.com/

Are you on OS 9?

What does the OmniGroup have to do with TurboTax?

bowwowman · Feb 12, 2006, 06:09 AM

Just another reason to use the ONLINE version of TT..... 6 years & counting

no fuss, no muss!

just point & clik your way to e-file heaven.... (this year you MUST use Safari though, it wont work with any other Mac browser )

no downloads, no installs, no updates, no patches ect ect ect

bowwowman · Feb 12, 2006, 06:12 AM

What does the OmniGroup have to do with TurboTax?

yea, I was wondering the same thing, especially the page that is linked ???????????

ghporter · Feb 12, 2006, 09:38 AM

Ok, now I understand why you were upset at MacConnection. And now I can say "send it back." They did not tell you that the software would only work with a specific minimum (not baseline) version of the OS you have, so THEY goofed up and they should take it back. And then use TurboTax online to file.

Dork. · Feb 12, 2006, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

What does the OmniGroup have to do with TurboTax?

I think his point was that most Macs that are being actively used have 10.2 or newer installed, using Omni's statistics as an example. So it's not unreasonable that developers use 10.2 (and 10.2.8 in particular, since everyone on 10.2 can upgrade to 10.2.8 for free) as a baseline for support.

From what I've read about OS X, there was an awful lot going on "under the hood" between major OS releases, and quite a few apps broke between major OS upgrades. With Tiger, many API's have been deemed "stable", so we should see less of this going forward.

rickey939 · Feb 12, 2006, 11:47 AM

I returned TurboTax due to the fact that the program states that I owe money instead of getting a tax refund this year. Must be an error in the code or something.

Romy · Feb 12, 2006, 11:53 AM

bowwowman, NOW you tell me? (just kidding)

MacConnection is playing hardball with me because I broke the seal and didn't look before I broke the seal. They're not taking it back. However, I am contesting it on my VISA and I have the catalogue I ordered from to prove it they didn't warn me about the system requirements. I'm playing hardball back on this one. Now that it's too late I realize I shouldn't have trusted the old way to still work (i.e. CD installation vs online).

From what I am beginning to understand about Mac users and the Mac world is that they are being discriminated against at BOTH ends of the spectrum. First there's the extreme loyalists (such as me for example) who bought my first mac in 1988 and purchased every single piece of software and update I have installed. Apple has refused to support me unless I continue to fork over the $$$ regularly with or without the need to do so. At the other end of the spectrum are the new G5 purchasers who are unable to get the hardware they need because developers aren't quick to make patches available for Tiger. I learned a long time ago not ever to try to argue with anyone who tries to convince me to abandom mac and go with the PC masses. I just type along productively and happily and I LMAO at the questions from the poor PC people who have to call a programmer hold their hand every step of the way. The reason I chose mac in the 80's was because of the power it gave me to control my system. I still have that plus I'm compatible with the rest of the world in every way with their stupid PC files and moronic attempts at trying to use Excel to type a letter and idiotic stuff like that, and I simply refuse to participate in any "PC is superior" arguments.

Originally Posted by bowwowman

Just another reason to use the ONLINE version of TT..... 6 years & counting

no fuss, no muss!

just point & clik your way to e-file heaven.... (this year you MUST use Safari though, it wont work with any other Mac browser )

no downloads, no installs, no updates, no patches ect ect ect

slugslugslug · Feb 12, 2006, 12:44 PM

Two things, Romy:

1) If MacConnection is implying that they would've taken it back had you not broken the seal, it is kinda hard to feel bad for you at this point. In my opinion, it doesn't make sense for a catalog to list the system requirements for everything they sell. Especially when you're talking about a print catalog, where if they make a mistake (and with as many products and system requirements as we're talking about, they're bound to), they can't just change it like they could on the web. Although, for that matter, most print catalogs specifically say they're not responsible for typos. But anyway, having an OS that's been superseded 2x now, it behooves you to check the requirements on the box before you open it (or on the developer's web site before you even order)

2) Wait, you're saying you have 10.2.2? On the computer you're using with TurboTax? Do you that you can update to the latest 10.2.x for free, via Software Update? Just do that and then install TurboTax.

P.S. Just so I'm not being a complete jerk, I do think it would make sense for MacConnection to bend their rules for someone who's bought so many systems from them, even though they have no obligation to..

CatOne · Feb 12, 2006, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Romy

Just a couple of clarifications here. I do have classic and 10.2.2 but before everyone starts jumping all over me let me say that I've bought four Macs in the past 7 years for my kids in college.

Why not just run Software Update? You can upgrade from 10.2.2 to 10.2.8 for free.

It's very typical for software companies to only support the laste patch of older OS's. e.g. 10.2.8, 10.3.9, or recent versions of 10.4.

Oneota · Feb 12, 2006, 01:01 PM

Indeed - a quick trip to Software Update to bring your machine to 10.2.8 will solve your problem nicely. Or a quick trip to the nearest Apple Store to grab a copy of Tiger. Either one.

Romy · Feb 13, 2006, 12:41 PM

Hmmmm. Running the software update and the compatibility problem is solved. Leave it to MacNN to solve what both MacConnection AND Turbo Tax never thought to suggest. How simple and elegant.

Actually though, I had an even simpler solution. I called up my kid and demanded she come down and leave her laptop with me for a day so I could proceed.

Cats are skinned in many ways. But this forum, with its collective creativity, seems eventually to be able to find a solution for everything.

ghporter · 03:45 PM

Rickey, you forgot to get the version with the rebate! That makes it all better!

In fact, this year I seem to have not gotten a rebate form in the box... Just checked again and no rebate for TurboTax itself. Just a rebate for buying Quicken with TurboTax...not gonna do that. In previous years there was a rebate for the e-filing fee, which made the $20 TurboTax Basic wind up being $5 with a $15 e-filing fee. Hmmm. Gotta check Intuit's site.

Edit just moments later: Nope. No more TurboTax rebates. Read all about it here.

They say the rebates were too confusing and customers complained, so they basically lowered their prices by bundling the state product with the federal product. Fine, except that it helps me none at all; Texas has no state income tax. Neither do Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Washington, or Wyoming. Oh well. I already got my refund...

Eriamjh · Feb 19, 2006, 09:05 PM

No rebates this year, but no free e-filing for anyone with more then $50K of AGI.

Turbo Tax decided that they need to screw the not-quite rich. With the taxes I pay, e-filing should be FREE!

Looks like I'm back to mailing the refund. Stupid stamps.

ghporter · Feb 20, 2006, 07:49 AM

It was still worthwhile for me. My rebate was substantial so e-filing and having it directly deposited got it to me exactly on time (10 days after I filed). And considering the e-filing cost ($15), I can't see begrudging that much to have my money as fast as possible.

Maflynn · Feb 20, 2006, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Turbo Tax decided that they need to screw the not-quite rich. With the taxes I pay, e-filing should be FREE!

No one is twisting your arm in using e-filing. I never expected this to be a free benefit for too long anyways. Thery're in business to make money and this just another way to do so. for the price its worth the speed.

Eriamjh · Feb 21, 2006, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by Maflynn

No one is twisting your arm in using e-filing. I never expected this to be a free benefit for too long anyways. Thery're in business to make money and this just another way to do so. for the price its worth the speed.

The government wants EVRYONE to e-file. It SAVES them money. Why not just make it free for anyone?

The problem is Intuit et al has colluded with the government so that they can FORCE us to pay them to use a service the government offers. It sounds illegal to me, like paying a fee to get social security forms.

This stinks. $15 is a crazy fee to make it easier for the government to process my taxes. If anything, paper filing should have the fee.