To say the least, the TaxACT interface is uncluttered. But although it won't win any beauty contests, it's entirely serviceable, and in some ways, more straightforward than the interfaces of either TurboTax Home and Business 2007 and H&R Block TaxCut Home & Business 2007. Its interactive form highlights the item for which you're entering data. You can input the required information by filling out the entry boxes in the upper half of the screen or by clicking on any entry area in the actual form and typing the data there.
Certainly keeping the interface simple reduces costs, but maybe the developers should invest a tiny bit more in some of its aspects.
A small icon of a writing hand appears next to any currently selected text- or number-entry field. Clicking on it brings up a nifty calculator that lets you total line items that contribute to the field. A tool to calculate line items for my apartment number seems a bit strange, but since you can print the list, you might want to pop it up to make notes on a thought that just came to mind, having nothing to do with the field you're on currently.
Hovering the mouse cursor over a section tab drops down a menu that shows you the steps you'll go through in that section or selections you can make and lets you jump directly to a particular step or selection. When you make such a jump, hitting the back button will (in most cases) actually return you to where you just were rather than taking you to a previous step in the sequence you jumped to—an annoying behavior of both TurboTax Home and Business 2007 and H&R Block TaxCut Home & Business 2007. Also, note that, unlike those two products, this one has has real-live back and forward buttons on the toolbar (and they work the way you'd expect).
This section works differently than its counterpart in TurboTax Home and Business 2007 and H&R Block TaxCut Home & Business 2007. Instead of stepping through categories of events, one after the other, you pick an event type, TaxACT steps you through it, then returns you to this screen where you pick another. Some of the choices, such as Bankruptcy, merely present an explanation. Others, such as "Bought a home" may also have you fill in information. This method can be a bit confusing and cumbersome, but it also lays out the many different considerations more clearly.
In the Federal Q&A you can follow the "cover one subject and return to pick another" method of Life Events tab or you can be taken through the sequential category-by-category method the other big consumer tax packages use—although nothing explicitly alerts you to the fact that you have a choice. To follow the second method, click on the Repeat Full Q&A button rather than choosing a particular topic.
As with other tax applications, this one checks your return for mistakes that will prevent filling, items that appear to be in error but might not be, and areas where you might have missed deductions (Red, Yellow, and Green Alerts, respectively).
TaxACT gives you a report on current and future asset depreciation.
This report, which compares the major items from the previous year's Federal return with this year's provides another useful way to check for mistakes and oversights.
TaxACT gives you a few utility apps that can help you devise a financial plan for the coming year.
The Federal tax calculator lets you compare different scenarios to see what financial plan will result in the lowest taxes.
TaxAct gives you direct access to forms like the 1040.
If you don't complete your return in time for the deadline, TaxAct gives you a way to file for an extension.
The E-File Center lets you file your tax return electronically.