TurboTax 2013 Versions, Features and Prices
TurboTax personal tax software for 2013 tax returns offers online, Windows and Mac versions for the simplest to most complex income taxes. If you're undecided between the Mac/Windows or online software, read up on the differences between online and desktop tax software. TurboTax uses an interview that walks you through preparing your income taxes step by step to make preparing your return easier. The software includes additional resources, like links to IRS publications and additional discussion of tax topics.
TurboTax also has an iPad tax app (not listed below) for $29.99 and up. Price depends on the version used, and Deluxe, Premier and Home & Business federal versions are offered. Features in each is covered below.
Early Filing Allowed
You can use TurboTax to get started on your 2013 income tax return right now, but the IRS is not accepting e-File submissions until January 31, 2014. If you use TurboTax Online and complete your return before then, you can file it as early as January 2, 2014 and it will then be submitted automatically on January 31.
Price Increases
The prices quoted here may go up at any time, but will probably be steady until March 22, 2014, when the small print on the TurboTax website says that prices are expected to increase.
The free edition of TurboTax is only online tax software, there is no desktop install available. This version is meant for only simple returns, so it doesn't have the same full and detailed tax interview that other versions offer. If you start your return with TurboTax Federal Free Edition and decide you want the interview and more features, you can upgrade to TurboTax Basic Online for just under $20. If you used any TurboTax software last year, you will not be able to import your data into the Free Edition.
Top Features:
Supported Platforms: online only
Federal e-File included: yes
State Return: optional, $27.99
Prepare one tax return with TurboTax Online Basic, which includes the cost to file electronically. Prepare up to five tax returns with the desktop version and you don't pay extra to e-File, although you will pay more up front.
Top Features:
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: optional, Windows/Mac $39.99 per state, $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99, $19.99 state e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Basic for Windows/Mac $29.99 / TurboTax Online Basic $19.99
If you will itemize tax deductions on your return like mortgage interest, job related, loss from theft and others, you will need to use TurboTax Deluxe. This version includes everything in the Basic version, and it goes through all deductions so you can be sure to get any that apply to your return.
Top Features
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: One free with Windows/Mac $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99 includes e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Deluxe for Windows/Mac $59.99 / TurboTax Online Deluxe $29.99
TurboTax Premier includes the tax deduction features from TurboTax Deluxe with addition help for reporting investment and rental property income and taking related deductions.
Top Features
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: One free with Windows/Mac $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99 includes e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Premier for Windows/Mac $89.99 / TurboTax Online Premier $49.99
The Home & Business version of TurboTax includes everything in the Premier version, with additional tax help for small businesses. This version is perfect for anyone who takes the home office deduction.
Top Features
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: One free with Windows/Mac $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99 includes e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Home & Business for Windows/Mac $99.99 / TurboTax Online Home & Business $99.99
TurboTax Business has no personal tax interview and is specifically for multi-member LLC, partnership, S Corp or C Corp businesses.
Top Features
Supported Platforms: Windows only, no online version
Federal e-File included: yes, up to five returns
State Returns: $49.99
Retail Cost: TurboTax Business $149.9
TurboTax also has an iPad tax app (not listed below) for $29.99 and up. Price depends on the version used, and Deluxe, Premier and Home & Business federal versions are offered. Features in each is covered below.
Early Filing Allowed
You can use TurboTax to get started on your 2013 income tax return right now, but the IRS is not accepting e-File submissions until January 31, 2014. If you use TurboTax Online and complete your return before then, you can file it as early as January 2, 2014 and it will then be submitted automatically on January 31.
Price Increases
The prices quoted here may go up at any time, but will probably be steady until March 22, 2014, when the small print on the TurboTax website says that prices are expected to increase.
TurboTax 2013 Federal Free Edition
The free edition of TurboTax is only online tax software, there is no desktop install available. This version is meant for only simple returns, so it doesn't have the same full and detailed tax interview that other versions offer. If you start your return with TurboTax Federal Free Edition and decide you want the interview and more features, you can upgrade to TurboTax Basic Online for just under $20. If you used any TurboTax software last year, you will not be able to import your data into the Free Edition.
Top Features:
- Completes forms 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040, however, if you are itemizing deductions, you can't use the free version.
- Finds tax credits you're eligible for.
- If it turns out that your return is not supported, you'll be given options for upgrading to another TurboTax Online version.
- TurboTax Live Community provides online Tax Q&A.
- Answers to common tax questions.
- EasyGuide helps if you're not sure how to answer a question on your return.
- Tech support via chat only.
Supported Platforms: online only
Federal e-File included: yes
State Return: optional, $27.99
TurboTax 2013 Basic
Prepare one tax return with TurboTax Online Basic, which includes the cost to file electronically. Prepare up to five tax returns with the desktop version and you don't pay extra to e-File, although you will pay more up front.
Top Features:
- Transfer data from last year's tax return prepared with TurboTax.
- Tech support via phone or real time chat.
- More advanced interview and more help resources compared to Free Federal Edition.
- Imports data directly via the Internet for W-2 an d 1099 forms.
- Help for income from Social Security and Disability.
- Windows version imports tax data files from H&R Block At Home and TaxACT software. Windows and Mac versions import from a PDF of returns prepared with either of those tax software.
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: optional, Windows/Mac $39.99 per state, $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99, $19.99 state e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Basic for Windows/Mac $29.99 / TurboTax Online Basic $19.99
TurboTax 2013 Deluxe
If you will itemize tax deductions on your return like mortgage interest, job related, loss from theft and others, you will need to use TurboTax Deluxe. This version includes everything in the Basic version, and it goes through all deductions so you can be sure to get any that apply to your return.
Top Features
- Guides you through life events like marriage or a new job to find deductions.
- Includes ItsDeductible for valuing non-cash donations to charity (like clothes and household items) and tracking deductible mileage and cash donations.
- Support for medical expense deductions.
- Expert advice and recommendations offered help you get a bigger refund next year
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: One free with Windows/Mac $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99 includes e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Deluxe for Windows/Mac $59.99 / TurboTax Online Deluxe $29.99
TurboTax 2013 Premier
TurboTax Premier includes the tax deduction features from TurboTax Deluxe with addition help for reporting investment and rental property income and taking related deductions.
Top Features
- Imports investment information from a large number of financial institutions.
- If you refinanced in 2013, there's step by step help for taking related deductions.
- Walks you through entering stocks, bonds and mutual funds sold in 2013 and does the math to calculate capital gains and losses.
- Explains how to find the the cost basis for investments and employee stock plans, and calculates profit or loss.
- Determines the best method of rental depreciation for landlords.
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: One free with Windows/Mac $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99 includes e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Premier for Windows/Mac $89.99 / TurboTax Online Premier $49.99
TurboTax 2013 Home & Business
The Home & Business version of TurboTax includes everything in the Premier version, with additional tax help for small businesses. This version is perfect for anyone who takes the home office deduction.
Top Features
- Thorough Schedule C section.
- Supports small business deductions for vehicle and travel expenses, supplies, small business start up expenses, calculates home office expense and more.
- Splits vehicle mileage between personal and business use for correct reporting.
- Finds industry-specific deductions.
- Creates W-2 and 1099 forms.
Supported Platforms: online, Windows, Mac
Federal e-File included: yes (up to five returns for Windows and Mac, one return for online)
State Returns: One free with Windows/Mac $19.99 state e-File fee / online $36.99 includes e-File fee (print and mail for at no charge from either version)
Retail Cost: TurboTax Home & Business for Windows/Mac $99.99 / TurboTax Online Home & Business $99.99
TurboTax Business 2013
TurboTax Business has no personal tax interview and is specifically for multi-member LLC, partnership, S Corp or C Corp businesses.
Top Features
- Completes 1065, 1120S, and 1041 and includes federal e-File.
- Support for multiple businesses, with extra guidance for new businesses.
- Finds business tax write-offs.
- Creates K-1 Form as a PDF for electronic submission.
- Unlimited W-2 and 1099 INT, MISC and DIV forms.
Supported Platforms: Windows only, no online version
Federal e-File included: yes, up to five returns
State Returns: $49.99
Retail Cost: TurboTax Business $149.9
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