Crank

If anyone is interested in purchasing a new system you can get a 5% discount with the code "SPRING0410" at www.cyberpowerpc.com I bought a system from them in 2008 and just got a new one today. I first read about them in MaximumPC magazine. I was very satisfied with the first purchase. They have a lot of options to customize the system to your liking and also have preconfigured systems for those who want it. Their prices are good as I priced a similar, but under equiped, system at Dell and it was 25% more. 3 year limited warranty. Build time is 5-10 days. I am not affiliated with them nor do I get any sort of kickback. Just wanted to pass along the info for those that are interested. BTW I also looked at visioncomputers that Jack posted about and they looked good too.

I noticed that the recommended processor is a 3.4Gz i5 as per the System requirements document on ATX's website. This differs from the OP's letter (this first post in this thread) that states it is an I7

8.1 is a free upgrade

Yeah I know Jack. I believe what they meant, intentionally or unintentionally when they spoke of demoing the 2013 improvements is to discuss how the 2012 issues have been/are being addressed in the 2013 version. Ill findout if they ever get it together and connect with me. Or they are stalling because the 2013 is just that bad. IMO Taxed - that may be a route to take if I regain any confidence in CCH.

I have purchased my last two systems from www.cyberpowerpc.com I like the site (advertises in MaximumPC magazine) as it allows you to customize most everything. The prices are decent. Three year warranty. No sales tax. Pretty good turn around time of about 7-9 days to custom build and receive your system.

Just wanted to look at it and see if its worth going back. Been looking at several vendors and want to make a decision by the end of the month.

Today I was scheduled for a demo of the ATX software and once again I had to call them and they still state that they need to get a release from TaxWise reseller MainStreetTaxSolutions.com before they can talk to me. This is the second week that I blocked time off of my schedule for this demo and the second time they used this excuse. Ive been trying to get a demo of ATX since about mid October. Im amazed at the incompetence and lack of professionalism

Jack do you care to explain. I know win 8 uses the "metro" desktop which is a tile interface similar to mobile phones but everything I have read (and the improvements with the recent 8.1 update) leads me to believe that a similar functionality is in place including a similar start button. I have no issues navigating the OS and know my way around an OS pretty well. To be honest if tax software would run on Linux that would be my first choice as I setuo all my systems to dual boot to Win or Linux. Is there a functioality issue wiht Win8?

I have no problem with the i7 as I was planning on getting one anyway however I was planning on making the move to windows 8.1 which was just released a few weeks ago. Do you know what the issue is with Win 8 or is it just your personal suggestion? Thanks

Im in the market for a new system and Im surprised that the recommended processor is an i7. That is a significant processor for tax software. Amazing

That's what I thought Jack. But the rep stated that they could demo the 2012 issues that have been corrected with the 2013 version. Maybe I missunderstood but I was quite specific about the 2013 version. Either the rep is poorly misinformed or they are relying on propagating misinformation to make sales. Either way I'm still quite wary of ATX

Just received this email from Tax Slayer Pro: For one week only, November 4th – 8th, make me an offer on TaxSlayer Pro tax software! If the offer is reasonable, I will accept it. I want to do whatever it takes to earn your business. If you decide the program is not a good fit, you will have until December 1st, 2013 to receive a full refund. This allows you to purchase the program at a substantial discount, and you will get to truly test the software. Please respond to this email with one of the following: 1. I’d like to make you an offer. (Put your offer in the email) 2. I’m interested in having a brief conversation with you to determine if I would like to make an offer. 3. I’m not interested in making an offer. Sincerely, Seth Babb (888)420-1040 ext: 247 www.taxslayerpro.com I wonder what a reasonable offer is considering the web price is listed at $1.095. Im guessing $299 might be a bit too low.

After using TaxWise for the 2012 filing season I am looking around for a new tax software for the upcoming 2013 tax season. I know ATX had issues in 2012 so I called them on 10/22 and scheduled a demo of the 2013 software for this past tuesday 10/29. About 30 minutes prior to the scheduled demo I received a call from the ATX rep who stated that before they could demo the software to me I would need to get a release from MainStreetTaxSolutions.com, the reseller I purchased my 2012 TaxWise software from. She then gave me the number of another rep to call to discuss the situation. I was a bit annoyed that they waited a week to recognize this issue and contacted me just before the scheduled time. Also, I was confused as to why I needed the release since I only purchased the one year from MainStreet and didnt sign a contract. The other rep stated that I didnt need the release since I only do about 100 returns and that he would clear it up and someone would be in contact with me in an hour or two. Well, its been two days so I called the original ATX rep back and she said she had no knowlege that it had been cleared and set up another demo for next tuesday 11/5. Anyone else run into this situation with ATX? Makes me wonder if they are this lackadaisical and uninformed when trying to sell their product how are they after the sale? I should note that I have used ATX for about 15 years prior. Sheesh

I used ATX/Sabre from about 1995-2009, TaxWorks for 2010 & 2011 (which I loved) and TaxWise for 2012. I really didnt care for TaxWise as it took significantly longer time to prepare returns than with previous software. So I am back to looking at ATX and a few others.

Thank you JRS.

Jack, I would like to see your report please. I was with ATX since the Sabre days and switched to others for the past three years. Im now considering returning to ATX and your report would help me in that decision. Thank you. [email protected]

Jack's report? Will that be posted in the main section (ATX forum) of this website?

Im still trying to decide on which taxp prep software to use for the 2013 filing season. Is anyone going back to ATX of the upcoming year? Im attending a webinar on it on Tuesday 10/29 @2pm EST to see if it has improved from last years issues.

Don, to me that's like wishing Bernie Madoff well. Dont forget they are scammers first and outright lied and stole money from a lot of people.

I only received one enmail from TRX back in May. They must have dropped me from their mailing list. I wonder why?

I never received this email and have dealth with Mr. Sneed at the TN BBB

I viewed the video which was uploaded about 6 weeks ago. They changed the main interface to look like windows 8 tiles, as you can see on the video linked above but that's about it. When you click on a tile it takes you to the exact same input screens as the disasterous 2012 TRX Tax Exact program. They claim to have added new features which were suggestions from this forum in early 2013. But they really dont go into any functionality and aviod discussing a lot of issues such as individual forms. I think Doug is attempting to make this a viable program but it doesnt appear to me that very much has been accomplished over the 2012 program. At this late date it doesnt appear that it will be functional in time for the 2013 filing season. But, it looks like they are putting in somewhat of an effort and I wouldnt be surprised to see a functional product a few years down the road. I also wouldnt be surprised to see them disappear completely as I assumed they would after the 2012 fiasco. Procced with EXTREME caution if you are considering using TRX for 2013 season. (Also I am one of the members that paid by credit card for the 2012 TRX TAx Exact program and never received a refund even with BBB an AG intervention.)

Well now that the 2012 filing season is behind us...mostly. It about time to turn our attention to relaiable software for the 2013 filing season. Id like to get a discussion going about what people are considering. For my practice I do about 100 1040's and 3-5 1120S returns. Ocassionally a 1041. Im also in one of the few states that has a local income tax filing requirement and Im aware that most wont require this so Ill leave it out of the discusion. So far I am considering: OLTPro - $599 MainStreet Tax Solutions - But @$700 is not worth the additional steps required to prepare a return vs. ATX and TaxWorks. It took me about 1/3 longer to prepare a return. Also, I wasnt comfortable with the shortcomings i.e. calculation errors and manual work arounds. Didnt seemlike a reliable product to me when I used it for the 2012 filing season even at the $300 price Tax Slayer Pro - Although the web site says starting at $1095. I believe others purchased it at about $700 in 2012 ATX? ProSeries - Too expensive I believe, Not considering: Drake (Seems like a great option but out of my price range) TRX - Haha did I even have to mention this one Idf like to keep the price at or below $700 but that appears to be unrealistic. However that may be possible if I can get the 1120S returns on a reasonable PPR basis, What is everyone here considering? Can we get a group price? John

Received 7/26/13 and filed on 7/28/13

When I got the email to renew I wrote back to Karen Bills and asked about my refund. She then offered me a complimentary copy of the 2013 version which I didnt accept. I also received the TN BBB email asking me to file with the TN AG on 7/26/13 which I did on 7/28/13 Terry, No I didnt get asked to beta test. Wow, Doug really likes you!