Quanso

Coming in at #1 is the eSmartTax Signature edition.  At around $150 it is pricier than most other tax preparation software.  Ease of use is very good, but 2nd best.  Where it really shines is when you complete your return, included is a review from your local Liberty Tax office.  If you are concerned about accuracy and filing a return correctly – the Signature edition is the best tax software in 2010.  Worth every penny.

At #2 is TurboTax.  Perhaps the most famous, it is a fantastic package designed for ease of use.  At around $40 it isn’t exactly cheap.  If you are looking for the fastest experience in preparation, TurboTax will work perfectly for you.  Keep in mind, you should always have your return reviewed by a tax professional – so the money you save by choose TurboTax over eSmartTax’s Signature edition will be spent at this point.  If you have a simple return and are confident it will not need a professional review – then you should choose this package.

At #3 is TaxAct.  Not as easy to use as TurboTax or eSmartTax, but at $15 it’s a bargain!  If you are fairly savvy with records and preparation, TaxAct will work perfectly.

H&R Block at Home did not make our list this year.  The tech support is simply unusable.  Nothing about the software itself stands out enough to justify the horrible experience you could face if you have any technical problems.

CompleteTax is a promising tax prep software package.  Where it fell short was in the final review process.  The options for double checking your return are simple too limited at this time.