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I worked at TurboTax. They are really good at separating employees into two groups. Group 1, which is by far the largest group, really wants to make it easier

I worked at TurboTax. They are really good at separating employees into two groups. Group 1, which is by far the largest group, really wants to make it easier for people to get their taxes done. Group 2 makes sure that the govt doesn't make any progress on making it easier for people to do their taxes. Make taxes even more convoluted, so that you need TurboTax (not just personal but also their software for CPAs). Make sure there isn't any actually free way to easily do your taxes. Get laws passed making sure of it. Act like you have a free version but make it nearly impossible to use it without paying for other stuff. Intuit goes to great lengtsh to make sure that group 1 (which is most of the company), doesn't know about the existence of group 2. I only knew about group 2 because I knew of it before I worked for Intuit. A lot of people there were very surprised when I shared the truth with them about group 2. I didn't end up a fit for this garbage and quit after 6 months.

sys_64738 5y ago
Do you use TurboTax to file your taxes?
- pseudosavant 5y ago
  Unfortunately, yes... I've tried to move away, but found the other tools were lacking - at least with the level complexity of my taxes. I was *very* hopeful for Credit Karma's tax product as they generally make a very good product. That is why Intuit bought Credit Karma. They were forced to divest the tax part of CK. Which is of course what Intuit wanted - CK to not do taxes.
  - selfportrait 5y ago
    And now Credit Karma’s tax software is at the helm of Cash App/Square/Block, and I’m afraid that going anywhere besides TurboTax may make it a pain to retrieve my records (tax forms, namely). Just look at the complaints around Cash App Taxes to understand. Another example: my partner used software other than TurboTax and now their tax work from three years ago can’t be retrieved without paying an “archive fee”. And going through the IRS’ website is horrible to return a transcript. TurboTax offers the most consistent and reliable software, but they are scum. I wish it was easier to go elsewhere. Many people want to mindlessly submit their taxes and be able to retrieve them from one main hub at any time, and TurboTax is unsurprisingly the go-to.

sys_64738 5y ago

Do you use TurboTax to file your taxes?

pseudosavant 5y ago
Unfortunately, yes... I've tried to move away, but found the other tools were lacking - at least with the level complexity of my taxes. I was *very* hopeful for Credit Karma's tax product as they generally make a very good product. That is why Intuit bought Credit Karma. They were forced to divest the tax part of CK. Which is of course what Intuit wanted - CK to not do taxes.
- selfportrait 5y ago
  And now Credit Karma’s tax software is at the helm of Cash App/Square/Block, and I’m afraid that going anywhere besides TurboTax may make it a pain to retrieve my records (tax forms, namely). Just look at the complaints around Cash App Taxes to understand. Another example: my partner used software other than TurboTax and now their tax work from three years ago can’t be retrieved without paying an “archive fee”. And going through the IRS’ website is horrible to return a transcript. TurboTax offers the most consistent and reliable software, but they are scum. I wish it was easier to go elsewhere. Many people want to mindlessly submit their taxes and be able to retrieve them from one main hub at any time, and TurboTax is unsurprisingly the go-to.