topic Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 22:05:06 GMT

C'mon Intuit. It's not that hard!

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

pk — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 22:45:18 GMT

@Anonymous , sorry to say that of all the tax software I have used both professional and individual / diy type, none have ever ( during the last 15 years ) published release notes. Or are you looking for user instructions ( some akin to a user manual )? If you can tell me what issues you are facing using this software for personal income tax return preparation, may be one of us can help. I agree however that during my professional days , i often wished I had more information on the software and not hunt around till I could figure how to achieve something. In that sense TurboTax with its interview mode is quite easy to use ( although even here there are areas takes a little figuring out ). So help me help you -- tell me what you are trying to achieve, please ..

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:07:36 GMT

Hi Champ,

I am referring to a summary of the changes to the software whenever a new version is released. What you described is not common. In the case of Turbo Tax, it would say something like 'the 1099B form was added'. Turbo Tax used to do have Release Notes and should go back to this practice.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Critter-3 — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:24:30 GMT

There is no 1099-B form in the program and the place where you enter that info is already in the interview so if you enter a stock sale and then go to the REVIEW tab it will tell you when that Sch D/form 8949 should be operational ... of course dates are always subject to change. Of course the form 1099-B will not be issued by your broker until sometime in February with corrected statements to follow in March.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:47:19 GMT

It was an example of what might be added with a new release. I am specifically talking about program updates with zero documentation to let us know what was updated

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:55:16 GMT

Here is a previous discussion for those of you that don't understand. There are plenty more of these posts.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/is-there-a-link-to-turbotax-2019-release-notes/00/958749/page/2

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 01:29:10 GMT

@pk Maybe this would help

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/where-can-i-see-the-detail-for-the-release-notes-of-turbo-tax-the-more-details-links-do-not-work-and/00/1287155

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous_ — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 01:41:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@pk Maybe this would help

Help with what? The only release notes you are going to get (purportedly, in the near future) are the ones that appear at the link below (which, basically, simply tell users that the program receives regular updates).

TurboTax 2020 release notes for Windows personal tax software (intuit.com)

If release notes are a deal-breaker, then you need to investigate DIY tax preparation programs offered by other software companies.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 01:50:58 GMT

@Anonymous_ Who said it was a deal breaker? Maybe you should familiarize yourself with why Release Notes are important. Intuit should 100% be utilizing these for TurboTax, Champ.

https://blog.testlodge.com/importance-of-writing-release-notes/

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous_ — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:08:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous_ Who said it was a deal breaker? Maybe you should familiarize yourself with why Release Notes are important. Intuit should 100% be utilizing these for TurboTax, Champ.

Would you kindly explain why? I understand that you believe release notes are important (as do I, in fact), but it is simply not going to happen with respect to TurboTax.

Further, I stated if the lack is a deal-breaker, then a user should investigate alternatives.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

GeorgeDenseff — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:17:08 GMT

If users demanded release notes, then TurboTax would work on providing them. I suspect it is just us old time former programmers who even know what the term means.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:31:57 GMT

@GeorgeDenseff They did provide them up until a couple years ago. The funny thing is that Quicken has gotten better at doing this since Intuit sold them. I really want to know what the changes are every time I get the Download Updates screen. Especially AFTER I've already filed my taxes. I shouldn't have to go into my tax return and look for things that may have changed (this does happen).

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous_ — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:49:16 GMT

Look closely at the screenshot below (read carefully). If you cannot determine why Intuit does not care about providing release notes to desktop users, I just do not have any idea how to further educate you.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:55:19 GMT

@Anonymous_ Are you saying Intuit doesn't care about their desktop customers because they only have 200 Million in revenues from those. That's an odd statement and you're not very helpful.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous_ — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 03:51:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous_ Are you saying Intuit doesn't care about their desktop customers because they only have 200 Million in revenues from those.

Yes, that is what I am trying to convey; they care about the online customers (and those who use services, like Live) infinitely more than desktop customers. Why not? Online represents a huge percentage of the revenue - it dwarfs that from the desktop products.

@Anonymous wrote:

That's an odd statement and you're not very helpful.

It is not an odd statement. Again, look at the numbers. Finally, there is absolutely nothing I can do to be helpful to you since you appear unwilling to accept the reality of the situation (which is that there will not be release notes for each update).

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:46:27 GMT

Their responses and attitude are appalling! Anyone with a fraction of a brain would be concerned about "changes"/corrections in the software both before AND after filing a return!!! Shameful, and worse - unprofessional, to have dead links to click on for answers that simply (and intentionally) aren't being provided. Would really appreciate feedback on the software you choose to trust in next year, because this ship seems to be unseaworthy.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

Anonymous_ — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 19:16:00 GMT

The DIY software programs are virtually all the same in the sense they each have advantages, drawbacks, and deficiencies.

If you know of another consumer-level, tax preparation program that provides any kind of a changelog, please post it here.

Re: Looks like another year without Release Notes

pk — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 19:38:38 GMT

More to the point , and despite "programmers' " preference for release notes , the efficacy of the such in preparation of a tax return is questionable especially since IRS has limited the access to the XML description of the variables /constants and the business rules (and the error codes) for such -- these used to be available earlier and was a great source of knowledge.