I have been using the “1040 QuickerFinder Handbook” since at least the beginning of the 1990s. It has replaced the CCH Master Tax Guide as my main tax resource. For the past few years I have also ordered its clone “The Tax Book”, which in some cases I found to be superior to Quickfinder.
I first compared these two publications in last year around this time in my post “1040 Quickfinder Handbook Vs The Tax Book”.
In that post I noticed, in comparing the Schedule A coverage of each book, “while the same general information is covered in both books, each covers some topics in more detail – i.e. Quickfinder has more on the deduction for Personal Property Tax. However it appears that, on the whole, The Tax Book provides more detailed information on the various Schedule A topics.”
At the time I noted “From a first look it appears that The Tax Book is the ‘more better’ value, especially the Deluxe Edition with tabs on corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts, exempt organization, and related issues”. I promised to “through the end of the 2008 tax filing season use The Tax Book as my primary resource, with Quickfinder as the back-up, and let you know which product I prefer”.
As promised, this past tax filing season I did indeed attempt to use The Tax Book as my only “go to” book, with the Quickfinder Handbook set aside for use in “emergencies” only.
It turned out that I had to consult my Quickfinder book several times during the season when the information I sought was not easily “findable” in The Tax Book. Because of my constant use of Quickfinder over the years I knew exactly where to find what I was looking for. The information may or may not have been included in the Tax Book.
One example - the “Social Security Highlights” for the filing year and the current calendar year are not listed on the front cover of the Tax Book. They have always been on the front cover of the Quickfinder book.
So I could not go the entire tax season without having to turn to the 1040 Quickfinder Handbook. As there is really no need to buy both of them I will not order The Tax Book 2008 edition.
To the Tax Book’s credit I must note that I received email notices whenever there was an update or correction posted on the book’s website, with a direct link to the individual update.
I have noticed from the NATP resource catalog that there are other Quickfinder “clones” out there. Maybe I will try one of them for 2008 – and let you know what I think.
I welcome comments on your experiences with the Quickfinder Handbook and Tax Book products.
TAFN
I first compared these two publications in last year around this time in my post “1040 Quickfinder Handbook Vs The Tax Book”.
In that post I noticed, in comparing the Schedule A coverage of each book, “while the same general information is covered in both books, each covers some topics in more detail – i.e. Quickfinder has more on the deduction for Personal Property Tax. However it appears that, on the whole, The Tax Book provides more detailed information on the various Schedule A topics.”
At the time I noted “From a first look it appears that The Tax Book is the ‘more better’ value, especially the Deluxe Edition with tabs on corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts, exempt organization, and related issues”. I promised to “through the end of the 2008 tax filing season use The Tax Book as my primary resource, with Quickfinder as the back-up, and let you know which product I prefer”.
As promised, this past tax filing season I did indeed attempt to use The Tax Book as my only “go to” book, with the Quickfinder Handbook set aside for use in “emergencies” only.
It turned out that I had to consult my Quickfinder book several times during the season when the information I sought was not easily “findable” in The Tax Book. Because of my constant use of Quickfinder over the years I knew exactly where to find what I was looking for. The information may or may not have been included in the Tax Book.
One example - the “Social Security Highlights” for the filing year and the current calendar year are not listed on the front cover of the Tax Book. They have always been on the front cover of the Quickfinder book.
So I could not go the entire tax season without having to turn to the 1040 Quickfinder Handbook. As there is really no need to buy both of them I will not order The Tax Book 2008 edition.
To the Tax Book’s credit I must note that I received email notices whenever there was an update or correction posted on the book’s website, with a direct link to the individual update.
I have noticed from the NATP resource catalog that there are other Quickfinder “clones” out there. Maybe I will try one of them for 2008 – and let you know what I think.
I welcome comments on your experiences with the Quickfinder Handbook and Tax Book products.
TAFN
6 comments:
You said you had to consult your Quickfinder several times during the season for information that may or may not have been included in TheTaxBook. Then you gave the Social Security Highlights listed on the front cover of the Quickfinder as an example.
Is that a fair comparison, when you did not bother to look in TheTaxBook index to find your answer on page 1-5? Comparing a book you have been using for 15 years to a new book is hardly being objective if all you are going to do is judge the book by its cover.
I also wonder where you obtained other key tax information during the year, such as the 2008 standard mileage rates? They were not listed in the printed Quickfinder, nor are the updated rates from last summer posted anywhere on their website. Do you not have any business owners as clients who need to know at what rate they can reimburse themselves for business use of a vehicle?
You mentioned receiving updates through emails from TheTaxBook. What did Quickfinder do to keep your book updated? How can you be sure the information you relied upon in the Quickfinder last season was accurate? At the very least, you might want to consider keeping TheTaxBook update service so that you can keep your Quickfinder updated next tax season.
Anon-
I never said I was making a fair comparison. My post was merely to explain my tax season experience trying to rely only on The Tax Book.
There is nothing wrong with The Tax Book - it is just that I am familiar and comfortable with Quickfinder.
As for year-round updates, Quickfinder, or The Tax Book, is not my only source of tax information. I have many resources that I use during the year, including NATP and NSTP and various free online newsletters and sites.
I am a one-person office working out of my home. I see no need to buy two fairly identical products, each with pretty much the same information, when one would do the trick.
Thanks for your comments.
TWTP
I understand your point about using a product that is familiar to you. I refuse to change tax software because I have been using the same one since 1988. However, if I ever find my software not being updated for the latest tax law during tax season, I will switch. I would not consider having to rely on other sources of information to keep my software updated as being acceptable.
Anon-
Who is talking about software?
I do not use tax preparation software. I use my brain.
TWTP
Excuse me, but if you do use your brain, you would acknowledge the correlation between the need to keep tax software updated, and the need to keep tax reference materials updated. I would think not using software means you are even more reliant on accurate and up to date tax reference materials. There is no need to insult the intelligence of your readers who do choose to use tax preparation software.
Anon-
No insult intended. I have no problem with those who use tax software. It is a personal choice.
However, getting updated tax software that is compatible with a particular program is a different issue than keeping up-to-date via printed material.
Enough on this thread. Thanks for your comments - now it is time to move on.
TWTP
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