Comments on: ItsDeductible vs DeductionPro for Valuing Donations

By: Carlos Bendiks

Carlos Bendiks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:25:30 +0000

I agree with almost all the previous comments re: DeductionPro (DP). I used it for the years 2008 & 2009 when it was downloadable into my PC and it worked fine. With TaxCut 2010 it became a web-based product and it was a nightmare to use! I then reverted back to the 2009 version, entered all my data then printed it out and manually entered the required totals into the IRS schedules in TaxCut 2010. Thus one has a detailed record to back up one’s return.
I received the HR Block (TaxCut) 2011 in the mail. I tried to purchase it online but it was very confusing & not working properly, so I abandoned that effort. I went to OfficeMax & purchased the Deluxe version (advantage is that one gets a CD and it was sold at a discount!) since it showed the DP unavailable for the cheaper version, Basic, then I find out that it is available online for free! Misleading information on their cover box! However, this version is only on their web-site & I found it very clumsy to use (lost files, not very detailed, etc.).
I will use the DP 2009 version on my PC and identify the file XXXXX_2011, & print out the data.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:10:41 +0000

Deduction Pro used to be a PC based production free with the H&R Tax Software, now called, At Home.

As PC software, it provided some labor saving tools, inluding fair market value for clothing donations.

Starting 2011, the product was web based. Now it got clumsier to use: start the internet, locate the file, accept the file, etc. it took a minute or two just to get started. In August, when I was using the web based version, something crashed (IE8, Deduction Pro, not sure), my PC based Deduction Pro file was trashed. I had a backup, but it was a month old. It took me a hour to reconsruct the file.

In December 2011, the Deduction Pro web page was unavailable for 15 plus days while they got ready for the new version, so I could not put in deductions during that time period. When the new version was ready, I imported 2011 data. It TOTALLY screwed up my non cash donations: Much higher values were used. I called H&R Block about the problem – nothing happened. I manually fixed it, by reentering the information.

When I went to enter new cash donations, it got worse!!! First it didn’t bring up the current date, requiring you to go through the calender for each donation.

But the real big problem was it started to create duplicates of entries. Each new donation, and file doubled in size and donations.

Bottom line, if the PC version Deduction Pro saved me a couple of hours a year when preparing my tax return, I spent over 8 hours this year in fixing the web based version file.

I am not using this software again. I can create a simple spread sheet to record my deductions, and place those values into my tax return. If I need to look at the fair market value, I will just print off the values and put the sum in my spread sheet.

Shame on H&R Block for screwing up a good product. I still use the At Home for my personal and business tax returns.

By: Jozie

Jozie — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:29:48 +0000

Thank you Steve. I appreciate you taking the time to answer. Be well, Jozie

By: RAS

RAS — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 02:21:52 +0000

Deduction Pro is a HUGE waste of time. I spent hours putting in items, saving about every half hour. Even changed the file names every couple hours. Now everything is LOST, each file opens up empty.

Save yourself a lot of grief, use something else, or just a pad of paper or a spreadsheet.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:55:43 +0000

As a previous post stated, I too, cannot re-open deduction pro. Very frustrated!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:28:42 +0000

Jozie -

When you are given stuff you acquire the giver’s basis. In other words, they effectively transfer to you the “how much” and “when” of whatever they give you.

That said, the IRS knows people usually can’t dig up receipts. And they don’t require it. Obviously you had it to donate, and it cost more than thrift shop value to acquire new. Ballparks are allowed. If you take your thrift shop donation value total for each donation, triple it and round to the nearest ten or hundred for your basis, you’ll be fine (for example, $833 of thrift shop value becomes $2,400 of approximate purchase cost, $159 of thrift shop value becomes $480, or maybe $500). What you want to avoid is taking a number like $833 or $155 and translating it to $2.499 or $477, since exact amounts like that indicate “real” costs vs estimates. Real costs have to be exactly defended in the unlikely event of an audit, estimates obviously can’t be.

By: lois elam

lois elam — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 05:18:29 +0000

Deduction pro online is usless for 2011. Impossible to open after saving!

By: Gasport

Gasport — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:45:59 +0000

Deduction Pro does not have 2011 recording while its Deductible does…. Simple choice for this year.

By: jozie

jozie — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:26:26 +0000

can anyone answer this? in the process of going through my donations-which throughout the year were many, I decided to try to print. I used Its Deductible, to try to compare what I would end up with as a total, becuase I have already done a very detailed valuation from the Salvation Army’s own donation valuation guide on their website.
Anyhow, after setting up to print my donations in turbo tax’s its deductible, I previewed first. I noticed there were several sections, one of them stating, “where aquired”, “when aquired” and “allowable”. I was slightly disgusted and am now wondering if after painstakingly entering all of this stuff in, as not only did I have two kids these past 2 years, but now my spouse and I are moving, so lots of stuff donated, but I am wondering if the IRS is going to only allow donations that WE ourselves originally purchased. I have been given MANY MANY things from family and extended family and friends. I have not used much and kept everything in top quality shape. I documented each item and photographed for my own records in case of an audit, along with photocopying the salvation army or goodwill receits- but could my total value donations be rejected because I myself don’t have original purchase receits?? Please let me know I wont continue with the hassle even though this could have a huge benefit for my family since we are living on one-income. thanks!

By: richard haag

richard haag — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:31:07 +0000

I would like to copy deduction pro & its deductible if I could get to them. HELP is the proper words.