Tax Book vs Quickfinder books

[JenMO]

I've have always ordered the Quickfinder books and usually have been pretty satisfied with the info and accessibility of the book. But I'm always ready for something better. Is there anyone who has used both books, and do you have a preference? I haven't ordered yet, but need to get going. I think price is close to the same.

[thomtax]

I have used both - started with TTB two years ago. I don't remember all the reasons why, but I remember liking TTB much better. Also, I read the Quikfinder forum and have seen the complaints about not being able to get service, long holds on the phone line and general frustration from more and more of their customers since becoming a part of a big company.

LT

[KBTS]

My Opinion

Since you are posting at TheTax Book website, you will probably find quite a few of the posters here prefer TTB. You might try searching the discussion board as I think this question has been raised in the past.

I have used both and I prefer The Tax Book. The main reasons for this are that the authors/editors of TTB are tax professionals and have experience in the "real world." Also, they participate on the discussion board quite frequently - which I think speaks to their commitment to have the best product out there. One last thing is great customer service - I responded to a post about the 2007 edition and just mentioned a chapter out of order. Someone suggested I call customer service about this and I had a replacement book on the way the same day.

[JohnH]

The Tax Book - No Question

I used QuickFinder for many years and thought I'd never switch. After hearing about The Tax Book on another forum last year and evaluating it, I immediately switched and plan to keep using it as long as the current management is in place. Plus, this forum is outstanding.

If you switch to The Tax Book, you won't regret it.

[Nashville]

History

JenMo, I don't know how much you know about these two publications. Many of us on this board have been around long enough to remember. I'll give you a brief glimpse, but this will be old news to others.

Until 2003-4, the QuickFinder was privately owned, and the writing/development was headed by a team of writers led by Brad Imsdahl and Paul Roberts. The QuickFinder was sold to Thomson/PPC conglomerate. The entire operation was to eventually gravitate from Minnesota to Texas, in effect uprooting the organization from its successful roots. Additionally, a requirement was placed on the writers that prohibited them from conducting their own personal tax practice.

This last requirement was a dagger through the heart of what made QuickFinder great. No one can write for tax professionals except a tax professional himself. [herself] The entire staff left the QuickFinder in hopes of revving up a successful book in Minnesota without the writers having to move or give up their tax practice.

The result is TTB. The writers are intact, the people are great, and you have a fast-response, knowledgeable team there that can serve your needs. I believe the writers to be more relevant, due to reasons discussed above. And their track record of success was already proven by the former success of the QuickFinder.

This isn't about me, but when I found out what was going on, I immediately aligned myself with the new TTB and never looked back. I responded by sending a check when I received my very first order form in the mail - I was excited about the Deluxe version, and ordered a state book as well. The QuickFinder never offerred the equivalent of a "Deluxe" version, and even though TTB now has expanded coverage in their SB version, the deluxe version remains the most viable product for the money to be found on this market.

Order TTB - it's not too late, and you will see the difference.

[taxxcpa]

Same here

When I heard that QF had sold out and the former writers for QF had started their own company, I instinctively suspected that it would be best to switch to the TTB rather than take a chance on the new QF team.

I noticed that a lot of the people who used to post messages on the QF board had migrated to this message board, which further convinced me.

As far as I know, QF still puts out a good book, but I don't trust any company that is taken over by a bigger company to retain the same quality. The same thing happened to ATX which used to be the best value available in tax software. I'm using Drake this year.

[joanmcq]

I'm still getting used to TTB; I currently have QF at work, and TTB at home, and therefore look at the QF more often, and can find stuff quicker. However, I find myself looking more and more at my coworkers that have kept their TTBs here because the explainations seem to be clearer. I also like having both business and 1040 in the same book, because so often areas overlap.

[Kram BergGold]

It depends

I purchase both books. Some things I find more easily in one, and some more easily in the other. Some topics are treated better in one, and some the other.

[John of PA]

TTB is better

I find TTB better. One big time saver for me is the Table of Contents at the beginning of each chapter. TTB has a more detailed TTB, so I can find things quickly using the Tabs and Table of Contents; and not have to go to the index in the back. QF's table of contents at the beginning of each chapter looks like they just threw it together quickly for marketing purposes. It is not as throughow(sp) and detailed as TTB's.

[Mike Mac]

I use both

I used the QB for many years and continue to do so mainly because I know how to find things quickly due to habit. I also started ordering the CD version of TTB as well (at first mainly out of guilt because I read this Message Board daily). The do like the CD version and this year's promises to be even easier to use with the new changes to it. I may eventually just go to the CD version of TTB but it is nice to have a real book that you can curl up with in a soft sofa to read (gotta love the business to actually enjoy reading the tech manuals!!).

[oceanlovin'ea]

Count me in too

I too started using QF when I still worked for Block. I took my book to work and everyone wanted to use it. When I started my own business, I ordered my QF book.
Just like many others that have posted, I changed to TTB because I felt confidence in the writers of the book. QF was a great resource guide when they wrote it before. So why wouldn't their TTB have the same quality and expertise that the other book had.
I have never been disappointed in TTB. For a couple of years, I bought Lasser and something else. But now mostly just use TTB.
I have purchased the Depreciation Book from QF and a new one about Special Tax Situations. But I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.
I am happy with TTB.

Linda F

[S T]

depreciation

Linda,

When you have the opportunity can you post on your review of the Depreciation Book, (or private email me)there always seem to be so many questions about this subject , so I have considered purchasing it.

Other than the Depreciation, TTB is wonderful, I can find most all answers or at least obtain a starting point that will lead me to more research or posting on TB. The examples I have used so many times, and by working those examples, something finally makes sense.

I am anxiously awaiting the CD version, as I used that more in 2006 than I did the actual book reference.

Editors of Tax Book, thank you!

Sandy

[Bees Knees]

For obvious reasons, I am biased as to which book I prefer. I first started using QF for my tax practice in 1986. I switched to TTB in 2005.

I think this comparison chart
http://www.thetaxbook.com/quality.asp ,

these testimonials
http://www.thetaxbook.com/testimonial_all.asp ,

and this news article
http://www.thetaxbook.com/news_view.asp?ID=19 ,

tell it all.

[fliszt]

Depric book

Linda, I too would be interested in knowing about the depreciation and special tax situations book you ordered from Quickfinder.
Thanks
Larry

[Nashville]

Linda and Larry

For those buying the QF Depreciation book, I would like some feedback as well, but from this perspective:

How much of this Depreciation book is already covered in the Small Business section of the QuickFinder? How much of it cannot already be found in TTB? Are you getting real value from spending this extra money or is it simply a regurgitation of the same information in a different format?

And I would be interested in your assessment of its value. I am notoriously very biased for TTB, but I don't want you to be biased in your evaluation. If it is a good purchase, please tell us so.

The reason I'm a little leery is that the QF offerred a 3-book basic set for years: the 1040, the SB, and All-States. This to me appeared to be a balanced offering. Since the corporate takeover they are now offering many, many books, as you might expect from a company run by marketing strategy instead of one run by tax practitioners.

It's also only fair to note that TTB should be interested in sales and profits, too. They offer a mileage log, and a handy reference page, etc. and if they see a market for a related product, we should expect them to belly up to the table. However, I detect from TTB a real need to serve the market rather than simply carve the same pie a different way and charge you extra.

Again, I haven't bought any of these QF extra products, but am seeking an honest and unbiased assessment. Will appreciate you sharing these with us.