Chris:
the Linux/FF problem with TurboTax Freedom online is not really a
browser issue. Lots of non-IE browsers are nominally supported,
including Firefox.
It a Linux issue.
TurboTax Freedom (only this TT product) seems to have a logic bug
affecting Linux (or any a non-Windows, non-Mac OS) users. The browser
in incidental. A Linux user falls into a rat hole on the TT Freedom
site when he clicks the "Start Now" button. But if he has already
started a Freedom return, things are okay. The "Sign-in" button on the
same page work fine for Linux.
With either "Start Now" or "Sign-in", a Linux user is taken to this
sys-check page:
*
http://turbotax.intuit.com/system_requirements_check.jsp?productid=4&customerSource=3468342228
Here he is warned that if he does not "upgrade" his system (away from
Linux) thenTurboTax cannot guarantee support. Be assured, however,
that, in my experience, TT Freedom works fine using Linux/FF. At
worst, you might need to print the PDF somewhat manually. No big deal.
Windows users do not get this warning and do not even see the sys-check
page.
(BTW, there are functional differences between Linux/FF and
Windows/FF. The most annoying one is that Linux/FF keeps the Flash
player widget at the top layer of the HTML rendering and this obscures
dynamic menus which drop selection items behind the player, thus
preventing any click on such items. However, TT Freedom does not use
Flash so this problem does not arise in this product. I see no
incompatibility with Linux/FF running TT Freedom, except for their
lamentable application logic.)
To allow Linux users to ignore the TT sys-check warning, there is a
"Continue" button on the page. "Continue" works fine under Linux if
you are returning to work on a return you have already started. You
get used to ignoring the warning and clicking the "Continue".
Problem is that TurboTax's application logic will NOT continue Freedom's
"Start Now" function (register a new account) for a (new) Linux user.
It bounces this user to the TT's $30 (state eFile) home page. There is
a "Start Now" button there too and that one _does work for Linux users_
(subject to the "upgrade" warning). The un-suspecting Linux user may
now plow ahead entering data but not realizing that the promised "free"
Vermont eFile is now going to cost $30.
Gotcha!
-- Dan
chris yarger wrote:
> thank you dan, do you know if this happens with any of the other
> common browsers such as opera and Konquerer, and also whether or not
> this happens in the windows version of firefox?
>
> warmest regards,
>
> Chris Yarger
>
>
>
> Founder
> Yarger Designs
>
> web: http://YargerDesigns.co.cc
> skype: cpyarger
> msn: [email protected]
> aim: patyarg
> yahoo: christoyarg
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 9:01 PM, Dan Connelly
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Dear Low Income 'nixing Vermonters:
>>
>> Since L+nix pays like a hobby, your lowly income may make you eligible for
>> free eFile with both the IRS and the VT Dept of Taxes when you use TurboTax
>> Freedom on-line. (Or you are eFiling for your grown kids, you have an
>> excuse for poverty.)
>>
>> Be warned, however, that starting a return from the TurboTax Freedom page
>> using Linux/FF leads you down a rat hole with a gotcha at the bottom..
>> Starting a Freedom return thus gets you bounced to the non-Freedom TurboTax
>> site. Here there is no problem starting a low-income return from Linux/FF,
>> except for a stupid warning that you can ignore. And, oh yes, there is
>> that gotcha that comes later.
>>
>> As before, you will be able to eFile with Uncle Sam from for free (as an
>> impoverished rat).
>>
>> However, your VT eFile (for which you want to use the Fed info you have just
>> entered for your IRS return) will now cost you close to $30 (which, on your
>> income, is painful).
>>
>> To avoid this outcome, you MUST start your return from MSWind or MacOSX on
>> the TurboTax Freedom page: http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/index.jsp
>>
>> Once started, immediately save the return. You can now continue this
>> return using your trusty Linux/FF with no problem.
>>
>> At present I am thinking that this weird behavior is a fluke and not an
>> intentional (and added) punishment for starving 'nixers. But, I could be
>> wrong.
>>
>> -- Dan
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
