RedGear, which is owned by H&R Block, said it had decided to focus more strongly on consumer tax software for its retail and franchise business. That followed a season in which customers complained bitterly that the rewrite of the Kaysville, Utah-based TaxWorks operation had substantial problems.

TaxWorks was only one of a number of seemingly larger-than-usual problems with tax software. CCH Small Firms Services was also pummeled with complains about the quality of its rewritten ATX software. Those issues led to the resignation of the former president Jeff Gramlich. SFS has not issued any statements about its progress in solving problems since Gramlich left in early February when the unit said it was addressing the issues. Users are still complaining about the performance of the ATX system. However, the pattern has persisted that those with standalone computers are having fewer problems while networked users experienced severe issues.

TRX Software Development got a black eye when numbers complaints about its software led to the Better Business Bureau meeting with company management and lowering the company's rating to an "F". TRX officials have not been reachable for comment.

Intuit was embarrassed when in early March the Minnesota Department of Revenue warned state residents not to use any of Intuit's four tax products, TurboTax, ProSeries, Lacerte or Intuit Tax Online, to prepare or file returns electronically or via paper because of errors. After Intuit addressed those issues, Minnesota gave the software its blessing.