Quicken 2012 First Look Review

• Behind the Scenes
  Two enhancements that aren't really new tools in Quicken 2012 are expanded customer support and faster transaction downloads and portfolio updates. Customer support is available via chat and email all day, every day and phone support is available during normal business hours. Quicken Live Community is also available with active Q&A between Quicken users.
• Budgeting and Debt Management
  The most visible and obvious improvements in Quicken 2012 are the revamped budgeting tool and the debt reduction planning module. The budgeting tool adjusts spending targets with one click on an easy to read bar graph, and if you want to spend more time on detailed budgeting, you can do so with the advanced features. With the debt reduction tool, you can set up a plan in three steps and do graphical what if scenarios to see how different levels of spending and paying off debt affect interest and how soon you can become debt free. However, there have been many reports of problems with the new budget tool.
• Large Font for High Res
  High resolution displays are gorgeous, but tend to make text too small in past Quicken versions. Quicken 2012 has an optional large font feature that increases the font size and graphics on high-res screens.
• Easier Reminders and Equity Tracking
  Setting up income and bill reminders is easier. I tried it and the process was really fast, taking three mouse clicks to finish. The equity tracking tool uses bar graphs and numbers to show you how much equity you have in your home or other property.
• Investments
  Quicken 2012 Premier, Home & Business and Rental Property does away with requiring you to accept individual investment account transactions. Having the ability to automatically accept transactions saves time, especially for active investors. Automated portfolio updates finish faster as well.

Here's what you get in Quicken Starter Edition:

• The new budget tool with expense categories and budget goals.
• Graphical cash flow reporting that shows how much money is left over after monthly income and expenses.
• Accounts can be reconciled.
• Download account transactions.
• Upcoming bill alerts.
• Income tax data imports into TurboTax (CD or download, not TurboTax Online).
• The new debt reduction tools.
• Cash flow and other reports.

• Investment tracking.
• Financial planners.

Other features in Quicken 2012 Deluxe:

• Simple investment account support with investment performance dashboard.
• Planners for debt reduction, retirement and long term savings for college, a home or other large expenditure.
• Quicken Attachments for documenting important transactions or adding information to account statements.
• Export data from Microsoft Money 2007 and 2008 (Money Plus Sunset Deluxe unconfirmed).

• Investment returns analysis compared to market averages.
• Quotes continuously update.
• Investment-related tax deduction report with Schedule D reporting.
• Asset allocation reports.

• Separate income and expense categories for personal and business expenses, but these categories are maintained in one place.
• Expenses are automatically categorized as personal or business.
• Simplified profit and loss reports.
• Income tax support: flags tax deductible small business expenses and generates Schedule C reports.
• Create estimates and invoices, and does simple accounts receivables and payables.

Rental property features include: Get an up-to-minute snapshot of expenses by property.

• Track income and expenses by property and compare profit and loss across properties.
• Tax reporting for personal income, investment income and rental property expenses for tax purposes. Tax reports are appropriate for providing to an accountant, or export data directly to TurboTax tax software. Includes Schedule E reporting.
• The Rent Center stores tenant contact information such as lease terms, security deposits and overall payment history.