While preparing my taxes — on April 13th on the dot, like every year! — I came across a screen that reminded me of a post I’d written about lifecourse assumptions. The post featured a slideshow with birth control advice with very rigid age-based expectations. Turns out, Turbo Tax has some similar ideas. As I finished up my returns, it announced that it was ready for what would come next in my life. It knows I’m single, rent, and have no dependents so… married, house, and kid (obvi!).
Comments 35
Julia P. — April 14, 2011
I'm not sure whether this changes anything, but it wasn't a targeted ad. I'm married with kids, and I saw the same ad. So, it's less "if you're single, this must be what's coming up for you" and more "these are life changes people might be having"
Jadehawk — April 14, 2011
I'm now mildly tempted to make one like that with a divorce, a foreclosure, and a furneral
JGH2 — April 14, 2011
Countdown to the comment arguing that you are attacking marriage and family life by posting about how it's assumed to be a normative behavior in our society. Also, "Don't take it so seriously" and "Lighten up"
Jon — April 14, 2011
I saw this ad as well when I filed my taxes, and I’m not sure if it is targeted. Though I’m partnered with no plans for marriage or children, I am single for tax purposes. So maybe I saw it due to my single status as well?
When I saw this image, though, I didn’t necessarily think it was an attempt to map out a future. I just viewed this as an attempt by TurboTax to highlight major life events (marriage, home ownership, and having children) that all carry very significant tax implications (some of which I think are somewhat unfair). The text below the image even emphasizes that point. And if anything, it is also a sales pitch and reminder to continue using their service (“when you come back to TurboTax next year, we’ll ask you what’s changed and make sure you get every deduction and credit you deserve”).
On another note, I would say kudos for them for at least featuring neutral portrayals of people in the image itself.
Casey — April 14, 2011
Aren't these all significant tax-related events? And not some voodoo prediction of your life to come? Sheesh.
ÎÏ≈Ω9-=P[] — April 14, 2011
`1
Sarah — April 15, 2011
I wonder what it would show if you owned your house outright, lived off of social security, claimed tons of medical expenses, and had no dependents. A weeble in a hospital bed with an IV, and further down the path, a headstone with mourning, smaller weebles surrounding it?
Or perhaps they take a different marketing tack altogether with the older market. Would be interesting to find out nevertheless!