If challenging your brain reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, doing your own taxes will help you stay sharp well into your 90s. Grumpy, but sharp.

Tax-preparation software makes the task easier. Most tax-preparation companies do an admirable job of making more than 60,000 pages of tax code understandable to the average person. Plus, stiff competition between the two giant players — Intuit's TurboTax and H&R Block's TaxCut has led to steady improvements for taxpayers over the years.

This year, for example, both have included programs in some desktop versions that will value items you donate to charity. And, in a refreshing move, TurboTax has eliminated rebates on its products, making prices less confusing.

But in this year's test drive, we also found some of the same irritants encountered in the past. Prices are still confusing. Consumers who don't scrutinize the fine print may spend more money than they planned. And a glitch in one of the programs cost us several hours we'll never get back. Here's what we found:

The desktop version of TurboTax Deluxe, the company's most popular product, costs $39.95 for a package that includes one federal tax return, a state tax return and ItsDeductible. But e-filing costs an additional $14.95 per return. So if you prepare your taxes and e-file your state and federal return, you'll be out $69.85.

The online version of TurboTax Deluxe, which doesn't include a state return, costs $19.95 and includes e-filing. An online state return costs $24.95 (and includes e-filing). That brings your total to $44.90.

H&R Block's TaxCut program wasn't as appealing as TurboTax's product. We had to click through lots of screens that didn't apply to us. Reviewing the work we'd already done was harder, too.

Still, TaxCut is a clean, uncomplicated program. If you don't understand something, an explanation — such as the difference between an adjustment and a deduction — is usually a click away. If you're still baffled, you can connect with an H&R Block tax professional, by phone or e-mail. Price is $19.95 per topic.

TaxCut's products are cheaper than TurboTax's, but its pricing system is complicated. TaxCut's Deluxe+State, for example, costs $29.99 and includes one federal and one state return. You'll also pay $15.95 to e-file each return. So if you prepare and e-file a federal and state return, you'll be out $61.89. Block does offer a rebate on the federal e-filing, lowering the cost to $45.90. So save those receipts.

As is the case with TurboTax, you can save money by using the online programs.

TaxCut Online Premium costs $19.95 for a federal return and $24.95 for a state return. In both cases, e-filing is included in the price.

While TurboTax and TaxCut dominate the tax-preparation business, there are also a number of smaller software providers: