TaxAct Tax Software Review
ConsumersAdvocate.org
9 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
TaxAct was started in 1998 and is a tax preparation software available for download and online web-based format. It offers a simple to use, complete tax preparation software and provides a high degree of accuracy whilst promising a maximum refund guarantee. TaxAct comes in four major versions: Free, Plus, Freelancer, and Premium. Simple federal and state returns are free, while more complex federal returns start at $27. TaxAct also comes with alert systems to ensure error-free filling and maximize deductions.
Platforms
- Cloud-based
- Downloadable software
Online Versions
- Free
- Plus
- Freelancer
- Premium
Plans and Features
TaxAct® Free Edition
- Free to prepare, print, and e-file your federal & state returns.
- Supports 1040 EZ/A income tax returns.
- Takes you through your free return, step-by-step, asking you questions in plain English, and automatically completing the tax return forms for you.
- Reviews your answers for errors, omissions, and valuable tax-saving opportunities, before you file your return.
- A state return is included at no additional cost.
- Free unlimited support online, by phone, or by chat.
TaxAct® Plus - $27 (State Additional - $37)
- Prepare, print, and e-file your itemized federal returns.
- Includes expert tax help and advice to find IRS tax deductions and credits.
- Maximize your refund with access to more than 300 tax deductions and credits.
- Use Donation Assistant® to track charitable donations and get audit backed values for over 1,300 items.
- Free unlimited support online, by phone, or by chat.
TaxAct® Freelancer - $39 (State Additional - $37)
- Prepare, print, and e-file your itemized federal returns including Schedule C.
- Designed to give you the maximum tax benefit for business income, expenses, and depreciation.
- Deduction Maximizer helps freelancers and independent contractors take advantage of commonly claimed deduction within their profession.
- Includes expert tax help and advice to find IRS tax deductions and credits.
- Maximize your refund with access to more than 300 tax deductions and credits.
- Use Donation Assistant® to track charitable donations and get audit backed values for over 1,300 items.
- Free unlimited support online, by phone, or by chat.
TaxAct® Premium - $51 (State Additional - $37)
- Prepare, print, and e-file your itemized federal returns.
- Includes expert tax help and advice to find IRS tax deductions and credits.
- Maximize your refund with access to more than 300 tax deductions and credits; including business credits & deductions (Schedules C & F).
- Use Donation Assistant® to track charitable donations and get audit backed values for over 1,300 items.
- Easily import stock data or use Stock Assistant’s quick-entry tools to save time when recording capital gains.
- Free unlimited support online, by phone, or by chat.
- Includes Audit Protection for ultimate peace of mind.
Features
TaxAct services are fairly easy to use making it simple even for those without prior tax preparation experience. Users are presented with an interview type format letting them enter specific information through a step-by-step process. State specific tax information is available and support services are available for help during tax preparation process.
- Free Federal & State tax preparation for simple returns.
- Paid Federal & State options for more complex returns.
Data import
- Previous year’s tax returns ($15 additional with free plan)
- Company information
- W-2 and 1099
- Competitor PDF Import
- Stock Import
Accuracy
- 100% accuracy guarantee
- Life events (Instantly change your status, personal information)
- Tax review
- Optional Audit Protection (Additional fee)
Refunds
- Direct deposit to your bank account
- Check refund
- Use refund to pay for tax preparation services (Additional fee)
Support Services
- Expert support available via phone or chat
- Online FAQ and help topics
TaxAct Tax Preparation Software Summary
TaxAct is a good tax preparation service that offers solid functionality coupled with an easy to use interface. Another plus for TaxAct is its competitively priced products and its free Federal offer, which makes it a good choice for those on a budget. Those without prior tax preparation experience will be glad to know that the TaxAct offers excellent tax preparation resources such as videos and a knowledge base, to name a few. However, it could offer more in terms of discount assistance, and it’s better suited for users with simple to medium tax preparation needs.
Our Comments Policy | How to Write an Effective Comment
Leave a comment for TaxAct Tax Software
9 Customer Comments & Reviews
Loading Reviews ...
Watch their bait and switch tactics with the "free" program. You get all the way through THEN they slap you with charges. Mine was $54.00.
I've been trying to get TaxAct to work for a week. It just keeps saying, TaxAct online is Temporarily offline.
I just got off of a long phone conversation with Terry, a taxact customer service rep.
He and I had to dig deep into my state return to find the reason it was rejected by Colorado.
He found the error and showed me how to enter the correct data.
I needed to correct it because Colorado owed me a refund.
Thanks Terry!
Don't get into this TaxAct Software trap. They may and most likely will cost you a furniture, not only because of an outrageous fee for a really poor service, but because they will do a real damage, such as forgetting to transmit your return to the IRS. It doesn't matter that you have a confirmation that all is good and 'you completed your return', finished, thank you for using us... and so on. Then, in a couple of months, you'll get a letter from the IRS informing you about the penalties and interest due to non-filing?! That's exactly what happened to me, so, do yourself a big favor don't use this TaxAct trap because they will not take any responsibility and deny any wrongdoing... but... Read More
I have used TaxAct from its early beginnings. It has deteriorated from the best to probably the worst Tax "service" software available today. “Tax assistance” is virtually inaccessible; "We are unable to take your call at this time, call back later!" Frustrating, even infuriating, especially when, as in my case one finds an apparently illegal "Business Deduction," (despite the fact that I have never even owned a business!). Regardless, I am not permitted to see the source of the entry! This latest 2018 tax year version, will only permit the "Revue," the outcome of one's various entries. in prior years one had direct access to each of the individual tax forms to see the line-by-line... Read More
Price too high. Always changing. It could not actually calculate my NY state tax. Said I owed even though I paid over $4900 in state and city taxes already. Had to use another to file. Tried two different software that accurately said I was to receive a $1500 refund
I am disputing the $84.00 Deluxe TaxAct software charge. I went through the motions and when I got to the state, it requested another $39.95! Are you kidding me? I also got "Can not take your call at this time, call back later!" That is ridiculous! So I am disputing the charge on my credit card.
I will use Turbo Tax or something else!
Poor service, no phone help (called 5 times "we can not take your call at this time") and it took 10 days to respond to my email. Prices contiue to go up every year. I have used TaxAct for 15 years but will try someone else next year.
Poor service, poor access, no telephone help on logging on when calling their suggested "customer service" call back later is not a customer service.
Our Partner
Get 20% off your federal filing with TaxAct!
- Maximize deductions for donations
- Free tax help and audit support
- $100,000 accuracy guarantee
- Uses Secure Sockets Layer protocol and is Payment Card Industry-compliant, keeping your data secure
