TaxAct Review: A Streamlined, No Frills Option

TaxAct is a pretty affordable option for most filers. All of its plans include free live help from tax professionals whenever you need it, plus an intuitive interface and a $100k Accuracy Guarantee. Read our full TaxAct review to learn more about what it has to offer and whether it's the right choice for you.

TaxAct is a good fit for: People who want a streamlined, no-frills interface that offers them the flexibility to file from anywhere and those who value the option to check in with a tax professional whenever they need to.

Alternatives to consider

• If you want one of the most robust tax prep providers: TurboTax
• If you want in-person support: H&R Block

Full TaxAct review

Top features

Check out some of the best TaxAct features in the TaxAct review below.

Free live advice from tax experts with every plan

New for the 2021 tax season, TaxAct now offers free tax advice from its team of certified public accountants (CPAs) and other tax experts on all its plans, including the free version. Live tax advice is becoming increasingly common among tax prep software, but it's usually something you have to pay extra for. TaxAct is one of the few companies that offers this service for free to all filers.

If you run into a question or problem when filing your taxes, you can click the Xpert Assist Icon shown on every TaxAct page. This will connect you with a TaxAct professional who can see your screen and answer your questions. They can also review your taxes once they're complete. 

Support hours vary depending on the time of year. Until Apr. 18, 2022, TaxAct filers can seek assistance from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Saturdays and Sundays.

Simple, streamlined interface

Getting started with TaxAct is pretty simple for those who know their way around a computer or a smartphone. Users can import prior-year tax returns from other tax software to save time. If they've filed with TaxAct in the past, the software should already have their return from the past tax year on file. You can also upload W-2s by taking a photo through TaxAct's app, so you don't have to manually enter all your tax data.

Once you've done all that, you can quickly navigate between the various sections of your tax return, jumping back and forth as needed. You can also take a break and return to your tax return later from any other internet-connected device. 

$100k Accuracy Guarantee

All of TaxAct's plans are backed by its $100k Accuracy Guarantee. In the event you receive a smaller tax refund or a larger tax bill with TaxAct than you receive using the same data with another tax preparation software, TaxAct will pay you the difference up to $100,000 and refund any fees you paid the company. 

In addition, TaxAct will reimburse you for any tax penalties or interest the IRS or your state tax authority charges due to an error with TaxAct's software. This means you won't be held responsible if your return contains errors through no fault of your own.

Many tax prep software offer similar guarantees but these usually only apply to taxes and penalties. TaxAct's guarantee stands out because it also promises to pay for any additional tax liability.

If you're a business owner: TaxAct Self-Employed review

TaxAct pricing

TaxAct's federal tax return pricing is cheaper than what many of its competitors charge, and there is a free option for filers with simple returns. However, its free filing option is more limited than some of its competitors. Homeowners, anyone who's made a health savings account (HSA) contribution, and those paying off student loans will all have to upgrade to a paid plan with TaxAct.

The software's state tax return pricing is actually a little above average, especially for the paid plans. This can make TaxAct a costly option for those who have to file tax returns in multiple states.

The Free plan is best if you have a simple tax return. If all you have is a W-2 or some retirement or unemployment income, this plan should get you by.

The Deluxe plan is TaxAct's most popular. It gives you the option to itemize deductions and claim deductions and credits for things like HSA contributions, adoption, student loan interest, mortgage interest, and more.

The Premier plan is best suited for investors who have capital gains or losses to report. It's also your best option if you sold a home or have earned money from a rental property.

TaxAct support

TaxAct offers phone support and free live assistance with a licensed tax expert seven days per week during tax season. There's also plenty of help articles on the website for DIY filers. For most people, this should be enough.

There's also Xpert Full Service for those who don't want to do their own taxes. This costs a little extra, but it takes the burden of filing taxes off your plate. All you have to do is hand over your paperwork and review everything at the end.

TaxAct is right for you if:

TaxAct could be the right tax filing software for you if:

• You value having free access to tax professionals.
• You only plan to file one state tax return.
• You want an intuitive tax filing interface you can access from any device.