TaxAct

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Score9.1

Rank#2 of 123

From$44.99/mo

Free planYes

Runs onWeb

Summary

TaxAct is tax-preparation software with online filing, downloadable software, and a mobile app. It serves individual filers and businesses, with business options for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations, sole proprietors, and tax-exempt organizations. Tools include tax-data import, deduction and credit calculations, and refund calculations. Mobile features include filing on the go, photographing documents, viewing progress, and getting expert help. Free federal filing is available for eligible standard returns, but the Free Edition is limited to Form 1040 without attached forms or schedules, and eligibility depends on income and deductions. Its listed covered situations include W-2, unemployment, and retirement income; investment, rental-property, business, and self-employed income and expenses are excluded. Other online products let users start free and pay when filing. Online Deluxe costs 59.99 USD once, Premier costs 99.99 USD once, and Self-Employed costs 109.99 USD once; state filing is additional. TaxAct also offers professional software for tax preparers and Xpert Assist, which provides live tax advice and assistance for consumer 1040 products.

Who it is for

TaxAct suits individuals filing eligible standard returns as well as people with investment, rental, or self-employment income who need a different product. It also offers options for business filers and tax professionals.

What is good

Online, downloadable, and mobile options
Free federal filing for eligible standard returns
Mobile app supports document photos and progress viewing
Business filing options cover several entity types

What to know first

Free Edition is limited to Form 1040 without attached forms or schedules
Investment and rental income are excluded from free filing
State filing is additional for listed online paid plans

Verdict

TaxAct offers filing paths for individual and business returns, with mobile access and expert assistance options. Check Free Edition eligibility and state filing charges before choosing a plan.

TaxAct plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Federal return · Eligibility based on income and deductions taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026

Deluxe $59.99 once State additional taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026

Premier $99.99 once State additional taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026

Self-Employed $109.99 once State additional taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026

Basic Desktop $44.99/mo 5 federal e-files · State additional taxact.com · 20 Sept 2026

Deluxe Desktop $139.99/mo 5 federal e-files · 1 state return taxact.com · 20 Sept 2026

Compared on personal tax software

Free plan: Yestaxact.com
Paid from: 44.99 one-timetaxact.com

Facts

Self-employment support: Yestaxact.com · 20 Sept 2026
Investment income: Yestaxact.com · 20 Sept 2026
Rental income: Yestaxact.com · 20 Sept 2026
State filing: paid_add_ontaxact.com · 20 Sept 2026
Mobile access: web_and_mobiletaxact.com · 20 Sept 2026
Audit support: Yestaxact.com · 20 Sept 2026
Online starting price: Online filing starts at $0 for eligible standard returns.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
First return offer: A first TaxAct consumer-prepared online 2025 federal and state return can cost one flat $70 under stated dates.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Free filing limits: Free Edition is for IRS Form 1040 only without attached forms or schedules and only certain taxpayers qualify.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Free eligibility share: About 40% of users qualified for free filing based on income and deductions.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Free covered income: Free filing covers W-2, unemployment, and retirement income, among other listed situations.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Free excluded income: Free filing excludes investment income, rental property income, business income, and self-employed income and expenses.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Pay when filing: For other online products, users can start free and pay when they file; stopping before printing or e-filing incurs no charge.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Refund policy: A refund may be requested within the purchase calendar year if billing was completed but the return was not printed or e-filed, subject to conditions.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Supported platforms: TaxAct offers online filing and downloadable tax preparation software, plus a mobile app.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Mobile features: The service supports filing on the go, photographing documents, viewing progress, and getting expert help.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Security controls: TaxAct uses advanced encryption, access controls, and information security policies to protect data.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Accuracy guarantee: The $100k Accuracy Guarantee covers qualifying software errors, including certain costs and penalties.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Expert assistance: Xpert Assist provides unlimited live tax advice and assistance for consumer 1040 products.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Business tax coverage: Business filing options apply to partnerships, C corporations, S corporations, sole proprietors, and tax-exempt organizations.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Professional software: TaxAct Professional is designed for CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax preparers.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Data import tools: TaxAct provides tools to import tax data, calculate deductions and credits, and maximize refunds.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Company ownership: TaxAct, LLC is identified as a Taxwell company.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026
Returns filed: The site says more than 113 million federal returns have been filed through TaxAct software since 2000.taxact.com · 28 Sept 2026