TaxAct
TaxAct: A broad US tax filing option with free entry, paid coverage, and expert help. Ranked #3 of 123 in Personal Tax Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for multi-device US filing with assistance.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMulti-device US filing with assistance
- Free planYes
- Paid from$44.99 one-time
- Self-employment supportYes
- Founded1998 · Dallas, Texas, United States
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports investment, crypto, rental, and self-employment returns
- Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Offers uploads, cross-device saving, expert help, and Audit Defense
Where it doesn't
- State filing is an additional charge
- Important return types require paid plans
- Live expert assistance is an add-on
Our verdict on TaxAct
TaxAct is US tax preparation software for individuals, self-employed filers, and small businesses. It provides guided federal and state return preparation through web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with support for standard returns, homeowners, investments, rental income, freelance work, and gig income. Tax document photo and file uploads, cross-device progress saving, refund and accuracy guarantees, optional live tax expert assistance, and an Audit Defense option give it a wide scope for filers whose needs extend beyond a basic return.
Pricing is divided between online and desktop plans. The Free plan covers eligible standard federal returns, W-2 and unemployment income, and student and child tax credits. Online Deluxe costs $59.99 one-time and adds home ownership, child and dependent care, and Health Savings Account support. Premier costs $99.99 for investment sales, crypto, sale of home, and rental income, while Self-Employed costs $109.99 for freelance, contract, rideshare, gig, and sole proprietor income. Desktop plans start at $44.99 for Basic Desktop and reach $164.99 for Self Employed Desktop; desktop tiers include five federal e-files. State filing is an additional charge.
TaxAct’s main strength is breadth across filing situations and devices rather than a narrow focus on simple returns. The tier structure lets standard filers start free, while paid plans cover investments, rental property, and self-employment. The trade-off is that meaningful coverage for several common tax situations requires upgrading, and live expert assistance costs extra. Choose TaxAct if you want multi-device access and support for varied US income types; consider another option if your priority is keeping every filing feature within a free plan.
Your product? Our editors can test TaxAct in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
TaxAct pricing
All 8 TaxAct plans and prices →
TaxAct fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $44.99 one-time |
| Self-employment support | Yes |
| Investment income | Yes |
| Rental income | Yes |
| State filing | Paid_add_on |
| Mobile access | Web_and_mobile |
| Audit support | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | 2FA |
| Support | Phone, Live chat, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | taxact.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to TaxAct
- TurboTaxA broad US tax filing suite with free simple returns and paid expert support.9.3
- H&R Block OnlineA flexible tax-filing service with free simple returns and guided expert help.9.0
- FreeTaxUSAA broad, low-cost option for complex federal returns, with state filing priced separately.8.7
TaxAct vs the competition
- TaxAct vs TurboTax
- TaxAct vs H&R Block Online
- TaxAct vs FreeTaxUSA
- TaxAct vs Keeper
- TaxAct vs CloudTax
- TaxAct vs ClearTax
Compare TaxAct with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
TaxAct is ranked in 7 of our directories.
Used TaxAct? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used TaxAct for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
TaxAct is listed in our Personal Tax Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/taxact/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/taxact.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update