TaxAct (Deluxe / Premier / Self-Employed) review 2027

What problem does TaxAct solve, and who is it for?

TaxAct is for small businesses filing entity returns, and its headline claim is accuracy: the $100,000 Accuracy Guarantee is the largest in this field. In our testing it matched the CPA on all three returns, so the maths held up on the cases we put through it. Xpert Assist is included with paid tiers, which means access to a tax professional is part of the price rather than a separate purchase, and business returns (1065, 1120-S) are available. The verdict is straightforward: it does the job, includes expert help and backs its numbers with the biggest guarantee here. The trade-off is that it costs almost as much as the big two and feels like it costs less.

How did TaxAct score across our five criteria?

Accuracy & guidance: 27 out of 30. This measures whether the software reached the CPA's refund on our three returns, and how well its questions caught deductions and credits. It matched the CPA on all three.

Price: 12 out of 25. This measures federal plus one state for each of the three returns, at the tier the return actually required, in the last week of March. This is where TaxAct gave up the most ground.

Ease of use: 15 out of 20. This measures time to complete each return, clarity of the interview, and upsell interruptions.

Support: 13 out of 15. This measures help content, live chat, access to a tax professional, and audit assistance. Xpert Assist included on paid tiers carried weight here.

Import & features: 8 out of 10. This measures W-2 and 1099 import, brokerage import, prior-year import from competitors, and refund options.

Where TaxAct stands out

The $100,000 Accuracy Guarantee is the largest in this comparison, and it is backed by a result rather than a promise: TaxAct matched the CPA on all three of our returns. Xpert Assist is included with paid tiers, so professional help is not an upsell on the paid plans. Business returns (1065, 1120-S) are available, which is what makes it a fit for small businesses filing entity returns.

What you get: tiers, imports, support and state pricing

• Free federal: simple returns
• Simple return (fed + state): 39.99 USD
• Freelancer return: 149.98 USD
• Investor return: 129.98 USD
• Schedule C: Self-Employed tier
• Tax pro access: Xpert Assist included on paid tiers
• Audit support: add-on
• Imports: W-2, prior year, some brokerages
• State returns: $39.99–$59.99 each

How TaxAct compares with the rivals we tested

FreeTaxUSA scored 8.6 at $14.99. It offers every federal form free, including Schedule C, with the state at $14.99, and it also matched the CPA on all three returns. Its tax pro access is Pro Support at $39.99, its imports cover a prior-year PDF from competitors but no brokerage import, and state returns are $14.99 each. On price, FreeTaxUSA is well ahead of TaxAct.

TurboTax scored 8.2 at $89. Its free federal covers simple returns only, a freelancer return is 193 USD, an investor return is 193 USD, Schedule C sits in the Premium tier, and state returns are $64 each. Its imports cover W-2 photo, 1,000+ brokerages, crypto and prior year. TurboTax is ahead on imports and interview quality; TaxAct is ahead on the accuracy guarantee.

H&R Block Online scored 8.1 at $55. Its free federal covers simple returns including student loan interest and unemployment, a freelancer return is 164 USD, an investor return is 134 USD, Schedule C sits in the Self-Employed tier, and state returns are $49 each. It offers Online Assist and in-office help. TaxAct is priced close to this without the offices.

Cash App Taxes scored 7.6 and is free, with federal and one state at no cost including Schedule C and stock sales, though it requires the Cash App, has no tax pro access, and does not support multi-state. IRS Direct File also scored 7.6 and is free, but it does not support Schedule C and handled our W-2 family and nothing else.

Where TaxAct falls short

It lost on value and polish. The free tier charges $39.99 for the state, so a simple return is not free once you file a state return. It sits at nearly H&R Block prices with less polish, and the interview is dated. Those three points are the reason it finished sixth of seven in this category.

What does TaxAct cost?

The price summary is $54.99. A simple return with federal and state is 39.99 USD, a freelancer return is 149.98 USD, and an investor return is 129.98 USD. State returns run $39.99–$59.99 each. Audit support is an add-on rather than part of the paid tiers.

Who should buy TaxAct?

Small businesses filing entity returns. If you need 1065 or 1120-S returns, want Xpert Assist included on a paid tier, and value the $100,000 Accuracy Guarantee, TaxAct is built for that job. If your priority is the lowest price for a personal return, the rivals above undercut it.