TaxSlayer (Classic / Self-Employed) review 2027

What problem does TaxSlayer solve for freelancers and investors?

TaxSlayer's pitch is that it prices by support rather than by form. The $37.95 Classic tier includes Schedule C, D and E, so a freelancer or an investor does not get pushed into a pricier edition just because the return has a business schedule or a stock sale. That is the fair way to do it, and Classic is a good deal federally.

The catch is the state. At $44.95 each, the state fee pushes the total above FreeTaxUSA and Cash App. TaxSlayer is still the right pick for freelancers who want a step up from FreeTaxUSA's interface, and it matched the CPA on all three of our returns.

How did we score TaxSlayer?

We scored five criteria out of fixed maximums.

• Accuracy & guidance: 26/30. Whether the software reached the CPA's refund on our three returns, and how well its questions caught deductions and credits.
• Price: 17/25. Federal plus one state for each of the three returns, at the tier the return actually required, in the last week of March.
• Ease of use: 14/20. Time to complete each return, clarity of the interview, and upsell interruptions.
• Support: 10/15. Help content, live chat, access to a tax professional, audit assistance.
• Import & features: 7/10. W-2 and 1099 import, brokerage import, prior-year import from competitors, refund options.

That adds up to 7.4 overall, seventh of the seven products we tested.

Where does TaxSlayer stand out?

The strongest result is accuracy: TaxSlayer matched the CPA on all three returns. The Classic tier includes Schedule C, D and E for $37.95 federal, so the forms a freelancer or investor needs are not locked behind a higher edition. Military filers file free, and the interface is clean and quick.

Support is where the tiers separate. Tax pro access sits in the Premium and Self-Employed tiers, and audit support is a Premium feature. The Self-Employed tier adds guidance rather than forms, which is why we call it a support upgrade rather than a form upgrade.

What do you actually get: tiers, imports and state pricing?

Free federal covers simple returns. The simple return, freelancer return and investor return all come to 82.9 USD federal plus state at the tier the return required. Schedule C is in Classic, with the Self-Employed tier adding guidance. Tax pro access is in Premium and Self-Employed; audit support is in Premium. Imports cover W-2 and prior-year PDF, with limited brokerage import. State returns are $44.95 each.

How does TaxSlayer compare with the rivals we tested?

FreeTaxUSA scored 8.6 at $14.99 and matched the CPA on all three returns, with every federal form free including Schedule C, rentals and stock sales, and a $14.99 state. TaxSlayer's Classic federal price is higher, and its state is $44.95 against FreeTaxUSA's $14.99.

TurboTax scored 8.2 at $89, with the easiest interview and the best imports in the ranking, including W-2 photo, 1,000+ brokerages, crypto and prior year. Its freelancer and investor returns come to 193 USD, and its state is $64 each. TaxSlayer is cheaper on both counts, but its brokerage import is limited.

Cash App Taxes scored 7.6 and is free, including Schedule C and stock sales, with one free state. It requires the Cash App and does not support multi-state. TaxSlayer costs more but offers tax pro access and audit support that Cash App Taxes does not.

Feature comparison: free federal, Schedule C, imports, state returns and tax pro access

• Free federal: TaxSlayer covers simple returns; FreeTaxUSA covers all forms; TurboTax covers simple returns only; Cash App Taxes covers federal and one state.
• Schedule C: TaxSlayer includes it in Classic; FreeTaxUSA includes it free; TurboTax puts it in the Premium tier; Cash App Taxes includes it free.
• Imports: TaxSlayer has W-2 and prior-year PDF with limited brokerage; FreeTaxUSA has prior-year PDF from competitors and no brokerage import; TurboTax has W-2 photo, 1,000+ brokerages, crypto and prior year; Cash App Taxes has prior year from Cash App Taxes and W-2 photo.
• State returns: TaxSlayer $44.95 each; FreeTaxUSA $14.99 each; TurboTax $64 each; Cash App Taxes one free, multi-state not supported.
• Tax pro access: TaxSlayer in Premium and Self-Employed; FreeTaxUSA via Pro Support $39.99; TurboTax via Live Assisted and Full Service; Cash App Taxes none.

Where does TaxSlayer fall short?

The $44.95 state fee is the most expensive in this comparison, and it is the main reason the total lands above FreeTaxUSA and Cash App. Brokerage import is weak, which matters for investors with accounts at multiple firms. The Self-Employed tier adds little beyond support, so the upgrade buys help rather than capability.

Is TaxSlayer worth the price?

TaxSlayer's price summary is $37.95 for Classic federal. Our measured freelancer return and investor return each came to 82.9 USD with a state included, and state returns are $44.95 each. Free federal covers simple returns. The federal side is competitive; the state side is where the value narrows.

Who should buy TaxSlayer?

TaxSlayer is still right for freelancers who want a step up from FreeTaxUSA's interface. It also suits filers who want Schedule C, D and E on one mid-price tier and who value access to a tax professional at the Premium or Self-Employed level. Filers whose main cost is the state return, or who need strong brokerage import, should look at the alternatives above.