What TaxAct is
TaxAct is tax software for customers who want to prepare an individual return themselves, add access to credentialed experts, or use a professional full-service workflow. Its online products cover basic through self-employed returns with a traditional form-driven interview.
The strongest fit is an experienced DIY filer who already understands the required forms. Federal pricing is competitive, while state returns need careful cost comparison.
Current product pricing
For 2025 individual returns filed in 2026, TaxAct currently lists Free at $0, Deluxe at $59.99, Premier at $99.99, and Self-Employed at $109.99 for federal filing. Each paid tier currently charges $64.99 per state return.
Free has narrow eligibility for a basic federal return. Deluxe supports common homeowner, dependent-care, education, and HSA situations. Premier adds investments, crypto, rental property, home sales, and FBAR. Self-Employed supports contractors, freelancers, rideshare workers, and sole proprietors.
One state turns Deluxe into $124.98, Premier into $164.98, and Self-Employed into $174.98 before optional help. Two paid states add $129.98. Promotions can change the immediate checkout but should not replace an all-in recurring comparison.
DIY workflow and imports
TaxAct uses a direct interview through personal data, income, adjustments, deductions, credits, payments, and states. Customers can begin without paying and then purchase the product required by the completed forms.
W-2 import, document capture, prior-year data, and mobile access can reduce entry. Reconcile employer and payer identifiers, withholding, state boxes, retirement codes, investment proceeds, basis, wash sales, and carryovers with the original records.
Read the full Form 1040 and schedules after TaxAct Alerts completes. Explain any material year-over-year movement in adjusted gross income, taxable income, credits, payments, and state allocation.
Xpert choices
Xpert Assist adds access to credentialed U.S.-based tax experts and a broad final review to eligible self-prepared returns. The current flow shows a $45 addition in eligible product combinations.
Unlimited contacts do not mean unlimited topics or capacity. TaxAct says hours and expert availability can be restricted, some subjects may not be covered, and the final review does not extend comprehensively to source documents. The customer remains the preparer.
Xpert Full Service is a different engagement in which a professional collects documents, prepares, and files. Current consumer pricing starts at $99 before state and form additions. Confirm all forms, states, amendments, and after-filing support in the personalized quote.
Guarantees
TaxAct publishes a $100,000 Accuracy Guarantee for qualifying self-prepared individual products. Its public summary says an eligible software error can lead to reimbursement of software fees, the tax difference determined by the authority, penalties, interest, and documented legal or audit costs up to the cap.
The Maximum Refund Guarantee generally refunds applicable federal and state software purchase prices when the same information in another online product produces a larger refund or smaller liability. Other fees are excluded, and the guarantee does not normally pay the full refund difference.
Both guarantees depend on complete user information, eligible products, evidence, and deadlines. Resolve warnings and preserve every source document, final return, acceptance, and notice.
Audit Defense and security
TaxAct currently sells Audit Defense for $54.99 through Protection Plus. It must be purchased before a notice and follows separate federal, state, year, and representation terms.
Use a unique account password, multifactor authentication, a secured email account, and an IRS Identity Protection PIN where appropriate. Upload documents only through the authenticated service and keep encrypted copies outside the account.
A practical cost-and-form routine
Start with a one-page inventory listing each document, the federal schedule it creates, and every resident or nonresident state. Map that list to Free, Deluxe, Premier, or Self-Employed before entering data, then price all states and expert services.
During preparation, reconcile each imported form against the original and mark corrected statements separately. Keep a question log for Xpert Assist with the exact facts, year, and jurisdiction. A broad final review does not replace checking the source documents yourself.
Before filing, compare Form 1040, schedules, and state allocations with the inventory. Confirm direct-deposit and payment instructions, resolve every alert, and download the return and acceptance. If a notice arrives, verify it with the authority before contacting TaxAct, Protection Plus, or an independent representative.
Where TaxAct appears on DollarScout
DollarScout's full review scores Price, Ease of Use, Accuracy Tools, Support, and Refund Guidance. Comparisons normalize the federal tier, every state, expert assistance, full service, and Audit Defense.
The 4.3/5 rating recognizes a capable workflow and unusually broad written Accuracy Guarantee. It does not predict Free eligibility, an expert's availability, an accepted return, or a guarantee decision.
Decision checklist
Before starting:
- List every federal and state form.
- Match the forms to a TaxAct tier.
- Multiply the current $64.99 state price.
- Decide whether you need DIY, Assist, or Full Service.
- Reconcile all imported documents.
- Resolve every TaxAct Alert and inspect the forms.
- Store the accepted return and evidence securely.
Editorial conclusion
TaxAct remains a credible middle choice: more conventional than a bare-bones free tool, generally less expensive at the federal level than premium software, and flexible enough to add advice or full preparation.
Its value cannot be judged from the federal line alone. Paid state charges are substantial, especially for movers, remote workers, landlords, and multi-state households. TaxAct works best when the filer knows the complete jurisdiction list before entering data.