TaxAct Review 2021
TaxAct's offerings are often less priced than TurboTax and H&R Block's comparable products. And cost is an essential consideration, particularly for those who want advanced automated tools, which might cost $100 or much more elsewhere when you consider the cost of preparing a state return.
What's included in TaxAct's free version
A web account of TaxAct enables anyone to submit a Structure 1040, but that wouldn't categorize or handle Appendices 1, 2, or 3, so it won't function if you want to deduct mortgage interest, mortgage interest, record company or self employed income, and report stock purchases or rental property income.
Something point to consider about prices: they vary frequently. We'll leave this review up to date, but you might also check the current valuation by going to TaxAct's website. TaxAct currently offers desktop software, which does not save your data on the cloud, but it was not included in our review.
The user-friendliness of TaxAct
What it appears to be
TaxAct has another appearance and feel to competitors' programs, and it walks you through an application process. You can skip about something more readily than most, or a billboard running down the middle keeps track of how far you've progressed, just like other software products.
Tips, explainers, and perhaps other resources are available through embedded links across the site, or the help center provides access to a comprehensive knowledge base.
A shopping-cart icon at the top of the page indicates the package you're purchasing, if you've picked add-ons, as well as how much you total software bill has been so far.
^a^Users could indeed switch carriers: TaxAct will import your past financial year's claim through TurboTax or H&R Block, even if it's a PDF, and you can also take just 1098 through (rather than all the supporting forms and schedules that probably go with it).^b^
Donation calculator: TaxAct's Donation Assistant is included in the Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed packages, and it's excellent to immediately determining that worth of donated clothes, home items, and other products.
Because the program works online, you can access it from different devices if you're researching on your return from time to time. A smartphone app is also available.
The advent of Xpert Help, which gives you unlimited display connection to a tax expert, is TaxAct's most remarkable assistance feature this year. You can ask for assistance immediately or schedule a call in some states. CPAs, enrolled agents, and perhaps other revenue specialists, according to TaxAct.
Although some customers may not want or demand the on-screen support that is becoming more popular in the tax software industry, others may find TaxAct's cheaper pricing level to be a nice way to try out the service.
