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taxact.com
TaxAct
TaxAct offers tax preparation on the web, through downloadable programs and via a mobile app. Eligible taxpayers can file a federal Form 1040 free, while other plans start at $44.99. Its paid online lineup covers complex, investment and self-employed filings, and state submission is separately…
Visit taxact.com ↗ What it costs
- 7.6 No. 13on AI tax assistants
- Free plan · paid from $44.99price, as published
- Sep 28, 2026read on
What TaxAct costs
- Free Free Free federal filing for eligible standard returns; state additional.
- Deluxe $59.99 / once For more complex taxes, including childcare and property; state additional.
- Premier $99.99 / once For those who earned income from investment assets; state additional.
- Self-Employed $109.99 / once For business owners, freelancers, side hustlers, and gig workers; state additional.
- Basic Desktop $44.99 / month
- Deluxe Desktop $139.99 / month
- Premier Desktop $149.99 / month
- Self Employed Desktop $164.99 / month
- Deluxe Download $139.99 / once Includes 5 federal e-files and 1 state return.
- Premier Download $149.99 / once For investments, rental property, and foreign bank accounts; includes 1 state return.
Free federal filing applies only to eligible standard returns. Paid online plans begin at $59.99 one-time, while listed desktop and download products use separate monthly or one-time prices; state filing is additional on several plans.
As taxact.com publishes them, read Sep 28, 2026. Fees, tax and exchange rates can differ when you pay; check the provider's own page first.
Its statement
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Not stated
- Runs on
- iPhone Android Web
- Facts on record
- 28
Strengths and limits
Strengths
- Eligible standard Form 1040 returns can be filed federally at no charge
- Plans cover investment, rental, self-employed and business income
- Web, downloadable computer software and mobile access
- Live expert assistance and audit support are offered
- Import and deduction-calculation tools are available
Limits
- The Free Edition leaves out investment, rental, business and self-employed income
- Several plans charge extra for state filing
- Income and deductions determine free eligibility
- Desktop and download prices and filing limits differ
- Some state prices are not published here
What TaxAct does
TaxAct handles individual and business tax returns. Its lineup supports standard Form 1040 filings, investment and rental income, self-employment, and entities such as partnerships and corporations.
Tax data can be imported, deductions and credits calculated, and audit assistance accessed. TaxAct Professional targets CPAs, enrolled agents and tax preparers.
Fees and plans
The federal Free plan costs nothing for qualifying returns that use only IRS Form 1040 and have no attached forms or schedules. W-2, unemployment and retirement income are among the listed covered situations. State submission costs extra, and income and deductions determine eligibility; roughly 40% of users qualified on that basis.
For qualifying standard returns, online filing has a $0 starting price. The one-time prices are $59.99 for Deluxe, $99.99 for Premier and $109.99 for Self-Employed, with state filing added. Deluxe handles more complex taxes, Premier is for investment income, and Self-Employed targets business, freelance, side-hustle and gig income.
During the stated dates, a first consumer-prepared online 2025 federal and state return could be priced at a single $70. Other online products permit a free start and collect payment when filing; stopping before printing or e-filing costs nothing. If billing was completed but the return was not printed or e-filed, a refund request may be made within that purchase calendar year, subject to conditions.
Desktop and download offerings have their own prices. Basic Desktop is $44.99 monthly for five federal e-files, with state extra. Deluxe Desktop is $139.99 per month, Premier Desktop $149.99 and Self Employed Desktop $164.99; each comes with five federal e-files and one state return. Basic Download costs $44.99 once for five federal e-files, with state extra. Unlimited Access is a $45 one-time charge for credentialed tax-expert access. Deluxe Download costs $139.99 once for five federal e-files and one state return; Premier Download is $149.99 once for investments, rental property and foreign bank accounts, with one state return.
Where it runs
TaxAct supports web-based filing, downloadable computer software and a mobile application. Through the app, users can file on the go, photograph documents, view progress and get expert help.
The facts do not specify separate iPhone or Android availability.
Protection, as TaxAct publishes it
TaxAct says it protects data with advanced encryption, access controls and information-security policies. Its $100k Accuracy Guarantee covers qualifying software mistakes and certain associated costs and penalties.
Consumer 1040 products with Xpert Assist include unlimited live tax advice and assistance.
Strengths
TaxAct supports many return types, including investment, rental, self-employed and business filings. Eligible standard federal returns have a free path, while other online products allow payment at filing.
Import features, deduction and credit calculations, mobile document capture, audit support and live expert assistance provide help during preparation.
Catches to check
The free edition is restricted to certain taxpayers filing IRS Form 1040 without attached forms or schedules. It does not cover investment, rental, business or self-employed income and expenses.
State submission is an added charge on several plans, and the supplied prices do not give those amounts. Desktop products bill monthly, while download products charge once; confirm the selected product and its filing allowance.
Who may want another option
Taxpayers whose income or deductions do not meet Free Edition rules may need a paid tier.
Verdict
TaxAct suits people wanting web, desktop or mobile preparation, offering a free path for eligible Form 1040 returns and paid choices for more involved income. Its plans cover investments, rentals, self-employment and business entities, with optional expert help and published accuracy protection.
People expecting every return to qualify for free filing or wanting state prices before choosing may find it less suitable. The free edition omits several income types, and many listed prices exclude state fees.
Who it suits
Pick it if
- Eligible taxpayers with straightforward Form 1040 returns
- Filers needing investment, rental or self-employed support
- Users wanting web, desktop or mobile access
Skip it if
- Your return includes income excluded from the Free Edition
- You need state prices before choosing a plan
- You want a filing product outside TaxAct's listed platforms
Facts we read
- Accuracy guaranteeThe $100k Accuracy Guarantee covers qualifying software errors, including certain costs and penalties. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Audit supportYes · taxact.com, Sep 20, 2026
- Business tax coverageBusiness filing options apply to partnerships, C corporations, S corporations, sole proprietors, and tax-exempt organizations. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Company ownershipTaxAct, LLC is identified as a Taxwell company. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Data import toolsTaxAct provides tools to import tax data, calculate deductions and credits, and maximize refunds. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Expert assistanceXpert Assist provides unlimited live tax advice and assistance for consumer 1040 products. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- First return offerA first TaxAct consumer-prepared online 2025 federal and state return can cost one flat $70 under stated dates. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Founded1998 · taxact.com, Sep 23, 2026
- Free covered incomeFree filing covers W-2, unemployment, and retirement income, among other listed situations. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Free eligibility shareAbout 40% of users qualified for free filing based on income and deductions. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Free excluded incomeFree filing excludes investment income, rental property income, business income, and self-employed income and expenses. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Free filing limitsFree Edition is for IRS Form 1040 only without attached forms or schedules and only certain taxpayers qualify. · taxact.com, Sep 28, 2026
- Free planYes · taxact.com, Sep 20, 2026
- HeadquartersDallas, Texas, United States · taxact.com, Sep 23, 2026
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Questions
Can I file federal taxes free with TaxAct?
The Free Edition is no-cost when you meet its conditions. It accepts only IRS Form 1040 without attached forms or schedules, and income and deductions determine eligibility.
What income is covered by the free plan?
Examples covered include W-2, unemployment and retirement income. Investment, rental, business and self-employed income and expenses are not included in the free edition.
How much do TaxAct paid plans cost?
Online Deluxe costs $59.99 once, Premier $99.99 once and Self-Employed $109.99 once. State filing is additional.
Does TaxAct charge for state filing?
The Free, Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed online plans add a state-filing charge, and some desktop and download products do too. The supplied details do not state the amounts.
What help does TaxAct publish?
For consumer 1040 products, Xpert Assist offers unlimited live tax advice and assistance, and TaxAct lists audit support.
Is there a TaxAct accuracy guarantee?
TaxAct describes a $100k Accuracy Guarantee for qualifying software errors, including certain costs and penalties.
Is TaxAct yours?
Claim it for free to correct a fact, and see the places you can buy on The Finance Base.