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Current Deals & Offers
$10 off all paid tiers with code SAVE2026
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Free federal filing for simple returns
Price-lock guarantee — your price won't increase
TaxAct Review 2026
Solid tax software at mid-range prices for experienced filers.
TaxAct Pricing
Free
$0
Basic federal filing for simple W-2 returns.
- W-2 income
- Standard deduction
- Child Tax Credit
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Free state filing included
Deluxe
$49.99
For homeowners, investors, and those with itemized deductions.
- Everything in Free
- Itemized deductions
- Mortgage interest
- Charitable donations
- Student loan interest
- State filing: $39.99/state
Premier
$79.99
For investors with stocks, bonds, and rental income.
- Everything in Deluxe
- Investment income (Schedule D)
- Rental income (Schedule E)
- Foreign income
- Cryptocurrency transactions
- State filing: $39.99/state
Self-Employed
$99.99
For freelancers and small business owners.
- Everything in Premier
- Self-employment income (Schedule C)
- Business asset depreciation
- Home office deduction
- Vehicle expenses
- State filing: $39.99/state
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lower prices than TurboTax and H&R Block across all tiers
- Solid core functionality that handles most tax situations
- Good for experienced filers who do not need extensive guidance
- TaxAct Xpert Assist provides CPA access at lower cost
- Audit defense add-on available
- Price Lock Guarantee prevents price hikes mid-session
Cons
- Less hand-holding guidance than TurboTax or H&R Block
- Interface design feels dated compared to competitors
- Customer support is more limited and slower
- Not ideal for first-time filers or complex situations
- State filing fee is higher than H&R Block's
- Import capabilities lag behind the leading products
Key Features
- W-2 and 1099 import
- Prior-year return import
- Schedule C for self-employment
- Schedule D for investment gains
- Schedule E for rental income
- Cryptocurrency support on Premier and above
- TaxAct Xpert Assist (CPA access add-on)
- Audit defense available
- Price Lock Guarantee
- IRS e-file
Our Verdict
TaxAct sits squarely in the middle of the tax software market — cheaper than TurboTax and H&R Block, more capable than free options, but less polished than either market leader. Experienced filers who know their way around a tax return and want to save $30–$50 compared to TurboTax will find TaxAct perfectly adequate. New filers or those with truly complex returns will likely find the less-guided experience frustrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TaxAct good for first-time filers?
TaxAct works for first-time filers with simple returns, but its guidance is less thorough than TurboTax or H&R Block. If you have a straightforward W-2 return, TaxAct's Free tier is perfectly usable. For more complex situations, beginners may find the experience frustrating without TurboTax's level of explanation.
What is TaxAct's Price Lock Guarantee?
TaxAct guarantees that the price you see when you start your return is the price you will pay when you file. Some competitors have been criticized for showing a low price early in the process and then raising it at checkout. TaxAct locks in your price upfront.
Does TaxAct support cryptocurrency taxes?
Yes, on the Premier and Self-Employed tiers. You can import transaction data from major exchanges or upload a CSV. TaxAct will calculate your capital gains and losses and include them on Schedule D.
Can TaxAct handle rental property income?
Yes. Rental property income is covered on the Premier ($79.99) and Self-Employed ($99.99) tiers via Schedule E. You can report income from multiple rental properties, deduct expenses, and calculate depreciation.
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