Even in those cases, though, using tax preparation software makes it easier to file your tax return and request direct deposit of your tax refund. TaxSlayer Premium stood out to our team because of its great customer service compared to its competitors. It provides multiple ways to contact customer support for tax filing assistance, including phone, chat, email and professional tax assistance. The IRS Free File program is a fast, safe and free way to do your federal tax return online. The IRS and industry-leading tax software companies deliver the program through the Free File Alliance.

Pros and cons of tax software

TaxSlayer’s rates are already lower than many competitors but its packages are priced based on your https://www.bookstime.com/articles/back-office-accounting tax situation and the level of support you want. If you’re a confident filer, you can save by skipping features like chat support. Kemberley Washington is a former staff writer at Forbes Advisor and provides consumer-friendly tax tips for individuals and businesses.

• Meanwhile, tax software at the top of the pile lets you do everything and anything related to tax affairs, but you’ll probably pay more.
• Consider using a tax liability calculator to figure out how much tax you may have to pay.
• Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming, do not have an income tax.
• Check out the features and capabilities of the software, and figure out which ones your situation calls for.
• TaxAct will still let you consult a tax expert and get maximum refunds.
• But people who itemize deductions or have income from the gig economy, a rental property, or a business they own don’t qualify.

Best Free Tax App

CoinTracker also has a coo cash flow lfee-tracking feature that lets you see the fees you’ve paid per transaction on every exchange—a game changer when it comes to reducing the taxes you owe. We love TaxAct for small businesses because it comes with a unique feature—its self-employed package lets S corporations file Form 1120-S completely online. You get to try all its features (except the tax reports) with the free plan. One way to ease this pain is getting the right crypto tax software—and we think Koinly fits the bill.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Rate Tax Software

If you find yourself with questions or issues and want to talk to a support agent, there’s a helpful list of FAQs available on the website, but it might be a challenge getting help via the chat feature. TaxSlayer’s interface allows you to skip around to various sections and keep track of your progress. You can also use the self-employed area to determine if you’ve forgotten to deduct any expenses and to help you find tax breaks specific to your industry.

• TaxAct has a user-friendly website in which you can quickly choose any of their tax filing options based on what you need.
• A W-2 is a tax form that shows your total paid wages, as well as federal, state or other income tax withholdings for the year, as reported by your employer.
• The most significant advantage is that filing fees start at $89 (plus additional costs for your state tax filing).
• Once your filing is complete, the program runs a final check and submits your return to the IRS and/or the state tax department.
• However, if you want to itemize your deductions or have other sources of income like self-employment or real estate income, then you may have to choose one of the paid tiers.

return `height: $heightpx`;

• TurboTax is one of the most well-known and widely used tax filing services.
• While both options have their advantages and disadvantages, it ultimately will depend on your level of tax knowledge and the complexity of your tax return.
• Plus, it’s much more budget-friendly compared to bigger companies like TurboTax, and there’s even a free tier (though you’ll need to pay to file your state taxes).
• When it comes to free tax filing options, all products are not created equal.
• Choose from a very basic free edition, a Deluxe edition or even the Premium option if you want all of the bells and whistles.
• Some software is meant to guide total beginners in personal finance through the process, whereas others are meant to be used only by professionals.

However, if you want extras such as having a tax professional review your return before you file, you’ll need to choose one of the others on our list. Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best tax software options for the 2024 tax season. You should also be able to arrange your tax refund through the software company and, in some cases, deduct the cost of their services for a fee. Simple, straightforward and free, Cash App Taxes is best for DIY filers who know what they’re doing. You can file state and federal returns for free with access to nearly every IRS form and schedule, although there’s no real professional support and multistate returns aren’t supported.

How can I pay taxes with a credit card?

Alongside the internet options, this is the other big bonus of using Jackson Hewitt Online because of the way that the service can be used in tandem with their physical branches across the US. Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, tax filing so you can be sure you’re buying the best. This tier is good for freelancers, contractors and small-business owners. For dependents and simple filers who need help with college expenses, unemployment or retirement income.