FreeTaxUSA vs TaxAct (2026)
FreeTaxUSA is cheaper in every case: $15.99 for federal plus one state on any supported return, against $54.99 to $174.98 at TaxAct (2025 returns). TaxAct offers more expert services and a $100,000 accuracy guarantee. Both are IRS Free File partners. For most filers FreeTaxUSA is the lower cost.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | FreeTaxUSA | TaxAct |
|---|---|---|
| Free federal | Federal $0 for all supported situations | Free $0 (Form 1040 only) |
| Free for whom | Everyone, no income limit; covers self-employment, investments, rentals and itemizing (not foreign earned income, nonresident returns or filers living abroad) | Form 1040 with no schedules: W-2, unemployment, retirement income, EITC, Child Tax Credit, students, student loan interest (no interest or dividends, itemizing, HSA or self-employment) |
| Paid federal | Federal $0; optional Deluxe $7.99, Pro Support $64.99, Audit Defense $19.99 | Deluxe $59.99; Premier $99.99; Self-Employed $109.99 |
| Per state | $15.99 per state | $54.99 on Free; $64.99 per state on paid tiers |
| Expert help | Pro Support $64.99 (tax pro by phone, final review); Deluxe $7.99 is live chat with support staff | Xpert Assist add-on (TaxAct lists $45, $54 and $60 on different pages); Xpert Full Service $99 to $219 + $69 state |
| Simple W-2 return + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $54.99 (Free) |
| Stock sales + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $164.98 (Premier) |
| Self-employed + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $174.98 (Self-Employed) |
| IRS Free File | Yes: free federal and state with AGI of $51,000 or less ($89,000 for active-duty military) | Yes: age 20 to 60 or active-duty military, AGI under $89,000; free state only in 10 states ($39.99 elsewhere) |
| Best for | Cost-conscious filers with investments, rentals or self-employment income | Filers who want lower prices than TurboTax with optional expert help |
Prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season), read on each company's site on October 19, 2026; prices for 2026 returns had not been published yet. Totals are our arithmetic for federal plus one state on the cheapest tier that handles each case, before add-ons.
Key differences
TaxAct prices by tier: Free ($0 federal, $54.99 state) covers a Form 1040 with no schedules, Deluxe $59.99, Premier $99.99 for stock sales and rentals, Self-Employed $109.99, with $64.99 per state on paid tiers. FreeTaxUSA charges $0 federal for every supported situation and $15.99 per state.
Help costs extra on both. FreeTaxUSA sells Deluxe support ($7.99) and Pro Support with a tax pro ($64.99). TaxAct sells Xpert Assist (listed at $45 on its pricing cards and $54 or $60 on other TaxAct pages) and Xpert Full Service ($99 to $219 plus $69 for state).
In IRS Free File for 2025 returns, FreeTaxUSA covers AGI of $51,000 or less (federal and state free), and TaxAct covers ages 20 to 60 with AGI under $89,000 (state free only in 10 states). FreeTaxUSA does not handle foreign earned income or nonresident returns.
Where FreeTaxUSA wins
- Federal $0 with stock sales, rentals, a business and K-1s, with no income limit
- State returns at $15.99 each, far below the per-state fees on TurboTax or H&R Block paid tiers
- Phone access to a Tax Pro for a $64.99 add-on
- Prior-year federal returns for 2018 to 2024 also $0
Where TaxAct wins
- Federal prices below TurboTax and H&R Block on every paid tier
- The $100,000 accuracy guarantee covers the tax difference, penalties, interest and documented legal and audit costs
- A flat $64.99 state price across all paid tiers
- IRS Free File partner, with a free state return in 10 states
Which should you use?
Pick FreeTaxUSA if
- You have stock sales, rentals, a side business or itemized deductions and want to pay $0 for the federal return anyway.
- You are comfortable answering the interview yourself and want help only as an option.
- You need to file a past year from 2018 to 2024: the federal return is still $0.
Pick TaxAct if
- You need Deluxe-level forms (itemizing, HSA, interest and dividends) and want a lower federal price than TurboTax or H&R Block.
- You want a written accuracy guarantee with a stated limit ($100,000) that also covers documented audit and legal costs.
- You are 20 to 60 or in the military with AGI under $89,000 and live in one of the 10 states where TaxAct's Free File offer includes the state return.
FreeTaxUSA vs TaxAct: FAQ
Is FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct cheaper?
FreeTaxUSA: $15.99 for federal plus one state on any supported return. TaxAct ranges from $54.99 (Free tier, state only) to $174.98 (Self-Employed plus one state) for 2025 returns.
Which has the better accuracy guarantee?
TaxAct states a $100,000 accuracy guarantee covering software errors, with claim deadlines. See each review for the exact terms.
Compare these against every option in our tax software comparison.
We summarize each product's published pricing and features, not user reviews. Facts come from our full reviews of both products, each checked against the company's own pages on October 19, 2026 with every source listed. Tax-software prices change through the season. We do not earn commissions from these companies. Nothing here is tax advice.