TaxAct Review (2026)
TaxAct suits filers who want lower federal prices than TurboTax or H&R Block and a written $100,000 accuracy guarantee. The one thing to know: the state return is never free on its regular tiers, even on the Free edition. For 2025 returns, Free is $0 federal + $54.99 per state, and Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed cost $59.99, $99.99 and $109.99 plus $64.99 per state.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
Facts checked October 19, 2026 against TaxAct's own pricing pages, guarantee terms, help center and privacy notice (18 sources, listed below). We re-check prices about once a month. We do not earn a commission from TaxAct.
TaxAct at a glance
| Free (2025 returns) | $0 federal + $54.99 per state; Form 1040 with no attached forms or schedules [2] |
|---|---|
| What Free covers | W-2, unemployment, retirement income, EITC, Child Tax Credit, dependents, students, student loan interest; no interest or dividends, itemizing, HSA, child care credit or self-employment [2] |
| Deluxe (2025 returns) | $59.99 federal + $64.99 per state; itemizing, HSA, child care, interest and dividends [3] |
| Premier (2025 returns) | $99.99 federal + $64.99 per state; stocks, crypto, home sale, rentals [4] |
| Self-Employed (2025 returns) | $109.99 federal + $64.99 per state; Schedule C and Schedule F [5] |
| Xpert Assist (2025 returns) | Add-on for unlimited expert help: $45 on TaxAct's pricing cards, but "starting at $54.00" and $60 on other TaxAct pages [6] |
| Xpert Full Service (2025 returns) | $99, $149, $179 or $219 by complexity, + $69 for all states; at full capacity with a waitlist on October 19, 2026 [8] |
| IRS Free File | Partner for 2025 returns: age 20 to 60 or active-duty military, AGI less than $89,000; free state in 10 states, $39.99 elsewhere [12] |
| Prior-year returns | 2024 returns online (prepare and print): Deluxe $54.99, Premier $94.99, Self-Employed $109.99, each + $64.99 per state [11] |
| Pay fees from your refund | Available through Republic Bank, which charges a separate fee shown at checkout; your refund must exceed the fees by at least $50 [14] |
| Accuracy guarantee | Up to $100,000 for software errors on self-prepared, e-filed returns; claim within 60 days of e-filing or 30 days of a penalty [9] |
| Maximum refund guarantee | Software price refunded if another online product gives a bigger refund with the same data [9] |
| Audit help | Audit Defense add-on from $54.99, provided by Tax Protection Plus, for three years after filing [10] |
| Support | Customer care by phone, email or chat (not tax advice) [1] |
What filing with TaxAct costs
| Do-it-yourself tier | Federal | One state | Handles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $54.99 | Form 1040 with no schedules |
| Deluxe | $59.99 | $64.99 | Itemizing, HSA, child care, interest and dividends |
| Premier | $99.99 | $64.99 | Stocks and crypto (Schedule D), home sale, rentals (Schedule E) |
| Self-Employed | $109.99 | $64.99 | Schedule C and Schedule F |
Three common returns, federal plus one state
| Your return | Tier you need | Federal | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple return: W-2 income, standard deduction | Free | $0 | $54.99 | $54.99 |
| You sold stocks or crypto (Schedule D) | Premier | $99.99 | $64.99 | $164.98 |
| Self-employed with business expenses (Schedule C) | Self-Employed | $109.99 | $64.99 | $174.98 |
Prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season), read on TaxAct's own site on October 19, 2026. Prices for 2026 returns had not been published yet. Totals are our arithmetic, before optional add-ons such as expert help, audit defense or paying with your refund.
How TaxAct works
TaxAct's Free edition takes only a Form 1040 with nothing attached: W-2 wages, unemployment, retirement income, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and student loan interest. Any interest or dividend income, itemizing (instead of the standard deduction), an HSA or the child and dependent care credit moves you to Deluxe. Selling stocks, crypto or a home and rental income need Premier, and Schedule C (freelance, gig or sole proprietor income) is only on Self-Employed. TaxAct says about 44% of TaxAct filers qualified for Free last year, and elsewhere about 40% of its users; both figures describe its own customers, not all filers.
The state return costs $54.99 on Free and $64.99 per state on every paid tier; the price does not rise between Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed. The Xpert Assist add-on gives unlimited help from CPAs, enrolled agents or tax attorneys, but TaxAct lists it at $45 on its pricing cards, at "starting at $54.00" in a comparison table and at $60 in an FAQ. Xpert Full Service, where an expert prepares and files the return, runs $99 to $219 plus $69 for all states. These are TaxAct's prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season); prices for 2026 returns had not been published as of October 19, 2026. The cost block on this page shows each tier and three worked cases, and the tax software comparison sets them against the other filers.
One worked case from the cost block: a W-2 earner who sold stock needs Premier, so the bill is $99.99 federal + $64.99 for one state = $164.98. A freelancer with business expenses needs Self-Employed: $109.99 + $64.99 = $174.98. Even the simplest return costs $0 + $54.99 = $54.99 once a state return is added, unless you qualify for TaxAct's IRS Free File offer.
Pros
- 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
Cons
- The state return costs $54.99 even on the Free edition
- Free excludes any interest or dividend income
- Xpert Assist is listed at three different prices on TaxAct's own site
- Schedule C is only on the top tier, Self-Employed
Who TaxAct fits, and who should skip it
A good fit 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.
Look elsewhere if
- You want a free state return on a simple return: TurboTax Free Edition and H&R Block Free Online include it at $0.
- You have stock sales or a business and want to pay less: FreeTaxUSA charges $0 federal for those forms.
- You want a tax pro to prepare your return in person: Xpert Full Service had a waitlist on October 19, 2026; H&R Block has offices.
Limitations to know
- TaxAct's Free FAQ: "Is state filing included in Free Federal? No, state returns require an additional fee." [2]
- Xpert Assist "does not include assistance or advice in responding to IRS notices and/or audits or providing representation before the IRS", and it is not refundable. [7]
- Xpert Full Service excludes municipal and local returns, foreign filings, prior-year returns and "certain complex tax situations". [8]
- The accuracy guarantee covers software errors only; it excludes user overrides and entry mistakes, and claims must be made within 60 days of e-filing or within 30 days of a penalty. [9]
- The maximum refund guarantee refunds only the software price, and you must notify TaxAct within 60 days of filing or by October 31 of that year, whichever is earlier. [9]
TaxAct compared with alternatives
| Product | Free tier | State | Stock sales + 1 state | Self-employed + 1 state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaxAct | Free $0 (Form 1040 only) | $54.99 on Free; $64.99 per state on paid tiers | $164.98 (Premier) | $174.98 (Self-Employed) |
| FreeTaxUSA | Federal $0 for all supported situations | $15.99 per state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) |
| TurboTax | Free Edition $0 (simple Form 1040 only) | $64 per state on Deluxe and Premium | $203 (Premium) | $203 (Premium) |
| H&R Block | Free Online $0 | $49 per state on paid tiers | $154 (Premium) | $179 (Self-Employed) |
| TaxSlayer | Simply Free $0 (state included) | State additional (price shown at checkout; $47.99 on archived Apr-Jul 2026 pages) | $44.99 + state (Classic) | $44.99 + state (Classic) |
- Pick FreeTaxUSA if you want $0 federal filing for every form and a cheaper state return.
- Pick TurboTax if you have a simple return and want the state return free too.
- Pick H&R Block if you want free state filing on a simple return or an office to visit.
- Pick TaxSlayer if you want stock sales and Schedule C at a lower federal price.
Security and privacy
- TaxAct's privacy notice says "The use and disclosure of Tax Return Information is governed by Section 7216 of the Internal Revenue Code", including use to market services connected with tax preparation, and other uses only with your express consent. [15]
- The same notice says identifiers, internet activity, commercial information and inferences may be "sold or shared" for targeted advertising, with an opt-out link. [15]
- Section 7216 rules require consent to use or share return information to be written, signed and dated, and say consent cannot be a condition of the service. [18]
- TaxAct says it offers multi-factor login (SMS or Google Authenticator), trusted-device checks and alerts if your Social Security number is used on another return. [16]
- Connecticut's Attorney General said TaxAct disclosed taxpayer data, such as rounded AGI, refund or tax owed and number of dependents, with Meta and Google through tracking tools from January 2018 to December 2022 (settled August 2026). [17]
Recent changes
| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2026 | Xpert Full Service showed "We're currently at full capacity" with a waitlist. [8] |
| Aug 19, 2026 | Connecticut Attorney General settlement: TaxAct pays $275,000 over taxpayer data shared with Meta and Google through tracking technology from 2018 to 2022, and must set up a review committee, written approval policies and tag monitoring. The release also notes a $14.5 million class action settlement in December 2024. [17] |
| Jan 9, 2026 | The IRS listed TaxAct among eight IRS Free File partners for 2025 returns, for taxpayers with an AGI of $89,000 or less. [13] |
TaxAct FAQ
Is TaxAct really free?
The federal return is $0 on the Free edition for 2025 returns, but only for a Form 1040 with no attached forms or schedules, and the state return costs $54.99. Any interest or dividend income, itemizing, an HSA or self-employment requires a paid tier. Through its IRS Free File offer, people who qualify file federal free, with a free state return in 10 states. Our <a href="/best-free-tax-software/">best free tax software</a> guide compares the free options.
How much does TaxAct cost for 2025 returns?
Free is $0 federal + $54.99 per state. Deluxe is $59.99, Premier $99.99 and Self-Employed $109.99 federal, each + $64.99 per state. Xpert Assist is listed at $45, $54 and $60 on different TaxAct pages, and Xpert Full Service runs $99 to $219 + $69 for all states. Prices for 2026 returns had not been published as of October 19, 2026.
Is TaxAct part of IRS Free File?
Yes, for 2025 returns. The IRS program covers AGI of $89,000 or less, and TaxAct's own offer is narrower: age 20 to 60 with AGI less than $89,000, or active-duty military with AGI less than $89,000. The state return is free in Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia, and $39.99 elsewhere. You must start at IRS.gov/freefile; Free File for 2025 returns closed on October 15, 2026.
Can TaxAct handle stock sales and self-employment?
Yes. Stock and crypto sales (Schedule D and Form 8949) need Premier, $99.99 for 2025 returns. Schedule C for freelance or sole proprietor income is only on Self-Employed, $109.99. Each adds $64.99 per state. Our <a href="/tools/capital-gains-tax-calculator/">capital gains tax calculator</a> and <a href="/tools/1099-tax-calculator/">1099 tax calculator</a> estimate the tax itself.
Does TaxAct charge for state returns?
Yes, on every regular tier: $54.99 on Free and $64.99 per state on Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed for 2025 returns. Xpert Full Service charges $69 for all states. The only free state option is TaxAct's IRS Free File offer, in 10 states.
How we researched this review
We did not get paid for this page. On October 19, 2026 we read TaxAct's own pricing pages, product comparison, guarantee terms, help center and privacy notice, quoted each fact and link every one below; regulator actions come from the regulator's own site. We did not file a return with it, and we do not score tax software. Prices are for 2025 returns; we re-check them when prices for 2026 returns come out and then monthly through April.
Sources
- TaxAct, Individual taxes (comparison, FAQ, support), checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Free federal tax filing, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Deluxe, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Premier, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Self-Employed, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Unlimited Xpert Assist, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Xpert Assist terms, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Xpert Full Service, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Guarantees, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Audit Defense, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, File 2024 taxes, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, IRS Free File offer, checked October 19, 2026.
- IRS, Use IRS Free File to conveniently file your return at no cost (IR-2026-05, January 9, 2026), checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct Support, Deduct your TaxAct fee from your federal or state refund, checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Privacy notice (last updated September 15, 2026), checked October 19, 2026.
- TaxAct, Security, checked October 19, 2026.
- Connecticut Attorney General, Attorney General Tong announces settlement with TaxAct (August 19, 2026), checked October 19, 2026.
- eCFR, 26 CFR 301.7216-3, Disclosure or use permitted only with the taxpayer's consent, checked October 19, 2026.
Head-to-head comparisons
This review is for general information, not tax advice. Prices change through the filing season; confirm the price on TaxAct's site before you file.