Tax Software Review

TaxAct Review (2026)

TaxAct sits in the middle: cheaper than the big two, with optional expert help and a distinctive accuracy guarantee. Its weak spot is state pricing, which costs extra on every tier, including Free, so factor that into the all-in cost.

By Wealthy Pot · Last updated September 2026

Free federalFree $0 (simple returns)
Free state?$54.99 per state (not free)
Paid federalDeluxe $59.99; Premier $99.99; Self-Employed $109.99
Per state$64.99 per state (paid tiers)
Expert helpXpert Assist from $45; Full Service from $99
Visit TaxAct ↗

Pros

  • Mid-tier pricing below TurboTax and H&R Block
  • Xpert Assist for live help
  • A $100,000 Accuracy Guarantee
  • Deduction Maximizer tools

Cons

  • State costs extra even on the Free tier
  • Per-state fee is high and jumps by tier
  • "Starting at" pricing that can rise

Who TaxAct is for

Best for budget-minded filers who want a simpler, cheaper alternative to TurboTax with optional expert help, and who account for the per-state fee.

Free tier, pricing & who qualifies

TaxAct offers: free $0 (simple returns) ($54.99 per state (not free) for state). Free qualifies: ~40% of filers: w-2, unemployment, students, ctc/eic; excludes itemizing, investments, self-employment. Paid federal: Deluxe $59.99; Premier $99.99; Self-Employed $109.99. Per state: $64.99 per state (paid tiers). Expert help: Xpert Assist from $45; Full Service from $99. Prices are promotional and change through the season — confirm the current total on the official site before filing.

The bottom line

TaxAct sits in the middle: cheaper than the big two, with optional expert help and a distinctive accuracy guarantee. Its weak spot is state pricing, which costs extra on every tier, including Free, so factor that into the all-in cost. Main drawback: state always costs extra, even on the free tier ($54.99); "starting at" pricing.

Compare TaxAct with…

See how TaxAct stacks up in our tax software comparison and the best free tax software roundup.

We summarize each product's published pricing and features, not user reviews. Prices are promotional, change through the season, and are re-checked against the official page. Some outbound links may be affiliate links — that never affects which products we include or how we rate them. Nothing here is tax advice.