TaxACT Conclusion

With inexpensive products and top-notch tax support, TaxACT is the best deal of all tax products on market. This software has many similar services and features as TurboTax and H&R Block and is 66% less expensive than their comparable products. TaxACT includes the most complete and meticulous error-checking process of any tax product we've reviewed. For $7.95, TaxACT will not only give you access to their live tax support, but also assist you with filing your tax return. Since TaxACT doesn't give you the option to have a CPA review your tax return before filing, we wouldn't recommend it for highly complicated tax situations. In general, TaxACT's  products are best for those with simple to moderately complicated tax returns.

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TaxACT's tax software has fairly simple navigation and step-by-step on-screen guidance. This software includes the most detailed error-checking of any tax service we've researched. They check over your W-2 for Federal Income Tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings. If these are different from the correct percentage of your income for each tax, they will make you revisit your entries to make sure you input the correct amount. If you try to close a TaxACT window or tab, the system alerts you to save your information before changes are lost. TaxACT also allows you to bookmark sections or pages that you want to return to at a later time. The interface also shows you a refund meter that instantly recaluates your refund or amount owed with every entry. TaxACT gives you the ability to retrieve any of your past three years' tax returns for a nominal fee of $12.95. TaxACT lacks helper text bubbles that explain tax-related jargon and help guide your tax return process, which is included in TurboTax's software.

TaxACT offers unlimited phone support for questions about your taxes, which costs a one-time fee of $7.95. During tax season, the hours for TaxACT's support offices are from from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays (All times are Central). TaxACT does not have Audit Defense, which is an add-on service offered by other tax services, which includes representation in the case of an IRS audit (available with TurboTax, H&R Block, and CompleteTax). However, this service does include audit support which helps you prepare for an audit in the case you are summoned by the IRS.

The technical support provided by TaxACT is excellent, as the support staff is incredibly helpful and well informed. However, TaxACT does not offer live chat, and the wait time on email support was between one and two business days. Wait times listed may vary throughout tax season with differing levels of demand between the initial filing and deadline dates. During tax season, their tech support staff holds the same hours as their tax support, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT on Sundays.

TaxACT, which was recently acquired by InfoSpace in January 2012, has been on the market for more than 10 years. They have an Accuracy Guarantee, which reimburses you if you are assessed a fine due to a calculation error made by their software. TaxACT also offers a Maximum Refund Guarantee that makes sure you receive the largest refund that you are capable of getting.

TaxACT has the some of the least expensive tax products we have reviewed. The prices on these products range from free to $17.95 depending on how complicated your tax situation is. State tax add-ons cost between $8 and $14.95, which is fairly inexpensive compared to the tax products offered by most other brands. TaxACT makes you pay only after you file your finalized tax return.