TaxAct vs TurboTax
TaxAct
taxact.com
TurboTax
turbotax.intuit.comSide by side
| Figure | TaxAct | TurboTax |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $44.99/mo | $79/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 21 | 11 |
| Spec score · Personal Tax Software | 9.1 (#4) | 8.9 (#12) |
| Spec score · Tax Software | 9.0 (#10) | 8.9 (#12) |
| Spec score · Small Business Tax Software | 8.5 (#4) | 8.2 (#8) |
| Spec score · Tax Calculators | 8.4 (#4) | 8.0 (#6) |
| Spec score · AI Tax Software | 8.5 (#8) | 8.1 (#13) |
| Spec score · Tax Preparation Software | 8.6 (#10) | 8.2 (#17) |
| Spec score · Income Tax software | 8.5 (#8) | 8.2 (#12) |
| Accuracy guarantee | The $100k Accuracy Guarantee covers qualifying software errors, including certain costs and penalties. | TurboTax pays IRS or state penalties and interest caused by a calculation error, subject to terms. |
| Audit support | Yes | Eligible customers receive one-on-one question-and-answer support; representation costs extra. |
| Founded | 1998 | 1983 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, United States | Mountain View, California, United States |
| Investment income | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile access | web_and_mobile | web_and_mobile |
| Pay when filing | For other online products, users can start free and pay when they file; stopping before printing or e-filing incurs no charge. | Most paid online and mobile products allow payment when filing, printing, mailing, or buying add-ons. |
| Refund policy | A refund may be requested within the purchase calendar year if billing was completed but the return was not printed or e-filed, subject to conditions. | Printing or electronically filing means satisfaction and generally waives the right to a refund. |
| Rental income | Yes | Yes |
| Self-employment support | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | 44.99 | 79 |
| State filing | paid_add_on | State filing is free with Free Edition and additional with Deluxe. |
Plans
TaxAct
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Deluxe$59.99, paid once
- Deluxe$59.99, paid once
- Premier$99.99, paid once
- Premier$99.99, paid once
- Self-Employed$109.99, paid once
- Self-Employed$109.99, paid once
- Basic Desktop$44.99, paid once
- Basic Desktop$44.99 a month
TurboTax
- Free EditionFree
- Do It Yourself Deluxe$79 a month
- Do It Yourself Deluxe$79, paid once
- Do It Yourself Premium$139, paid once
- Do It Yourself Premium$139 a month
- Expert Assist Premium$209, paid once
- Expert Assist Premium$209 a month
- TurboTax Free EditionFree
- TurboTax Mobile Free OfferFree
- TurboTax Do It Yourself Deluxe$79, paid once
In their own words
TaxAct
TaxAct provides tax preparation through online filing, downloadable software, and a mobile app. Its tools can import tax data and calculate deductions, credits, and refunds. The service covers individual filing and business options for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations, sole proprietors, and tax-exempt organizations. Mobile features include photographing documents, checking progress, filing on the go, and getting expert help. Free federal filing is available for eligible standard returns, but the Free Edition is limited to Form 1040 without attached forms or schedules. It covers listed cases such as W-2, unemployment, and retirement income; investment, rental, business, and self-employed income and expenses are excluded. Other online products can be started free, with payment due when filing. Online Deluxe costs 59.99 USD once, Premier 99.99 USD once, and Self-Employed 109.99 USD once; state filing is additional. TaxAct also offers professional software and Xpert Assist, with unlimited live advice for consumer 1040 products.
TurboTax
TurboTax is tax preparation software available online, on mobile, and as desktop software. It supports returns involving self-employment, investment income, and rental income, with state filing available as a paid add-on. Users can import, upload, or photograph documents, including information from participating employers and financial institutions; the maker says auto-imports are available from more than one million such organizations. Customers can receive unlimited expert advice or have an expert prepare a return from start to finish. Free filing is limited to simple Form 1040 returns, and the listed estimate is that about 37% of taxpayers qualify. The free tier excludes itemized deductions, business income, stock sales, rental income, and other schedules. Deluxe searches more than 350 deductions and credits, while Premium lists more than 450. Do It Yourself Deluxe is listed at $79, paid once for federal filing, with state additional. TurboTax says its accuracy guarantee covers IRS or state penalties and interest caused by a calculation error, subject to terms.