Filing taxes can be a gruelling and time-consuming task and if you dont get your figures right, it can cause you plenty of headache in the long run. Thankfully, technology, on its never-ending quest to make our lives easier, has concocted some pretty handy solutions for your tax-filing troubles, making completing your tax returns easier and quicker.
Some of these tax software products can do some core filing for a basic fee, while others charge more as they take care of additional tax areas, like real estate or investments. Regardless, here are some of the best tools to make managing your tax returns as painless as possible.
Flexible collection of options
User-friendly and stylish interface
Very flexible
Plenty of features
Advanced options can get expensive
H&R Block provides various packages, according to your specific tax-filing requirements. You can choose whether you want to do your taxes online or get help from a professional to take some of the load off your back. You can further define the exact amount of work you want to have done by the professional or by yourself.
If you feel confident doing your taxes completely by yourself, then the Online collection of packages is the right for you. It allows you to get the work done securely from your desktop or mobile device. If you have a W-2, have kids and education costs, then you qualify for the Free Online option, at a federal cost of $0 plus $0 per state. Youll get snap-a-pic W-2 importing options, access to help centre and tech support via chat.
The Deluxe Online package is designed for maximising credits and deductions, plus HSA contributions and will cost you $49.99, plus $44.99 per state filed. It includes free features plus six years access to tax returns, DeductionPro to optimise donations, as well as tech support via chat or phone.
Premium Online costs $69.99 plus $44.99 per state filed and is intended for freelancers, contractors, and investors. It includes the deluxe features plus importing expenses from popular expense-tracking apps, as well as cost basis calculation.
Self-employed and small businesses should go for the aptly named Self-Employed Online plan, at the price of $104.99 plus $44.99 per state filed, as it will get them premium features plus importing Uber driver tax information. All of the Online plans allow you to start for free.
Online Assist is for those who need assistance from a professional in their tax management. Basically, all of the packages take the plans from the Online collection and equip them with unlimited expert help. The first is Basic Online Assist costing $49.99 plus $39.99 per state filed. It combines the Free Online package with unlimited expert help.
It is followed by Deluxe Online Assist at $99.99 plus $49.99 per state filed, Premium Online Assist at $139.99 plus $49.99 per state filed, and Self-Employed Online Assist at $169.99 plus $49.99 per state filed.
The offer doesnt end there, not by a long shot. With H&R Block, you can also get your hands on tax returns delivery service and virtual filing. Specifically, the Drop-Off service offers various options for tax delivery, all starting at $69 plus an additional fee per state.
Tax Pro Go, on the other hand, allows you to have a professional do your taxes without even visiting an office - just upload your tax documents and the companys expert team will get all the work done for you. Different packages are available, such as Simple for W-2 income or social security income only, at $49 plus $45 per state filed, Student/Retired at $129 plus $45 per state filed, Family/Investor at $199 plus $45 per state filed, and Business Owner at $249 plus $45 per state filed.
With the In Office option, you can also choose to make an appointment with a tax pro and work together on your tax returns, starting at $69 plus an additional fee per state.
H&R Block also allows you to download its software under several pricing options - Basic Tax Software at $29.95, Deluxe + State Tax Software at $54.95, Premium Tax Software at $74.95, and Premium & Business Tax Software at $89.95, all with potential additional fees.
Veteran in the tax management business
Experienced provider with lots of features
Federal tax can be calculated for free
Can store your documents for later use
State tax returns may be slightly pricey
TurboTax is a well-known player in the tax returns field, with a successful career that dates back to the mid-1980s when it was established by the software company Chipsoft (now Intuit Consumer Tax Group).
It offers its services under quite a few pricing options, starting with the free tier for simpler tax returns, both federal and state. This offer covers W-2 income, Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), and child tax credits.
The most popular is the Deluxe package at $59 federal plus $49 per state filed that covers all W-2 and 1099-MISC income, mortgage and property tax deductions, charitable donations, student loan interest and education expenses, health savings account contributions, and retirement savings contributions.
It is followed by the Premier tier at $89 plus $49 state and is ideal for investments and rental property. The features include auto-importing of your investment info and tax data, scanning your return to check if everythings in order, and on-demand help from a TurboTax specialist.
The Self-Employed, at $119 plus $49 per state covers personal and business income and expenses and adds guidance for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners, industry-specific deductions, audit assessments, and the QuickBooks Self-Employed bookkeeping package.
The vendor also throws in the ItsDeductible option to help you calculate donations deductibles. On top of that, you can store your documents online if you need them for later, like in case of an audit.
Manage your taxes for free
Free software
Easy to use
Good mobile apps
There can be hidden costs
Like its name says, FreeTaxUSA is a free tax software that takes care of all your federal tax returns, including a full 1040, or even more complex options like an Earned Income Credit or K-1. However, adding a state tax return will cost you $14.95.
For those not really savvy with bookkeeping, theres also a Deluxe package where you can find features like Priority Support and Audit Assist, and the capability to manage amended returns. It will only cost you an additional but very reasonable $6.99.
FreeTaxUSA will take care of a wide array of areas, including self-employed income, government payments, retirement, debt cancellation, home sale, payment processing, social security, stocks and interests, as well as tuition program distributions.
Plenty of pricing options
Simple and intuitive interface
Decent app
High state tax filing prices
TaxAct is a simple and affordable tax solution that takes away the unnecessary hassle from the process of filing your taxes. If you have a W-2 income, dependents, college expenses, or retirement income to declare, you qualify for the free tier, even for the state taxes.
As for the paid packages, the cheapest is Deluxe+ at $54.95 plus $54.95 per state filed, covering homeowners plus people with credits, adjustments, and deductions. It takes everything from the free tier and expands it with additional options, like itemised deductions, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, student loan interest, HSA, adoption credits, as well as tax specialist phone support.
Premier+ costs $79.95 plus $54.95 per state filed and will get you everything from Deluxe+ plus stocks, gains, and losses, sales of home or other investments, royalty and Schedule K-1 income, investment income expenses, rental property income, foreign bank and financial accounts, and prioritised support with screen sharing.
Finally, at $109.95 plus $54.95 per state filed, Self Employed+ throws in freelance income, business and farm income, personalised business deductions, depreciation calculation, and year-round planning resources.
There are also bundle deals, combining individual and business options at $200, as well as downloadable editions of Basic ($26.95), Deluxe ($96.90), Premier ($101.90), and Self-Employed ($124.90) packages.
Reliable expert at low-cost tax returns
Very reasonably priced
Extensive support for all tiers
Lots of pricing options
Can be overwhelming for beginners
TaxSlayer is available under more affordable prices while offering a decent range of packages suitable for various requirements. They start with the Simply Free tier which allows you to file simple taxes, no charge, ideal for people who are single, married and filing a joint return, or a student.
The most affordable paid option is the Classic package which covers all tax situations and costs $17 plus $29 per state filed. It is followed by Premium at $37 plus $29 per state which allows you to quickly prepare and e-file, as well as getting the IRS audit assistance and priority support.
If youre in need of 1099 and Schedule C support, tax tips and resources, or a deduction finder, and youre willing to pay $47 plus $29 per state filed, then Self-Employed is for you.
Should you get stuck on which package to choose from, you can take advantage of the providers online guide to help you out.
Expert assistance for all your tax requirements
Real-person assistance
Hassle-free
Maximum refund guarantee
Can be expensive in some areas
Jackson Hewitt Online offers its services under an extensive range of solutions, depending on your tax situation complexity. For instance, the free option is excellent for simple tax returns, such as those for single and married people filing jointly up to $100,000 of taxable income. The software covers the standard deduction and W-2 income or unemployment, earned income tax credits, as long as there are no children involved.
If you do have children and other dependents, as well as in need of coverage for student loans, educator expenses, schedule EITC and child tax credit, dependent care expenses, or retirement income, then the Deluxe option is the one for you, at $29.99 plus $36.99 per state.
Finally, the Premier package at $49.99 plus $36.99 per state is designed for the self-employed taxpayers, those with incomes over $100,000, folks with rental property, and includes itemised deductions, as well as other deductions, credits, and income.
The platform is simple enough to master and the company guarantees maximum refund and claims it will cover the difference if any other service does the job better.
Simple tax filing, free of charge
Entirely free
Simple and intuitive interface
Integrated support
Requires Credit Karma account
Credit Karma was founded in 2007 as a multinational personal finance company whose services include providing free credit scores, and which has recently started offering a free tax filing service called Credit Karma Tax.
Before you can start using it, this service requires you to register for a Credit Karma account. Once you get it done, youll notice that it sports an intuitive and minimalistic interface that is easy enough to get around in, even for a beginner.
That said, if your tax situation is more complex, you might want to look elsewhere as the free service doesnt support some forms and is rather simplistic. It does, however, feature solid customer support and help along your tax filing journey.
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Best tax software of 2020 - ITProPortal