Best Free Online Tax Software: TaxAct – Business News Daily
Credit: TaxAct
After conducting a thorough review of online tax software, we recommend TaxAct as the best free tax software for small businesses. We chose TaxAct from dozens of online tax software options. To understand how we chose TaxAct, you can look at our methodology and a list of online tax software vendors on our best picks page.
TaxAct's free edition is excellent for filers with simple federal and state returns. The software supports forms 1040A and 1040EZ, which essentially means personal tax filers with incomes below $100,000 can use TaxAct for free to fulfill their tax requirements. While TaxAct offers the best free online tax software we reviewed, filers with more complex needs will either have to upgrade or use a different service.
Free state filing is included with the free version, and for $10, users can import the previous year's information not just from TaxAct, but also from TurboTax and H&R Block (two of our other best picks.)
As far as free products go, TaxAct offered a complete and accurate platform that didn't feel like it was skimping on the product. While not as fluid or guided as leading paid products, TaxAct does a great job of making filing straightforward and hassle free. Additionally, the availability of tax-time resources and assistance, regardless of subscription level, means even free filers don't have to go it alone.
We chose TaxAct as our best pick, because unlike many free online tax applications, TaxAct offers a product that is professional and comprehensive. Although access to more complex forms is limited, TaxAct free still inspires trust with the quality of its free features.
TaxAct's user interface is less user friendly than that of some paid software we reviewed. It lacks the guided step-by-step feel of our other best picks, but it still isn't difficult to navigate. Rather than respond to prompts, TaxAct users navigate through a series of tabs to manually fill out fields and follow checklists. While all of the needed information is immediately accessible, it takes more focus on the user's end to ensure everything is properly filled out.
While TaxAct's features are limited compared to our other best picks, its offerings are more plentiful compared to other free filing software.
If TaxAct seems like the solution for you, but you require more than the 1040A or 1040EZ forms, upgrading is still relatively cheaper than other leading solutions on the market.
These plans are more basic and straightforward than some competitors, but the price is lower for a tax preparation program that still delivers a quality experience and accurate service. While we chose TaxAct as our best free online tax software application, the paid versions are also solid choices for those preparing more complicated returns on a budget.
When we called TaxAct posing as a small business in need of simple tax filing solutions, we were met with a short wait time. It wasn't long before we were connected with a representative who explained what the free version does and does not include.
We felt much better acquainted with the software's capabilities and limitations, despite our prior research, after we spoke with customer service. We didn't get the feeling that we were being urged to choose TaxAct when we said it was just a preliminary discussion; however, we were explicitly asking about the free edition. It's unclear if this same level of acceptance would have been shown were we interested in premium versions of TaxAct's product. Overall, our customer service experience was exceptional.
TaxAct's service and support includes a slew of tax-time resources like how to file extensions, new IRS forms, W-2 assistance and how to contact the IRS. TaxAct also includes a resource center for audit assistance, which guides users through navigating an IRS audit.
TaxAct's phone number is difficult to locate on the website, but it does maintain a support center via phone and email. Business hours for the company are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT from April 19 through early January. During tax season, they expand their hours to include Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT as well as Saturdays (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT) and Sundays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT). Every version, including the free edition, comes with unlimited support.
TaxAct's free edition isn't going to measure up to top-tier paid programs, but it does a great job of offering personal income tax services at no cost. Still, if your business requires more complicated filings for instance, companies that aren't structured as a pass-through entity you're going to require a paid service to ensure accuracy and access to all of the necessary forms.
However, for straightforward tax situations, like those involving LLCs, TaxAct's free version should cover your needs and go above and beyond other free software.
Already prepared to choose an online tax software? Here's a breakdown of the rest of our coverage:
Here is the original post:
Best Free Online Tax Software: TaxAct - Business News Daily
- The best Android antivirus apps in 2024 - Tom's Guide - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Best photo editing software in 2024 - Tom's Guide - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- BYD recalls 16666 Seagull EVs in China due to software issue that may prevent reverse camera image from displaying - CnEVPost - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- KIA installs free anti-theft software this weekend in St. Louis area - KSDK.com - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- KIA installing free anti-theft software to impacted car owners - WHAS11.com - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Free Windows Apps and Software for PC Gamers to Take Gaming to the Next Level - Gizchina.com - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Best survey tool of 2024 - TechRadar - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Grand Rapids Police and Hyundai Offer Free Anti-Theft Software Upgrades Amid Vehicle Theft Wave - Hoodline - April 26th, 2024 [April 26th, 2024]
- Blueprint Software Systems Announces Free Trial for RPA Analytics Solution - PR Web - April 26th, 2024 [April 26th, 2024]
- Houston Police, Hyundai to host free anti-theft security event for vehicle owners - Houston Public Media - April 26th, 2024 [April 26th, 2024]
- Descartes Systems buys Aerospace Software Developments Winnipeg Free Press - Winnipeg Free Press - April 26th, 2024 [April 26th, 2024]
- Kia offers free software upgrades in Cleveland this weekend - WKYC.com - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Free software lets you design and test warp drives with real physics - New Atlas - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Clinic offering free Kia software updates continuing through weekend - Yahoo! Voices - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hyundai providing free anti-theft software installation this weekend at Greenspoint Mall - KHOU.com - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Kia offers free software upgrades in Cleveland this weekend: How to get yours - WKYC.com - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hyundai providing free anti-theft software installion in Houston - KHOU.com - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Kia gives free software upgrades this weekend at the Cleveland Aquarium - WKYC.com - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Ubuntu Studio in new LTS beta; still the easiest creative Linux distro - CDM Create Digital Music - Create Digital Music - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Free anti-theft software upgrades available for Central Texas Hyundai drivers - KEYE TV CBS Austin - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- How to get free help with income tax prep, or free software | Business | postandcourier.com - The Post and Courier - February 23rd, 2024 [February 23rd, 2024]
- Best encryption software of 2024 - TechRadar - February 23rd, 2024 [February 23rd, 2024]
- The best free VPN in 2024 - TechRadar - February 23rd, 2024 [February 23rd, 2024]
- AI imaging software generates a gallery of stereotypes, says Univ. of ... - GeekWire - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Roku's free update that makes it easier to find new shows and ... - TechRadar - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- How To Find Alternatives To ChatGPT Forbes Advisor UK - Forbes - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- How To Find Alternatives To ChatGPT Forbes Advisor Australia - Forbes - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Assassin's Creed Syndicate is now free to keep on Ubisoft Connect - OC3D - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Google Confirms Its Schedule for Disabling Third-Party Cookies in ... - Slashdot - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Tata Consultancy Services Ordered To Cough Up $210 Million In ... - Slashdot - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Meta Knowingly Collected Data on Pre-Teens, Unredacted ... - Slashdot - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- US, Britain, Other Countries Ink Agreement To Make AI 'Secure by ... - Slashdot - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Plex Users Fear New Feature Will Leak Porn Habits To Their ... - Slashdot - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- This free software converts drone videos into 2D maps in minutes! - DroneDJ - November 14th, 2023 [November 14th, 2023]
- How 'Hour of Code' Will Teach Students About Issues with AI - Slashdot - November 14th, 2023 [November 14th, 2023]
- Nothing is Bringing iMessage To Its Android Phone - Slashdot - November 14th, 2023 [November 14th, 2023]
- How To Build A WordPress Website In 9 Steps - Forbes - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- Best Adobe Acrobat free alternatives - PC Guide - For The Latest PC Hardware & Tech News - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- Monday.com Pricing and Plans 2023 Forbes Advisor Canada - Forbes - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- PIRG Petitions Microsoft To Extend the Life of Windows 10 - Slashdot - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- Kidsoft launches free calculator to simplify "Free Kindy" fee working - The Sector - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- Drugmakers Are Set To Pay 23andMe Millions To Access Consumer ... - Slashdot - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- Biden Signs Executive Order To Oversee and Invest in AI - Slashdot - November 1st, 2023 [November 1st, 2023]
- Meta's Next AI Attack on OpenAI: Free Code-Generating Software - The Information - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Millions of Samsung Galaxy S23 users just got a sweet free software ... - Yahoo Life - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Red Hat unlikely to be standard for enterprise Linux in future, says ... - iTWire - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Observing Basics: Astrophotography without a scope | Astronomy.com - Astronomy Magazine - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Chattanooga trucking and logistics companies are among the fastest ... - Chattanooga Times Free Press - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- How Google is Planning To Beat OpenAI - Slashdot - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Tesla Says It Will Build New 'First of Its Kind' Data Centers - Slashdot - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Bank of Ireland IT Blunder Allows Customers To Withdraw More ... - Slashdot - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- LK-99 Isn't a Superconductor - How Science Sleuths Solved the ... - Slashdot - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Mayor Bowser Announces Hyundai Anti-Theft Mobile Clinic | mayormb - Executive Office of the Mayor - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Responding to Data Breach at Contractor | CMS - CMS - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Five Auburn Alumni Receive Award for Work to Advance Tax Prep ... - CPAPracticeAdvisor.com - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Codeiums Varun Mohan and Jeff Wang on Unleashing the Power of ... - Nvidia - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Banner Health provides free concussion baseline testing for every ... - Queen Creek Sun Times - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Hugging Face, GitHub and More Unite To Defend Open Source in ... - Slashdot - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes To Big Tech ... - Slashdot - July 30th, 2023 [July 30th, 2023]
- Best Dogecoin Casinos & Gambling Sites Ranked by DOGE Bonuses, Games, and More - The Hudson Reporter - July 2nd, 2023 [July 2nd, 2023]
- GCC Steering Committee Announces a Code of Conduct - Slashdot - July 2nd, 2023 [July 2nd, 2023]
- AI Predicts Diseases, Advancing Toward HIV Cure, Acquisitions ... - Bio-IT World - July 2nd, 2023 [July 2nd, 2023]
- WISeKey upgrades its WISeID digital identity and privacy platform - Help Net Security - July 2nd, 2023 [July 2nd, 2023]
- FBI Forms National Database To Track and Prevent 'Swatting' - Slashdot - July 2nd, 2023 [July 2nd, 2023]
- BYU Library offers free software classes - The Daily Universe - Universe.byu.edu - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Free Streaming Software Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth ... - The Bowman Extra - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- How to build a virtual studio for free with free plugins and music ... - MusicRadar - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Battlebit Remastered Price - Is it free? - PC Guide - For The Latest PC Hardware & Tech News - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- How to Install the iPadOS 17 Developer Beta on Your iPad for Free - MacRumors - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Human Resources Software: 4 HR Tools for Small Businesses - CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- YouTube Tells Open-Source Privacy Software 'Invidious' to Shut Down - Slashdot - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Arctic Could Be Sea Ice-Free in the Summer by the 2030s - Slashdot - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- The IRS Will Test Out Its Own Free Tax Prep Software in 2024 - Money - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- The IRS is working on software to allow taxpayers to file online - NPR - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- RIB Software launches free-to-use RIB Carbon Quantifier for ... - GlobeNewswire - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Read the letter: Twitter accuses Microsoft of using its data in unauthorized ways - CNBC - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Police Facial Recognition Technology Can't Tell Black People Apart - Scientific American - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Porsche Taycan Gets EV Charging Station Finder in Apple Maps - Car and Driver - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Tesla to roll out free Full Self-Driving software, but there's a catch. Know here - HT Auto - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Meta Made Its AI Tech Open-Source. Rivals Say Its a Risky Decision. - The New York Times - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]