TaxAct Holdings, Inc.
TaxAct Review 2026
Middle-tier option — cheaper than TurboTax/H&R Block, more polished than budget tools.
Who TaxAct is best for
Filers who want a paid tier between FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax in both price and polish.
At a glance
- Federal
- $0–$94
- State
- $39–$59
- Accuracy guarantee
- $100K
- Prior-year import
- Yes
Free for simple, up to $94 Self-Employed
Per state, paid tiers
Maximum guarantee if their math errors cost you
From TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct PDF
Pros
- +Pricing 30-40% below TurboTax for equivalent tiers
- +$100K accuracy guarantee — meaningful if their software errors cost you
- +Better UX than FreeTaxUSA without the TurboTax markup
- +Strong handling of self-employed and rental property
Cons
- −State filing is paid even with Free federal tier (unlike H&R Block)
- −Free tier supports fewer filer types than H&R Block or Cash App Taxes
- −Customer support not as deep as TurboTax / H&R Block
TaxAct requirements
- Any US taxpayer
- All filer types supported across tiers
TaxAct alternatives
Top alternatives worth comparing from Best Tax Software 2026.
TaxHawk, Inc.
FreeTaxUSA
Anyone with a federal return who wants professional-grade software at near-zero cost.
Block, Inc.
Cash App Taxes
Cash App users with relatively straightforward returns who want zero-cost filing.
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
IRS Direct File
Not usable right now. Historically fit W-2 employees with straightforward returns in participating states — the IRS Free File Alliance (FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct) is the closest free alternative this season.
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Apply at TaxAct Holdings, Inc.→Last verified at the issuer on 2026-08-05
Compare TaxAct head-to-head
The full lineup
See all picks in Best Tax Software 2026
Editorial methodology + complete ranking criteria + side-by-side comparison of all picks.
Read the full guide →Bottom line
TaxAct scores 3.9 / 5 on the ClearValue Rating — a deterministic editorial composite from the product's own published fees, terms, and eligibility. Best for: Filers who want a paid tier between FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax in both price and polish.
◆ How we scored it
The ClearValue Rating, broken down.
- Cost
- 35%
- Fit & approval odds
- 30%
- Speed & terms
- 20%
- Transparency
- 15%
Cost (35%), Fit & approval odds (30%), Speed & terms (20%), Transparency (15%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation. Full methodology →
Frequently asked
Questions about TaxAct
Who is TaxAct best for?+
TaxAct suits filers who want a paid option between FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax in both price and polish — a mid-tier choice that's cheaper than premium tools but more refined than budget ones.
How much does TaxAct cost?+
Per the listed data, federal filing runs $0 to $94 (free for simple returns, up to $94 for Self-Employed) and state filing runs $39 to $59 per state on paid tiers. Note that state filing is paid even with the free federal tier. Confirm current pricing at TaxAct.
Does TaxAct have an accuracy guarantee?+
Yes. The data lists a $100K maximum accuracy guarantee, meaning TaxAct will cover up to that amount if their software's math errors cost you. Review the full terms at TaxAct.
Can I import my prior-year return into TaxAct?+
Yes. TaxAct supports prior-year import from TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct PDFs, per the listed data.
How do I file with TaxAct?+
You begin your return directly at taxact.com. ClearValue Lending is a neutral third-party information platform and does not prepare or file tax returns — filing is handled by TaxAct.
Related guides
Independent editorial review. ClearValue Lending is a business & personal financing platform — not a lender, broker, or financial advisor. Some links are affiliate links; the issuer may pay a referral commission at no cost to you, which never changes the score. Specific product terms vary; verify with the issuer before applying. See privacy policy.