TaxSlayer LLC
TaxSlayer Review 2026
Strong value tier with specialty focus on self-employed filers.
Who TaxSlayer is best for
Self-employed filers who want strong Schedule C support without TurboTax pricing.
At a glance
- Federal
- $0–$67
- State
- $0–$45
- Self-Employed tier
- $67
- Filing options
- Online or desktop
Free for simple, $67 Self-Employed
Free with Simply Free; $45 with paid tiers
Among the lowest priced for Schedule C filers
Both supported
Pros
- +Self-Employed tier ($67) is among the lowest priced for Schedule C filers
- +Strong handling of military filers (free Military edition)
- +Faster, less-cluttered UX than TurboTax
- +Live phone and email support included in paid tiers
Cons
- −Free tier supports only very simple returns
- −State filing requires upgrade beyond Simply Free for most filers
- −Less polished investment-import experience than TurboTax
- −Smaller brand recognition than market leaders
TaxSlayer requirements
- Any US taxpayer
- All filer types supported
- Active-duty military gets free federal + state
TaxSlayer 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.
Ready to apply?
Application takes minutes. Pre-qualification (where available) uses a soft credit pull with no impact to your credit score.
Apply at TaxSlayer LLC→Last verified at the issuer on 2026-08-05
Compare TaxSlayer 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
TaxSlayer scores 3.8 / 5 on the ClearValue Rating — a deterministic editorial composite from the product's own published fees, terms, and eligibility. Best for: Self-employed filers who want strong Schedule C support without TurboTax pricing.
◆ 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 TaxSlayer
Who is TaxSlayer best for?+
TaxSlayer is geared toward self-employed filers who want strong Schedule C support without TurboTax-level pricing. Its Self-Employed tier runs $67, which is among the lowest priced for Schedule C filers.
How much does TaxSlayer cost?+
Federal filing ranges from $0 (simple returns) up to $67 for the Self-Employed tier. State filing runs $0 with Simply Free and $45 with paid tiers, per TaxSlayer's published pricing.
Is TaxSlayer free for military members?+
TaxSlayer offers a free Military edition. Per the product data, active-duty military members get free federal plus state filing. Confirm current eligibility terms at taxslayer.com.
Can I file online or use desktop software with TaxSlayer?+
Both options are supported — TaxSlayer offers online and desktop filing. Paid tiers also include live phone and email support.
What are the main trade-offs with TaxSlayer's free tier?+
The free tier supports only very simple returns, and most filers will need to upgrade beyond Simply Free for state filing. The investment-import experience is also less polished than TurboTax. ClearValue Lending is a financial-information platform, not a tax preparer — verify your specific situation at taxslayer.com.
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.