TaxAct
Claim this toolOnline tax filing with DIY, expert help, and full-service tiers, free for simple returns.
From $45/mo (free plan available) Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
- Price
- From $45/mo (free plan available). Compare plans
Key facts
- Do It Yourself is free for simple W-2 returns; state filing is an additional fee on every tier.
- Xpert Assist (unlimited expert chat/calls plus a review) starts at $45 federal.
- Xpert Full Service (a dedicated pro handles everything) starts at $99 federal.
Pros
- Xpert Assist starts at $45, undercutting comparable tiers at TurboTax and H&R Block
- Xpert Full Service starts at $99, also below typical full-service pricing
- Free DIY tier available for simple returns
Cons
- State filing fees are additional and not fixed on the pricing page
- Free tier excludes investment income, rental property, and itemized deductions
What is TaxAct?
Key Features
- Free DIY filing for simple W-2 returns
- Deduction finder
- Xpert Assist unlimited expert chat and calls
- Xpert Full Service dedicated preparer
- Prior-year return import from other providers
- Audit support on Full Service
- Maximum refund and accuracy guarantees
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Oct 29, 2026. Source: taxact.com, read Oct 29, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Do It Yourself | $0 |
|
| Xpert Assist | $45 |
+1 more Show less
|
| Xpert Full Service | $99 |
+1 more Show less
|
Is TaxAct worth the price?
TaxAct's pricing is fair and competitive, with a genuinely free DIY tier for simple returns that undercuts many rivals.
The Xpert Assist at $45 and Xpert Full Service at $99 are reasonable for the expert support and dedicated preparation, though state filing adds cost. Best for cost-conscious filers with straightforward taxes or those wanting affordable professional help.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Xpert Assist $45 starting federal price
Xpert Full Service $99 starting federal price
TaxAct by the numbers
Toolradar data: TaxAct's entry paid plan ($45/mo) ranks #10 of 17 for price among the Tax Software tools with a verified entry price and no stated unit, where the median is $35/mo. As of Nov 2026.
| Metric | TaxAct | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | $45/mo | $35/mo | #10 of 17 tools with no stated price unit, verified price |
| Free plan | Yes | 12 of 46 have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 1 tool | 2 | #25 of 46 (joint) |
Listed as an alternative to: #24 on 2026-10-16 to #25 on 2026-11-11 (rank among 46 tools, 1 is best).
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. A lower entry price ranks higher; prices are read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis. All Tax Software data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position.
Cite this: Toolradar, “TaxAct by the numbers”, Nov 2026.
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TaxAct FAQ
How much does TaxAct's Xpert Assist cost?
Does TaxAct offer full-service tax prep?
How does TaxAct pricing compare with other Tax Software tools?
Does TaxAct have a promo code or discount code?
Source: taxact.com