In our thorough analysis, TaxAct emerged as the top choice for tax filing, excelling in affordability and a comprehensive range of features even in its free version. Evaluating 20 different tax apps, we focused on key factors such as features, costs, user experience, and real customer feedback to determine the most beneficial options available.
Best Overall: TaxAct
TaxAct
TaxAct stands out as the best overall tax app owing to its competitive pricing and robust free features. While it operates through a web interface rather than a traditional app, its responsiveness across desktop, tablet, and smartphone platforms ensures seamless usage for all users.
Pros
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Effortlessly import previous tax data, even from other providers
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Offers the most comprehensive free option among providers
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Facilitates payment for tax filing through your refund
Cons
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Lacks expense tracking functionality
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Additional charge for state filings, even with the free package
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User interface not as intuitive as some other tax apps
Founded in 1998 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, TaxAct offers user-friendly tax preparation software for seamless e-filing via its intuitive web interface. Despite not being a traditional app, its design and performance mirror that of mobile app convenience.
Backing its service, TaxAct provides a substantial guarantee: if any calculation error occurs in your filing, the company will reimburse you up to $100,000 in IRS penalties and interest. Additionally, the Maximum Refund Guarantee ensures a free filing if another product results in a higher refund.
Other advantages include the easy importation of prior tax return data, even from different providers. Users can also benefit from a $20 Amazon gift card referral reward and a 20% discount for the referred individual.
TaxAct’s DIY Express packages include various tiers catering to different tax scenarios, ranging from simple filers to self-employed individuals, providing comprehensive coverage of income sources, deductions, and tax credits.
Best for Business Owners: QuickBooks Self-Employed
QuickBooks
Tailored for business owners, QuickBooks Self-Employed offers comprehensive business expense tracking and tax filing capabilities. Additionally, users can conveniently make quarterly estimated tax payments directly within the app.
Pros
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Ease of tracking business expenses and mileage on the go
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Access authorization for accountants or tax advisors
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Facilitates estimating and paying IRS dues quarterly through the app
Cons
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Potential for accidental data duplication between uploads and transaction syncing
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Syncing limitations with some smaller banks and credit unions
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Lacks inventory tracking and payroll features
Integrated with TurboTax, QuickBooks is a leading accounting software provider renowned for its seamless accounting solutions. The Self-Employed app enables users to track both personal and business expenses, mileage, and even manage invoices, making it an ideal choice for business owners.
With a strong rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store and 3.8 stars on Google Play, users can access the app across various platforms, ensuring flexibility and convenience. While some users cite occasional glitches, many appreciate the comprehensive expense tracking capabilities of the app.
Business owners with larger operations requiring inventory tracking may find QuickBooks Online more suitable than the self-employed version due to its expanded feature set.
QuickBooks Self-Employed offers three distinct packages catering to different business needs and complexities, providing a range of features from separating business and personal expenses to thorough tax deductions for self-employed individuals.
Best for Live Support: H&R Block Tax Prep and File
H&R Block logo
H&R Block Tax Prep and File excels in live support, offering Online Assist to provide unlimited assistance from tax experts round the clock during the tax season. Users can upload documents for a tax professional to handle the filing process.
Pros
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Starting at $55, users receive unlimited help from tax experts, enrolled agents, and CPAs 24/7 during the tax season
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Document upload feature for expert-assisted tax filing using Tax Pro Go
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Digital storage for receipts, returns, donations, and other tax documents
Cons
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Considered one of the pricier options due to mandatory Online Assist purchase
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Lacks built-in expense tracking functionality
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Concerns around the Peace of Mind audit support only applicable if H&R Block is at fault
H&R Block Tax Prep and File, offered by the renowned tax preparation firm H&R Block established in 1955, provides a comprehensive tax app facilitating self-filing with expert support starting at $55 and professional filing starting at $85, making it an excellent choice for top-notch online support.
With a solid reputation reflected in its 4.8-star rating on the App Store and 4.5 stars on Google Play, users can leverage the ease of filing taxes through the app or its web interface. Additionally, users can conveniently settle tax filing fees via their refund for a minor fee.
The app guarantees several benefits, including the “No Surprise Guarantee,” “Maximum Refund Guarantee,” “Audit Support Guarantee,” and “100% Accuracy Guarantee,” assuring users a secure and reliable tax filing process. Various plan options are available, each tailored to suit different tax requirements.
Users can choose from multiple packages, providing varying levels of tax coverage and support—from essential filing services to in-depth deductions and investments reporting.
Best for Fast Filing: TurboTax Tax Return App
TurboTax offers a swift tax filing experience by enabling users to receive up to $4,000 as a refund advance within three hours of IRS acceptance. With convenient auto-import and auto-fill features, users can expedite their tax filing process, ideal for those seeking a quick turnaround.
Pros
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Streamlined process with photo-input for W2 information
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Access up to $4,000 refund advance shortly after IRS acceptance
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Auto-import W2 data using Employer Identification Number, if available
Cons
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Relatively higher cost for complex tax scenarios
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Occasional upsell offers may be a drawback for some users
Part of Intuit, a prominent provider of tax preparation software, TurboTax Tax Return App facilitates swift filing by offering innovative auto-fill and auto-import functionalities. These features make it the leading choice for users seeking expedited tax filing.
With commendable ratings of 4.8 stars on the App Store and 4.6 stars on Google Play, users can access the app via various platforms, ensuring widespread availability. Though some users mention upsell concerns, many appreciate the time-saving benefits of auto-filling taxes accurately.
Users opting for TurboTax’s Free Edition are entitled to the maximum refund guarantee, assuring a free filing in case of a higher refund elsewhere. The app also offers options to pay for tax filing using the refund received, eliminating upfront fees for filing.
With the Refund Advance feature, users can access up to $4,000 of their refund as an advance shortly after IRS approval, providing a swift financial relief option with no additional fees.
TurboTax presents users with various packages catering to different tax requirements, ensuring a comprehensive range of services for individual and business tax situations.
Best for Ongoing Expense Tracking: YNAB
You Need a Budget
Renowned as a budgeting app, You Need a Budget (YNAB) proves to be an exceptional tool for continuous expense monitoring. To ease tax filing, users can effortlessly download a comma-separated values (CSV) file to share income and expenditure details with tax preparers or use it for self-filing purposes.
Pros
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Extensive educational resources including video tutorials and free courses
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Accessible via both app and web interface
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Seamless transaction syncing with bank and investment accounts
Cons
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Steep learning curve for new users
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Lacks built-in tax filing capabilities, necessitating CSV file export for external tax software use
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Manual transaction uploads required for banks not directly supported
To streamline tax filing, meticulous organization throughout the year is key. YNAB serves as an ideal platform for users to maintain financial accounts consistently, simplifying tax filing by ensuring all income and expenses are meticulously categorized for effortless tax preparation.
Available through both an app and web interface, YNAB offers a monthly subscription at $14.99 or an annual plan at $99, with a 34-day free trial period. Students can enjoy a complimentary one-year membership, and receive a 10% discount on the annual plan post the free year period.
Boasting a stellar 4.8-star rating on the App Store and 4.6 stars on Google Play, the app garners appreciation for its finance management features despite a learning curve. Live classes are offered daily for users seeking hands-on budgeting guidance.
The Bottom Line
Empowering users with efficient tax filing solutions, many tax apps facilitate seamless filing processes from mobile devices. While advanced packages are beneficial for complex tax scenarios, simpler filers can leverage free options offered by most providers for hassle-free filing.
As per IRS data, the average tax refund in 2023 stood at $3,167. To maximize your refund potential, leveraging every available tax deduction and credit is vital. Online and mobile tax apps play a crucial role in simplifying this process.
Our recommendation for the best tax app, TaxAct, stands out for its cost-effectiveness, comprehensive free package, and flexibility to pay filing fees from tax refunds. Additionally, its ability to import prior tax data adds significant convenience for users.
Compare Providers
| Tax App | Why We Chose It | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| TaxAct | Best Overall | Reasonable prices and a comprehensive free package |
| QuickBooks Self-Employed | Best for Business Owners | Track expenses and send invoices |
| H&R Block Tax Prep and File | Best for Live Support | Access tax pros 24/7 during the filing season |
| TurboTax Tax Return App | Best for Fast Filing | Auto-fill and import data using your phone, then receive a refund advance within three hours of IRS acceptance |
| YNAB | Best for
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