TaxAct App Review: A Reliable Tax Filing Companion for 2025

It’s the end of the financial year. You’re staring at a mountain of receipts, multiple 1099 forms, and the haunting feeling that you’re missing a deduction that could save you hundreds, if not thousands. Sound familiar?

Now imagine completing your taxes without hiring a CPA, without spending your entire weekend deciphering forms, and knowing with confidence it’s all accurate.

That’s exactly the problem TaxAct is solving for millions of individuals, freelancers, and small businesses across the U.S.

Quick App Snapshot (TL;DR Section)

What Is TaxAct and Why Does It Matter?

TaxAct is an online tax preparation and filing platform built to make federal and state tax returns easier, faster, and more accurate. From basic 1040s to more complex business filings, TaxAct provides a clear, guided experience so users can file their taxes confidently, without needing to be tax experts.

At its core, TaxAct is about empowerment through simplicity. It strips away the traditional friction of tax season: no confusing paperwork, no endless searching for deduction opportunities, and no need to sit on hold with an accountant. Whether you’re a solo freelancer with gig income or a small business owner with depreciation schedules, the app tailors your experience with intelligent branching and interview-style questions.

It also offers value transparency, with pricing clearly defined upfront and no hidden charges. Unlike some competitors that charge extra for add-ons, TaxAct includes many features such as unlimited tax expert access and real-time refund updates in its bundled tiers.

For small businesses and entrepreneurs who wear many hats, time is money. TaxAct frees up time and mental space by streamlining one of the most stressful and necessary business responsibilities: filing accurate, compliant taxes.

Who Is This App REALLY For?

Recommended For:

• Independent contractors & freelancers
  
• Small business owners
  
• Individuals filing taxes without a CPA
  
• Self-employed professionals with multiple income streams
  
• Tax professionals looking for client-ready tools
  

Avoid If:

• You’re filing outside the U.S.
  
• You need multi-state business tax support (complex filings beyond one state)
  
• You want full-service tax filing with a human CPA managing every step
  

Our Hands-On Experience / Real Use Case

We tested the TaxAct Deluxe+ State edition to simulate filing as a freelancer with mixed income (W-2 and 1099). The setup was smooth, we created an account, verified our identity, and began the return in under 5 minutes.

The standout? The guided Q&A system. It didn’t feel like “doing taxes”, it felt like having a calm conversation with a virtual assistant who knew exactly what to ask next. Uploading tax forms was painless thanks to document import and pre-fill options, and we were surprised at how well it caught deduction opportunities we usually overlook, like home office expenses and mileage logs.
Time taken to complete a full return: 47 minutes.
No errors flagged. The system even showed an estimated refund tracker in real-time.

While we didn’t face issues, several public reviews on Trustpilot mention that live chat wait times can increase during peak season, something to keep in mind if you’re filing close to the deadline.

Key Features That Stand Out

✅ Step-by-Step Guided Filing

TaxAct walks you through every section of your return with plain language and helpful hints.
Why it matters: No tax knowledge needed, you’re guided like a first-time user without being talked down to.

✅ Max Refund and $100k Accuracy Guarantee

They guarantee your return is accurate, or they’ll reimburse up to $100k in covered costs.
Why it matters: Peace of mind, especially important for business owners making complex claims.

✅ Unlimited Access to Tax Experts

Pro-level packages include on-demand help from licensed tax professionals via screen share or chat.
Why it matters: You’re never left to second-guess a deduction or form.

✅ Free Document Storage & Access

Returns and documents are securely stored for 7 years.
Why it matters: Useful for audits or for referencing in future returns, especially for business recordkeeping.

✅ Mobile App Experience

Both iOS and Android apps allow you to start, continue, and complete filing on the go.
Why it matters: Tax filing doesn’t have to be confined to your desktop.

Workflow Fit & Integration Potential

TaxAct is primarily a standalone solution, meaning it’s best used directly through its web or mobile app interface. It does not currently offer integrations with tools like Zapier, Slack, or Notion, and it’s not designed to be part of an automated finance stack.

However, it fits neatly into a solopreneur or small business workflow when paired with accounting tools like QuickBooks or Wave. You can manually import numbers from your books and export returns for bookkeeping or loan applications.

It reduces manual tax prep time significantly, especially with repeat use, your previous year’s data auto-populates, and the platform flags incomplete fields for review before submission.

Pricing Breakdown & ROI for Businesses

Here’s the 2025 pricing (per the TaxAct website as of July 2025):

Estimated ROI for businesses:
Compare hiring a CPA for $300–$1000 per return vs. using TaxAct Self-Employed for under $105. If it helps you catch one major deduction (e.g. $2,000 mileage write-off), the app pays for itself several times over.

Pros and Cons (Clear & Honest)

Pros:
✅ Affordable pricing tiers
✅ Straightforward, no-nonsense interface
✅ Accuracy and refund guarantees
✅ On-demand expert help (with Pro+)
✅ Strong support for freelancers and 1099s

Cons:
❌ Limited third-party app integrations
❌ Peak-season support may be slower
❌ Multi-state business filing options are limited

How It Stacks Up Against Alternatives

TurboTax

Probably the most well-known competitor. TurboTax offers a very polished user experience and more hand-holding, but it comes with a premium price tag.

TaxAct wins on affordability and transparency.

H&R Block
Strong in both online and in-person options. Offers extensive in-person support and physical locations.

TaxAct wins on faster digital setup and a smoother mobile user experience.

FreeTaxUSA
Great for basic federal returns. Very budget-friendly.

TaxAct wins on expert support access, refund maximization tools, and UI polish.

Final Verdict: Should You Use It or Skip It?

Our Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

If you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or solo professional looking to take control of your taxes without spending a fortune, TaxAct is a smart, dependable choice.

It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t integrate with your entire SaaS stack, but it delivers on the fundamentals: simplicity, accuracy, and affordability. For most people, that’s exactly what tax 

Curious how other tax apps compare? Read our review of Blackjack Basic Strategy Trainer App for a different take on app simplicity.

Have you tried TaxAct yet? Let us know your experience.

Need help building a SaaS tool like this for your business? Contact us,  we specialize in product strategy, UI/UX, and full-stack development for mission-critical platforms.