Where is the Best Site to Do Your Tax Preparation? Let's face it: tax season is nobody's favorite time of the year. Whether you're a W-2 employee or an independent contractor, taxes are a source of stress every spring. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Tax preparation services are there to ease the process (and are particularly helpful if you own your own business).
Best Option
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Tax Slayer lives up to its name as a platform that helps you "slay" your taxes with the confidence of a knight through its user-friendly tax preparation services. With affordable pricing that goes up to $52.95 for your filing, excellent customer service, and a 100% accuracy guarantee, Tax Slayer is a standout choice for DIY tax preparation. Tax Slayer shows solid ratings from the BBB and happy customers, earning Tax Slayer our highest recommendation.
Cash App Taxes is a completely free and user-friendly tax preparation (and filing) service offered through the popular mobile platform Cash App. Cash App Taxes offers an accurate return estimate, supports most major IRS forms for filing, and has IRS-approved e-filing services so you can finish your taxes without any stress. The company offers an error-free process and a guarantee to provide reimbursement if there is an error on Cash App Taxes' end. For its simplified tax filing and 100% free platform, Cash App Taxes earns the #2 spot on our list of tax preparation services.
Very Good
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E-file is a reliable, IRS-authorized software provider for tax preparation and filing. Offering options for individuals, married couples, and small businesses, E-file is free to join and begin the process of filling out your returns. While there are tiered prices that limit the platform's usage, the overall costs for submitting your taxes are lower than at most competitors. For this reason, along with praise from customer reviews and the BBB, E-file earns a high rating overall.
Turbotax is a well-known name in tax preparation, offering a range of filing options to help you every step or let you do the entire thing yourself. While it's easy to use and packed with helpful tools, Turbotax's pricing can get costly very quickly. With mixed reviews highlighting both its user-friendly platform and also complaints about customer service, Turbotax is a middle-ground tax prep choice that offers solid support for basic returns but may not be the best value if you need more dedicated assistance.
Average
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Jackson Hewitt offers both online and in-person tax filing services, with convenient brick-and-mortar locations, including inside many Walmart retail stores. While the $25 flat fee for online tax preparation is straightforward, in-person pricing varies by location and isn't listed upfront. Given the concerns from reviewers that show costly fees for tax preparation, Jackson Hewitt isn't as competitive as it could be. However, with an "A+" rating from the BBB, Jackson Hewitt remains a balanced option especially if you like that in-person touch.
Fair
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Liberty Tax offers a mix of in-person, online, and remote tax preparation options, giving a uniquely flexible approach to filing your taxes. While some perks like free consultations, and an accuracy guarantee are exciting, Liberty Tax doesn't stand out from the pack due to its high costs, especially for self-employed taxpayers. With concerning reviews from customers regarding service quality, Liberty Tax holds a below-average rating rather than a more competitive spot.
Fair
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FreeTaxUSA is a free tax filing service for e-filing your taxes online. With a straightforward sign-up process and three guarantees - including accuracy and maximum refunds - it's easy to see why many people give it a try. However, mixed reviews about login issues, technical glitches, and problems with changing one's residential location earn it a more cautious rating in our review.
EZ Tax Return is a site that offers quick and easy filing. While the platform does offer free filing for simple federal returns, its issues with accurate numbers and complaints from a range of customers raise concerns about how trustworthy this tax preparation service truly is. Although it might work for straightforward tax situations, it may not be worth your time if you have more complex taxes to file.
Weak
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H&R Block is one of the more costly tax preparation services in our review, offering flexible options for both filing for yourself and getting expert help from an H&R Block professional to prepare and file your return for you. With its longstanding reputation in the industry, you might expect it to be a popular choice. However, customers rated the company just 1.3 stars out of 5 due to issues with customer service and overcharging for the pro services. For this reason, (and in the interest of saving you stress during tax season), H&R Block falls near the bottom of the tax prep pack.
TaxAct is a tax preparation service that offers DIY filing and a free option if your tax filing is considered simple. While it promises refund and accuracy guarantees, many taxpayers report hidden fees, unreliable software, and difficulties with accessing the support promised in the guarantees. Across the board, TaxAct reviews show dissatisfaction from almost everyone who uses the service.
Continued from above...
Let's face it: tax season is nobody's favorite time of the year. Whether you're a W-2 employee or an independent contractor, taxes are a source of stress every spring. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Tax preparation services are there to ease the process (and are particularly helpful if you own your own business).
So, what do tax preparation services actually do? Most services offer planning to understand your tax situation and filing. You may receive preparation of your actual return, or advice on different aspects of your taxes like individual tax returns, estate tax planning, personal financial planning, deductions, property tax assessments, tax credit reviews, and more. The tax advisor (individual or website) can make taxes make sense and help you avoid many of the pitfalls.
A few years ago, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) estimated that there were around 1.2 million paid tax preparers available in the US. Tax preparation can be completed by a range of licensed agents, accountants, or businesses who can take the weight of tax season off your shoulders.
The most important thing about finding a tax preparation service is to make sure you work with one you trust. The three best professional credentials to look for include Enrolled Agents (or entities), who are licensed directly by the IRS and must pass an examination to demonstrate their understanding of federal tax planning, individual and business taxes, and representing you properly; Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who have studied finance at a university and passed charter exams and requirements for accounting; and, Attorneys who are licensed by state courts and have passed a bar exam in financial law.
Now, keep in mind, there will be fees for using most tax preparation services, but these will be minimal compared to the high fines and charges from the IRS if you make a mistake on your return. For even small errors on your taxes, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in fines. A one-time fee for a tax preparation service is no sweat in comparison. Most tax preparation and filing costs between $30 to $500 (though some really comprehensive services cost more), so you'll want to make sure you know what you need before you start.
If you're ready to simplify tax season, but don't know which service to choose, we've put together some factors that can help you find the best tax preparation service for your financial situation:
To help you find the best service to get your return filed this tax season, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top tax preparation services out there today. Take the stress out of tax season and hand the nitty-gritty details over to an expert (or enjoy a guided DIY approach that is as simple as a step-by-step guide). After that, you just need to sit back, relax, and wait for those lovely tax returns!
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