Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Monday, February 10th
Tax Slayer's slogan is a catchy "File Fearlessly”, and with such a fun name, it brings to mind the idea that you're about to be a knight in shining armor slaying the "dragon” that is your taxes. Kinda takes the edge off tax season, doesn't it? In business for over 50 years, TaxSlayer is a cloud-based DIY tax software that promises 100% accurate filings when you complete your tax preparation through this platform. With promises of total transparency and zero hidden fees, Tax Slayer stands out from its competitors.
Full range of services for all tax situations
Tax Slayer's services include all forms, calculations, and resources that are required by the IRS to file your federal and state taxes. There are five different filing tiers. The simple federal filing is free. The Classic service includes "all tax situations”, according to Tax Slayer's details. The other options include Premium which offers personalized tax assistance from a pro, and Self-Employed for those who need to file both personal and business income. No matter what tier you choose, you'll get access to help through Tax Slayer's customer service; even if you don't pay for the Premium tier, you'll just have to wait on hold. Premium allows you to skip lines or long phone waits and jump right in with a personalized tax expert whenever you have a question.
Sign up and pick your tier
Signing up with Tax Slayer is free no matter what tier you qualify for. All you need to do to start filling out forms and get your return estimate is to add your email and create a username and password. The process at Tax Slayer is broken into three simple steps. They'll help you choose the best tier for your tax situation; then, you'll fill out the general details of your taxpayer information (and previous returns). Finally, you'll get your return estimate and be ready to file.
Pricing from $0 to $52.95
The pricing breakdown is simple across the four tiers. The base tier is $0 for all simple tax situations. If you're not sure if your taxes qualify, there's a helpful link right on the listing to help you learn more about your situation. The next tier up, Classic, costs $22.95. When you add on help with a tax pro, the cost for Premium is $42.95. Finally, the Self-Employed tier is $52.95. Across the board, this is less costly than at most tax preparation sites. Even the top tier is around $30 less than most competitors.
100% accuracy guarantee
Tax Slayer offers a few promises to help you feel more secure. You'll get the fastest refund possible through your e-filing at Tax Slayer. Plus, you can work on your taxes on the go with Tax Slayer's mobile app. Finally, there are two guarantees: one that states you'll get the maximum refund when you file with Tax Slayer, and the second states that the process includes 100% accuracy on Tax Slayer's end. If there is an error Tax Slayer caused, you'll be reimbursed for any penalties.
One of the top-rated services in our review.
Tax Slayer is a top-rated site for tax preparation with a solid "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, it is widely used by taxpayers and has impressive praise for its program. Tax Slayer currently holds a 4.2-star average rating across over 20,000 individual reviews. Customers have glowing praise for the customer service, the user-friendliness of the program, the impressive updates year after year, and helpful prompts to help you complete your taxes correctly and faster than competitors. It's hard to find reviews that complain about Tax Slayer.
Slaying the competition
According to the feedback, Tax Slayer is the top service for tax preparation. It has competitive costs, high ratings, impressive customer service, and options for every kind of tax filing that you could imagine. With options that include DIY processes or getting assistance from a tax expert, you're covered no matter how much help you want with your taxes. For this reason, Tax Slayer earns our top spot and a full 5 stars in our review.
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!
Select any 2 Tax Preparation Services to compare them head to head