TaxAct vs TurboTax

McCall Martin
McCall Martin | Senior Editor

Tax Defense Network and Community Tax both offer great tax preparation services. TurboTax can cost you anywhere from $0 to $89.99 in federal fees, and TaxAct ranges between $0 to $30.00 in federal fees.

While both are good options to have prepare your taxes, TurboTax automatically suggests deductions and guarantees a maximum refund.

TaxAct logo
#6 TaxAct
5.2 Overall Score
4.3
star star star star star_half
(82)
TurboTax logo
#1 TurboTax
7.6 Overall Score
4.6
star star star star star_half
(919)

Overview

TaxAct

Accreditations

None

Available on Staff

CPAs

Available Features

Federal Filing, State Filing

Time in Business

Undisclosed

TurboTax

None

CPAs

Federal Filing, State Filing

Undisclosed

Ratings

TaxAct

Overall Score
5.2 of 10
Review Score
4.3
star star star star star_half
Value for Money
4.1
star star star star star_border
Quality of Product or Service
4.3
star star star star star_half
Company Trustworthiness
4.3
star star star star star_half
Likely to Recommend
7.8 of 10

TurboTax

7.6 of 10
4.6
star star star star star_half
4.3
star star star star star_half
4.5
star star star star star_half
4.5
star star star star star_half
8.5 of 10

Reviews

TaxAct

Number of Reviews
82
Review Breakdown
4.3
star star star star star_half
1 star
4%
2 star
2%
3 star
10%
4 star
28%
5 star
56%

TurboTax

919
4.6
star star star star star_half
1 star
3%
2 star
2%
3 star
7%
4 star
25%
5 star
64%

Reviews for TaxAct

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Kandra Gunter

February 10th, 2024

DETAILS

I absolutely love the simplicity and ease of using this software/platform for doing my taxes! Everything is so clean, clear, and organized on the website...plus, it has saved me hundreds of dollars not having to go to a sneaky (bad past experience) accountant who charges upwards $400 to $500 to do what I'm able to do on TaxAct. This is the only software my family and I use every year for our taxes, and I'm so grateful to the creators.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Jane

September 19th, 2021

DETAILS

TaxAct made a mistake on my 2020 return. The refund they calculated on my 1040 Schedule A was adjusted by $548.17 from the IRS. I got a letter from the IRS saying my refund was adjusted and the possible errors. I don't understand the error and TaxAct is not helping. Their only response is to contact the IRS. Don't they have 100% accuracy guarantee? That's only if they take your phone call!

Reviews for TurboTax

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Stephanie Bloniarz

March 22nd, 2024

We have used Turbo Tax for many years, to prepare our families tax returns. It is easy to use, and appreciate how easy it is to have a question answered if we get stuck. It's reliable and affordable! Highly recommend! A+++

Helpful Critical Review

star star star_border star_border star_border

BBQ Boy!

April 5th, 2023

DETAILS

I've been using TurboTax for the last 9yrs and this will be my last. TurboTax has been charging for the preparation and monitoring. Last couple of years I've been audited when TurboTax said I was good and everything was clear. I paid for services that lied to me. When I needed help this year, I couldn't find the questions to it. I would had to pay more money for help then additional for self employment. One good thing TurboTax has is the import taxes from the previous year. But this year they imported some information that I wasn't aware of and didn't know how to complete.

The Final Word

As simple and affordable ways for people to file their federal and state returns, TaxAct and TurboTax are both strong solutions. 

TaxAct is easy to use, and it guarantees that you do not forget anything thanks to the mini-alert system. It has a long list of accuracy tools to ensure the best results, and it even offers up a maximum refund guarantee. 

Ultimately, we recommend TurboTax due to the deductions that it recommends automatically as well as the accuracy of its software, even if prices may be slightly higher. 

Top Choice

TurboTax Logo
TurboTax

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