Taxes are complicated for many people to figure out on their own. If you don’t pay your taxes on purpose or don’t pay the right amount, you could be fined a lot of money or even go to jail.
Your taxable income is calculated by taking some of your total family income, such as your 401(k) contributions, etc.
You will need an expert who knows how to get the most tax exemptions so you can save as much money as possible. Plus, they will show you how to plan your taxes, considering things like your marriage status, the number of people who depend on you, and many other things that affect the net amount of tax you need to pay.
There is software out there that can help you do your taxes. You can use them for your taxes or the taxes of your clients. They help you figure out your taxes correctly and save you time.
The Best Tax Software
#1) H&R Block
Best for getting help filing taxes online.
The best free tax program is H&R Block, which lets you file federal and state taxes for free.
Online tax preparation, including reporting of income from stocks, bonds, and other investments, is also available by paid subscription.
Features:
- During tax season, you can get help from a tax pro through a live chat or a video.
- Find out about your tax returns in real time.
- You must take a picture of your W-2 and share it to get important tax information.
- 100% truth is guaranteed. If they make a mistake, they could have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
- Claim the costs of your small business.
Verdict: H&R Block is a free tax program that can help many people. People say that the free version is better than the free options that others give. The prices for paid plans are high.
Website: H&R
#2) Jackson Hewitt
Best for easy and cheap tax filing online.
Jackson Hewitt’s tax software is designed to streamline the tax filing process for businesses. You may get everything you need to submit your taxes fast and conveniently for a small fee.
During the filing process, you get step-by-step directions and live chat help. The app also has a built-in error checker to ensure you’re not making any big mistakes.
Features:
- Help with live chat
- Federal and state tax money helped
- Downloading W-2s and employment information is accessible.
- Automatic Checking for Errors
Verdict: If you utilize Jackson Hewitt’s tax preparation program, you may do your taxes on the go, from any device. In addition, the program’s use will cost you only $25 per month.
Price: $25
Website: Jackson Hewitt
#3) TurboTax
Best for tax tips that help you do your taxes.
TurboTax is the best tax program for people who do their taxes. Some excellent tools for filing taxes can even help you after you’ve filed if you want to check on your refund and e-file status or make changes to a tax return.
Features:
- You can do all your taxes yourself, get help from a professional, or give all your taxes to a professional.
- Tax estimators and tax tools.
- Find out how to get the most tax breaks.
- There are videos and books to help you figure out how it works.
- Simple to use.
- TurboTax is the best tax planning software but also the most expensive. This is because it has a lot of features. Even the gains and losses in cryptocurrency exchanges can be tracked.
Price:
The following packages are available for those who choose to handle their own taxes.
- Free edition: $0
- Deluxe: $60
- Premier: $90
- Self-employed: $120
Costs associated with hiring genuine tax advisors:
- Basic: $80
- Deluxe: $120
- Premier: $170
- Self-employed: $200
Website: TurboTax
#4) Drake Tax
Best for people who do taxes for other people for a living.
Drake Tax is professional tax software with everything you need to do your taxes. Professionals can also use it to figure out and file taxes for their clients.
Features:
- Taxes and returns can be worked out with just one click.
- If you need to, you can change the numbers from last year to reflect the current year.
- Drake Tax will take payments made by credit card or debit card.
- It helps you plan your tax deductions by showing how your marriage status, children, income, and other factors affect your taxes.
- Fill out your clients’ taxes and let them use eSign so you can easily file their taxes for them without having to do any writing.
Verdict: The best thing about Drake Tax is how much it costs. With the Power Bundle or the Unlimited plan, you can file as many tax returns as you want.
People say that the customer service is excellent. The only problem is that you can only use the program if you know about tax filing.
Website: Drake Tax
#5) TaxSlayer Pro
It is best for people who do their taxes.
TaxSlayer Pro is a tax preparation program that runs in the cloud. It has some helpful learning tools a functional mobile app, and you can file your taxes as often as you want.
Features:
- Find out how to become an income tax expert.
- Prepare and file electronic tax forms for individuals on several devices.
- Each plan’s pricing includes all state and local taxes and unlimited federal returns.
- A mobile app that lets you work whenever and wherever you want.
- Your clients can sign the papers, so they don’t have to come to the office for meetings.
- TaxSlayer Pro users say the software is easy to use and cheaper than other options. It can be beneficial for people who do taxes for a lot of people on their own.
Price:
Price plans are:
- Pro Premium: $1,495
- Pro Web: $1,395
- Pro Web + Corporate: $1,795
- Pro Classic: $1,195
Website: TaxSlayer Pro
#6) Intuit ProSeries Professional
It is best for more advanced tools that make filing taxes faster.
One of the best tax return programs is Intuit ProSeries Professional, full of advanced features that simplify filing taxes and take less time. They also have learning materials to help you learn how to use the program or file your taxes.
Features:
- Access 1,000 advanced tests to help your clients get the most out of their investments.
- A system that is easy to use and speeds up the process of doing your taxes.
- E-filing and e-signatures are already built in.
- It’s easy to connect to other apps.
- You can get help with your tax return if you need it.
- A shared return is easy to split.
Verdict: The tax preparation program Intuit ProSeries Professional is elementary to use. The prices are also reasonable.
Price:
Price plans are as follows:
- Essential 20: $499 per year
- Essential 50: $799 per year
- Basic Unlimited: $1,259 per year
- Pay Per Return: $369 per year
- 1040 Complete: $1,949 per year
Website: Intuit ProSeries Professional
#7) ATX Tax
Best for CPAs and small forms.
Wolters Kluwer, a well-known and trusted name, makes ATX Tax. It is software for filing tax returns that lets you find mistakes in e-filing, get help as you go, and do much more.
Features:
- You can look through a library of more than 6,000 tax forms.
- Connecting to other platforms is easy so you can input and export data as needed.
- E-signatures and better tools for managing assets.
- Pay-per-return for tax reports for businesses.
- The program is easy to use, costs a fair amount, and can be trusted. It’s an excellent choice for small businesses and CPAs.
Price:
Price plans are as follows:
- ATX 1040: $839
- ATX Max: $1,929
- ATX Total Tax Office: $2,869
- ATX Advantage: $4,699
Website: ATX Tax
#8) TaxAct Professional
Best if prices are fair.
TaxAct Professional is software for making tax returns that has been around for 20 years. This robust software lets you try it out for free, so you can try it out before you pay for it.
Features:
- There are several ways to import files.
- Some reports and tools can help you talk to your clients about tax planning.
- Data backup: You can view your clients’ data for seven years after the date they filed.
- If you only buy what you need, you can save more money.
- Electronic filing and electronic signatures.
- The results for the current and previous years are shown side by side.
Verdict: TaxAct Professional is tax software that is both powerful and cheap. You should only pay for what you need. Some tools, like checking on the status of your Return, need to be added to the software.
Price:
Price plans are:
- Professional Federal Editions: $150
- 1040 Bundle: $700
- Complete Bundle: $1250
- Federal Enterprise Editions: $220 each
Website: TaxAct Professional
#9) Credit Karma Tax
The best free tax program is Credit Karma Tax, which lets you file your state and federal taxes for free. This program can be a good choice for small taxpayers who don’t need help from a tax professional.
Features:
- Maximize your federal tax refund by following these simple steps. If your return is higher thanks to Credit Karma Tax, you will be reimbursed the difference.
- Guarantees that you will pay up to $1,000 if there is a mistake in calculating your taxes.
- Both state and federal tax returns are free to file.
- You can upload your W-2 information by taking a picture with the camera on your phone.
Verdict: The best things about Credit Karma Tax are that it costs nothing and is easy to use. But there are some things the program needs to have. You can’t get help from an expert with your taxes, and customer service could be better.
Price: Free
Website: Credit Karma Tax
#10) FreeTaxUSA
The best place to file your federal taxes for free.
FreeTaxUSA was started in the United States of America in the year 2001. It’s popular and easy to use, and you can file your federal taxes for free with it.
Features:
- It’s free to file your federal tax return.
- Compare this year’s results to those from the year before.
- File tax returns as a couple.
- With this program, you can learn how to file tax returns.
- Look at your tax situation so you can plan for your taxes in the future.
Verdict: FreeTaxUSA is a program that people who want to save money should use. But it only has some tools that could save you a lot of time, like uploading pictures of documents or getting help from an expert.
Price:
- Federal returns: Free
- State return: $14.99
- Deluxe: $6.99
- Unlimited Amended Returns: $14.99
- Mailed Printed Return: $7.99
- Professionally Bound Tax Return: $14.99
Website: FreeTaxUSA
Conclusion
Tax preparation is a breeze for some, but only a select few. This is why there is software available to help you prepare your taxes and file them quickly and easily.
Based on our research, TurboTax is the best program for doing your taxes. It can handle all your tax problems and even show you how to get the most tax breaks.