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- PERSONAL FINANCE
- TAXES
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According to our research, TaxAct is the best tax filing app because of its low cost and robust suite of features in the free version. We reviewed 20 different tax apps to determine the best options available. Features and costs were big considerations in our ranking. We also looked at ease of use and real customer reviews.
Best Overall: TaxAct
(with TaxAct)
TaxAct
TaxAct is the best overall tax app because it offers reasonable prices and a robust free package. While it isn't technically an "app," the web interface is responsive and works well on desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
- Easily import last year’s tax data even if you used a different provider
Easily import last year’s tax data even if you used a different provider
- Most robust free option out of all providers
Most robust free option out of all providers
- Pay for tax filing with your refund
Pay for tax filing with your refund
- No expense tracking
No expense tracking
- State filing is extra, even for the free package
State filing is extra, even for the free package
- The user interface isn’t as seamless as other tax apps
The user interface isn’t as seamless as other tax apps
Founded in 1998 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, TaxAct provides tax prep software that makes it easy to e-file with its online web interface. While it isn't exactly and app, it's well-designed and performs like a phone or tablet app.
TaxAct stands behind its offering. If the software makes a calculation error on your filing, the company will reimburse you up to $100,000 in IRS penalties and interest. In addition, your filing is free if you receive a higher refund using a different product thanks to its Maximum Refund Guarantee.
Other benefits include importing last year's tax return information by uploading the PDF—even if you didn't use TaxAct. Plus, if you refer a friend, get a $20 Amazon gift card, and they get 20% off.
Do-it-yourself TaxAct Express packages include:
Best for Business Owners: QuickBooks Self-Employed
(with QuickBooks)
If you’re a business owner, it’s best to use a tax app specifically meant for your tax situation. QuickBooks Self-Employed is a tax app offering business expense tracking and tax filing. You can even make your quarterly estimated tax payments right through the app.
- Track business expenses and mileage on-the-go
Track business expenses and mileage on-the-go
- Authorize access for your accountant or tax advisor
Authorize access for your accountant or tax advisor
- Estimate what you owe the IRS and pay quarterly through the app
Estimate what you owe the IRS and pay quarterly through the app
- Easy to accidentally duplicate data between uploading and syncing transactions
Easy to accidentally duplicate data between uploading and syncing transactions
- Smaller banks and credit unions may not have syncing capability
Smaller banks and credit unions may not have syncing capability
- Doesn’t offer inventory tracking or payroll
Doesn’t offer inventory tracking or payroll
QuickBooks is a leader in accounting software, and its Self-Employed app integrates seamlessly with TurboTax. With this app, you can track both personal and business expenses, mileage, and you can even send and track invoices making it the best for business owners.
It has 4.7 stars in the App Store and 3.8 stars in the Google Play store, and you can also access the app using its web interface. Some reviewers complain about glitches using the app, while others enjoy how the app allows tracking of both personal and business expenses.
QuickBooks Self-Employed doesn’t offer inventory tracking, so business owners with larger operations may need QuickBooks Online instead of the self-employed version.
There are three QuickBooks Self-Employed packages available:
Best for Live Support: HandR Block Tax Prep and File
(with HandR Block)
HandR Block logo
HandR Block Tax Prep and File is the best tax app for live support because it offers Online Assist, where you can receive unlimited help from tax experts 24/7 during the tax season. You can even upload all your documents into the app and have a tax professional file your taxes for you.
- Starts at $55 to receive unlimited help from tax experts, enrolled agents, and CPAs 24/7 during the tax season
Starts at $55 to receive unlimited help from tax experts, enrolled agents, and CPAs 24/7 during the tax season
- Upload your documents and a tax professional will do your taxes for you using Tax Pro Go
Upload your documents and a tax professional will do your taxes for you using Tax Pro Go
- Digitally store receipts, returns, donations, and other tax documents
Digitally store receipts, returns, donations, and other tax documents
- One of the more expensive apps available because you must pay for Online Assist
One of the more expensive apps available because you must pay for Online Assist
- No expense tracking
No expense tracking
- Peace of Mind audit support only matters if HandR Block made the mistake
Peace of Mind audit support only matters if HandR Block made the mistake
HandR Block Tax Prep and File is a tax app by HandR Block, which is a tax preparation company founded in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri. Use the app to file your taxes yourself and receive assistance from tax experts starting at $55, or have a tax professional file your taxes for you starting at $85, making HandR Block Tax Prep and File our choice for best online support.
Find the app in the App Store (4.8 stars) and on Google Play (4.5 stars). Otherwise, use its web interface to file your taxes. Pay for your tax filing fees by using your tax refund for a $39 fee.
Guarantees include the following:
- No Surprise Guarantee: Receive 20% off next year’s tax filing if the app fails to provide upfront transparent pricing, transparent process, free audit assistance, and free mid-year check-in review.
- Maximum Refund Guarantee: If you have a higher refund through another app, your HandR Block filing is free.
- Audit Support Guarantee: Should you receive an audit notice from the IRS, HandR Block will let you know how to respond to the notice—for free. Or purchase Worry-Free Audit Support for help if you have an in-person audit.
- The 100% Accuracy Guarantee: HandR Block will reimburse up to $10,000 in penalties and interest in the event the software makes an error.
There are several packages to choose from:
Best for Fast Filing: TurboTax Tax Return App
(with TurboTax)
With TurboTax, you can receive up to $4,000 as a refund advance within three hours of IRS acceptance of your tax return. You can also auto-import and auto-fill data by taking a picture with your phone, so it’s perfect if you need to file fast.
- Take a photo of your W2, and the app inputs the info in the right forms
Take a photo of your W2, and the app inputs the info in the right forms
- Access up to $4,000 of your tax refund after one minute of IRS acceptance of your return using Refund Advance
Access up to $4,000 of your tax refund after one minute of IRS acceptance of your return using Refund Advance
- With an Employer Identification Number, the app may be able to auto-import your W2 information without taking a photo
With an Employer Identification Number, the app may be able to auto-import your W2 information without taking a photo
- More expensive than most tax apps if your taxes aren’t simple
More expensive than most tax apps if your taxes aren’t simple
- Constant upsell offers
Constant upsell offers
TurboTax is owned by Intuit, a leader in tax prep software. Using the TurboTax Tax Return App, you can file quickly thanks to the auto-fill and auto-import options in the app, making it the best for fast filing.
You can find the app on the Google Play store (4.6 stars) and App Store (4.8 stars). You can also use the web interface, but to auto-fill information from your W2, you’ll need to upload the image. Many reviewers complain about upsells and paying far more than advertised, so pay careful attention to the pricing to know which package your tax filing will require.
Even if you use the Free Edition of TurboTax (for simple tax returns only, not all taxpayers qualify), you’re entitled to the maximum refund guarantee. If you receive a larger refund with another app or a smaller tax burden, you will get your federal and state filing fee back. If you used the Free Edition, you’ll get $30 under the guarantee.
TurboTax offers an option to pay for your tax filing software using your tax refund, so you don’t pay anything up-front to file your taxes through them. However, there’s a $40 fee to do this. Otherwise, you can pay your filing fees with a credit card or checking account.
With Refund Advance, filers can access up to $4,000 of their refund as an advance as one minute after the IRS accepts the return. There are no loan fees, and it’s 0% APR (although you will need to open a checking account with CreditKarma).
There are three TurboTax packages available on both the mobile and web interface if you’re doing the taxes yourself:
Live tax preparation help is available at two levels: Live Assistance ($0-$169) and Full Service ($89-$389 and up).
Best for Ongoing Expense Tracking: YNAB
(with YNAB)
You Need a Budget
Traditionally thought of as a budgeting app, You Need a Budget (YNAB) is a great tool to track your ongoing expenses. When it’s time to file taxes, simply download a comma-separated values (CSV) file to share your spreadsheet of income and expenses with your tax preparer, or you can do it yourself.
- Offers video tutorials, articles, and free online courses
Offers video tutorials, articles, and free online courses
- Available via an app and through your browser
Available via an app and through your browser
- Can sync transactions with your bank and investment accounts
Can sync transactions with your bank and investment accounts
- Steep learning curve
Steep learning curve
- No built-in tax filing—you must export a CSV file into outside tax filing software
No built-in tax filing—you must export a CSV file into outside tax filing software
- Must manually upload transactions if your bank isn’t supported
Must manually upload transactions if your bank isn’t supported
The best way to prepare to file taxes is to be organized throughout the year. Spend a little time upfront to get your accounts set up on YNAB, and then maintain it every time you’re paid. Then, when you’re ready to file taxes, each category of income and expenses is labeled—making filing a breeze and your tax advisor happy to not have to wade through a shoebox full of receipts earning our spot for best expense reporting.
YNAB is available in both an app and web interface. Pay $14.99 per month or $99 per year, and try it out free for 34 days. If you’re a college student, it’s free for a year. At the end of your free year, YNAB offers a 10% discount on the annual plan.
On the App Store, it has 4.8 stars, and 4.6 stars on the Google Play store. Most reviews discuss the learning curve but praise its ability to help budget and track expenses. You can take a live class seven days a week to learn how to budget with the YNAB app or access any of its tutorials anytime.
The Bottom Line
While most tax apps don’t offer expense tracking, many make it easy to file your taxes right from your mobile phone. If you have a complex tax situation, you’ll need to pay for advanced packages. However, if you’re a simple filer, almost every tax app available offers a free option that can help you.
According to the IRS, the average tax refund in 2023 was $3,167. To ensure the biggest refund possible, it’s important to check for every tax deduction and credit available to you. Online and mobile tax apps make this easy.
We recommend TaxAct as the best tax app because it offers reasonable filing fees, a robust free package, and the ability to pay for your filing fees from your tax return. Plus, you can import last year’s tax data even if you used a different provider.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Tax Software Gets You The Biggest Refund?
Most tax software has a maximum refund guarantee, where your filing is free if your refund is higher using other software. However, to maximize your tax refund, take advantage of every possible deduction and tax credit offered by your software. Examples include the earned income credit (EIC), child tax credit, and home mortgage interest deduction (HMID).
What Happens After You File With a Tax App?
After filing your taxes using a tax app, the app electronically sends your return to the IRS. It takes the IRS anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to match your personal information with the return.
You can check the status of your return using the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool. Expect to receive your refund within 21 days provided there are no errors or issues. To receive your refund quicker, set up direct deposit. If you owe money, you have until the tax filing deadline to pay unless you file for an extension.
Do You Need a Mobile Tax App?
You do not need a mobile tax app to file your taxes. However, using a mobile app can help make filing your taxes easier. Many of these tax apps allow you to upload receipts and categorize expenses year-round, so the act of filing taxes doesn’t take as long during the tax season.
How Does a Mobile Tax App Work?
Some mobile tax apps help track your expenses, receipts, and mileage year-round, while most only offer the ability to file your taxes. Input or upload your W2 information, check for credits and deductions, and e-file your taxes right on your mobile phone.
How We Chose the Best Tax Apps
We looked at 20 of the best tax apps available and narrowed it down to the best six options based on several features and considerations. We considered features, costs, reviews, and ease of use. It was important to find providers that offered a free version for simple taxes but then could evolve with solutions for those who have more complex tax needs.