TaxAct Professional is a robust professional tax software that comes at an affordable price. It offers different pricing packages based on your needs and several add-ons that allow you to customize the software. You can also access digital marketing capabilities and facilitate client returns. TaxAct Professional offers a 30-day money-back guarantee as well. Combined with the strong customer support options, it’s an excellent choice for high-volume tax preparers.
TaxAct Professional’s pay-per-return pricing starts at $150 plus $22.50 per return for individual returns, and $249 plus $29.95 per return for business returns. There are other pricing options available, including unlimited plans and bundles for low-volume tax firms. As of this writing, there is no TaxAct Professional software review on third-party sites.
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Pros
- Extensive support options
- Inexpensive price for unlimited returns
- Online data backup
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No tax research applications
- Pay-per-return plans require each state to be purchased separately
- Practice management features require an additional subscription to TaxDome
Pricing for 2023 Tax Returns |
|
|---|---|
Returns Supported | 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, and 990 |
Supported Bookkeeping Software | None |
Free Trial | Free evaluation copy but can’t file returns |
Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
Standout Features |
|
Customer Support | Telephone and email |
- High-volume tax preparers: We ranked TaxAct Professional as the best value for preparing unlimited returns in our evaluation of the best professional tax software.
- Firms that want a high level of support: TaxAct Professional’s support team is available via phone and email, and you’ll also have access to online resources.
- Firms that need practice management features: Users can subscribe to TaxDome starting at $300 per user, per year, and get customer relationship management (CRM), secure storage, and a client portal, among other firm management features.
TaxAct Professional Alternatives & Comparison
Unlimited Returns | Form 1040 | Forms 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S & 1065 | Form 5500 | Form 990 | Forms 706 & 709 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,745 for unlimited returns of any type | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
 | $2,095 for unlimited returns of any type | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
 | Quote upon request | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
 | Quote upon request | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | 709 only |
Best For | Learn More | |
|---|---|---|
 | Firms with a few 1040s to file: If your firm only needs to file 10 or fewer individual returns, then it is not the most cost-effective solution. Drake Tax only charges $355 (includes all states) for 10 individual returns, plus $34.99 for each additional return. | |
| Firms that file complex returns: Lacerte Tax can prepare the most complicated tax returns, such as consolidated returns and returns for oil and gas companies. | |
| QuickBooks Online Accountant users: ProConnect Tax is designed to serve the tax preparation function for firms centered on QuickBooks Online Accountant, and prices are based on a per-return basis with no annual fee. |
TaxAct Professional Pricing
The TaxAct Professional pricing structure consists of eight subscription levels, which differ in price based on whether you need one or multiple users and whether you’re filing individual returns or need business returns as well. While each package includes unlimited e-filing capabilities, fees that start at $22.50 per e-filed or printed return apply.
If you’re interested in TaxDome’s practice management features, you have the choice of TaxDome Light or TaxDome plans. Both plans can accommodate unlimited clients.
TaxDome Lite | TaxDome | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly Pricing | $33 (billed annually) | Starts at $50 per user |
Number of Users | 1 | Unlimited |
CRM With Custom Fields | ✓ | ✓ |
Document Sharing | ✓ | ✓ |
Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
E-signatures | ✓ | ✓ |
Client Portal | ✓ | ✓ |
Secure Chat & Client Tasks | ✓ | ✓ |
Print From All Software to TaxDome | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Onboarding Session | ✓ | ✓ |
Workflow Automation | ✕ | ✓ |
Time & Billing | ✕ | ✓ |
Proposals & Recurring Invoices | ✕ | ✓ |
Client Forms, Organizers & Engagement Letters | ✕ | ✓ |
Mobile App for Firm & Clients | ✕ | ✓ |
PDF Editor | ✕ | ✓ |
Firm Wiki (SOPs) | ✕ | ✓ |
Calendar Integrations | ✕ | ✓ |
White-labeled Website & Client Portal | ✕ | ✓ |
Unlimited Support & Advanced Training Sessions | ✕ | ✓ |
TaxAct Professional New Features in 2023
TaxAct Professional now offers client-facing tax documents in both English and Spanish. These documents include the following:
- Engagement letter
- New customer tax questionnaire
- Returning customer tax questionnaire
- Nonresident tax questionnaire
TaxAct Professional Features
While TaxAct Professional can handle the standard individual and business tax forms, you can’t file 5500 benefit plan returns. But it does offer a couple of guarantees—30-day money back, $100,000 accuracy, and maximum refund. It provides dedicated support via phone or email for all of its packages, and you also have access to practice management features as well as reports and tax tools.
Quality Guarantee
TaxAct Professional offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is valid up to the point that the IRS accepts the first e-file.
Dedicated Support
TaxAct Professional offers support for all of its packages, and you can reach the support team via phone or email. Its website also offers helpful resources, such as software and tax law news and a comprehensive knowledge base. There’s also a help page to troubleshoot issues.
Virtual Practice Capability
Thanks to a partnership with TaxDome, TaxAct Professional can provide access to more than 20 key practice management features for an additional subscription starting at $300 per year, per user. These features include automated workflows, unlimited and secure file storage, a client portal, and unlimited eSignatures. You’ll also have access to customizable CRM tools. You can visit TaxDome for more information on the platform.
Powerful Reports and Tools
TaxAct Professional gives you access to a variety of reports and tools that will assist both you and your clients. This includes TaxTutor guidance, which provides insight into deductions, complex law changes, tips, and strategies. Other tools are what-if scenario tax calculators, custom client reporting, and depreciation and disposal summaries.
Access to ProAdvance
All TaxAct Professional subscribers have access to ProAdvance, which is an online resource center that provides information and resources to enhance your practice.
TaxAct Professional Ease of Use & Customer Support
One of TaxAct Professional’s strongest points is its intuitive user interface and navigation, which makes it easy to set up and use. With the many alerts that are built into the platform and an excellent customer support system, it even helps new tax preparers.
TaxAct Professional is accessible via telephone and email and has several online resources. Standard telephone support hours are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, although those hours may be extended around key tax deadlines. It also provides access to useful articles, training videos, and a setup and troubleshooting guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It can be, as its Enterprise version lets you choose between having it as an on-site application or hosted for cloud access.
TaxAct Professional is a good fit for accounting firms wanting a high level of support and access to practice management features. It’s also ideal for high-volume tax preparers needing to file an unlimited number of returns.
No, TaxAct Professional doesn’t currently offer a mobile app.
Bottom Line
TaxAct Professional’s powerful tools and easy access to support give you the ability to provide your clients with tailored advice. It’s the low-price leader in professional tax software for high-volume preparers without sacrificing the quality of its features, especially practice management tools and powerful reports. It’s especially cost-effective if you need to file a large number of returns and want the reassurance of a money-back guarantee.
