TaxAct Professional Software Review: Features & Pricing

TaxAct Professional is a thorough and affordable professional tax software program. Combined with strong customer support options, it is an excellent choice for high-volume tax preparers of returns with medium to low complexity.

Its pay-per-return pricing starts at $150 per return plus a $25 filing fee for individual returns and $249 plus a $40 filing fee for business returns. Other pricing options are available, including unlimited plans and bundles for low-volume tax firms.

Varied pricing packages include add-ons for customization. If you don’t find a package that meets your needs, TaxAct Professional offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which I find to be a strong sign that a company stands behind its product.

Why You Can Trust Fit Small Business

Over a decade of tax experience has made me a small business superfan. You’ll find me on the sidelines yelling “DEFENSE” (of your deductions), and “SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT” (by April 15, please). You’ll also find me avidly ranking tax products with the zeal of a sports commentator. My goal is to help you tackle tough topics without dropping the ball.

My articles adhere to the Fit Small Business Editorial Policy—and this approach prioritizes accuracy, clarity, authority, objectivity, and accessibility. The result is practical content that is reliable, straightforward, and unbiased. Each written feature is designed to take the pain out of research so that you can focus on running your business.

• CPA
• MSTFP
• Tax pro since 2010
• Author for the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs

Liz Smith, CPA, MSTFP

Small Business Tax Expert at Fit Small Business

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

Visit TaxAct Professional

Deciding Factors

Pricing for 2024 Returns	Individual Returns 1040 Pay-per-return: $150 one-time fee plus $25 This additional cost is for e-filing or printing an individual tax return. per return plus $35 per state program 1040 Bundle (one user): Unlimited individual federal and state returns for $1,045 1040 Enterprise Bundle (multiple users): Unlimited individual federal and state returns for $1,245; includes cloud data storage Business Returns Business Pay-per-return: $249 one-time fee plus $40? per return plus $39 per state program Complete Bundle (one user): Unlimited individual and business federal and state returns for $1,895 Complete Enterprise Bundle (multiple users): Unlimited individual and business federal and state returns for $2,295; includes cloud data storage
Free Trial	2024 Professional Evaluation Edition provides free access for a single user but doesn’t allow printing or filing of returns
Returns Supported	1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, and 990
Supported Bookkeeping Software	QuickBooks, Sage Online, Wave, and Xero
Money-back Guarantee	30 days (except for returns accepted by the IRS)
Supported Bookkeeping Software	None
Standout Features	Dedicated support for all packages Multi-user licenses available Access to over 20 practice management features via TaxDome TaxTutor guidance and what-if scenario tax calculators
Customer Support	Telephone and email
Average User Reviews	Overall, users have a high opinion of TaxAct Professional for basic returns due to the simplicity of the interface and reasonable pricing.

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Use Cases

• 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 wanting 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 needing practice management features: Users can subscribe to TaxDome starting at $300 per user, per year, and get CRM, secure storage, and a client portal, among other firm management features.

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TaxAct Professional Alternatives & Comparison

• Comparison
• Use Cases

	Unlimited Returns	Form 1040	Forms 1041, 1120, 1120S & 1065	Form 5500	Form 990	Forms 706 & Form 709
	From $1,045 for 1040s and $1,895 for individual and business returns	✓	✓	✕	✕	✕
	From $2,195 (single user) for unlimited returns of any type	✓	✓	✕	✓	✓
	Visit Drake Tax
	$9,999	✓	✓	✕	✓	✓
	Visit CCH Axcess Tax
	Quote upon request	✓	✓	✕	✓	709 only
	Visit ProConnect Tax
	Quote upon request	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	Visit Lacerte Tax

	Best For	Learn More
	Firms with a few 1040s to file: If your firm needs to file only 10 or fewer individual returns, then TaxAct Professional may not be the most cost-effective solution. Alternatively, Drake Tax only charges $350 (includes all states) for 10 individual returns, plus $34.99 for each additional return.	Read our Drake Tax review
	Business owners with cloud-based needs: CCH Axcess Tax is optimal for firms with growing staff and clientele. Since it is set up specifically for cloud-based usage, it is more accessible to staff and clients alike.	Read our CCH Axcess Tax review
	QuickBooks Online Accountant users: ProConnect is a strong alternative to TaxAct Professional software and includes more robust integration capabilities. It is best for firms using QuickBooks Online Accountant. Prices are based on a per-return basis with no annual fee.	Read our ProConnect Tax Online review
	Firms filing complex returns: Lacerte Tax can prepare the most complicated tax returns, such as consolidated returns and returns for oil and gas companies. This is a unique feature, as TaxAct Professional and most other software competitors sometimes have difficulty in this area.	Read our Lacerte Tax review

TaxAct Professional Reviews From Users

hile TaxAct Professional may not be the optimal software for complex returns, those preparing simple, high-volume returns shared that TaxAct has all the forms they need. One reviewer referred to it as “starter software,” which further underscores the product’s simplicity. Users who reviewed it on Capterra (4.8 out of 5 based on around five reviews) scored it highly for ease of use, value, support, and product attributes.

What Reddit Users Are Saying

Reddit users noted that the software is effective but occasionally “slow and clumsy.” One helpful user recommended using TaxAct Professional’s pay-per-return pricing for basic returns but using software with more horsepower (like ProSeries or Lacerte) for more complex returns.

Others mentioned that they find customer support to be helpful. However, they also said that they find themselves calling for support more often than they would like for Form 990, amended returns, and gain and loss reporting on Schedule D.

TaxAct Professional Pricing

The TaxAct Professional pricing structure consists of multiple subscription levels based on the number of users and the types of returns being filed. In addition to the cost of the tax return, fees to e-file or print the return start at $25. TaxAct Professional offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

TaxAct Professional Features

While TaxAct Professional can handle standard individual and business tax forms, you’ll need to find another solution if you need to file 5500 benefit plan returns, such as Lacerte Tax, listed in my alternatives above. Here are a few of TaxAct Professional’s features.

Virtual Practice Capability

Thanks to a partnership with TaxDome (an additional subscription starting at $300 per year, per user), TaxAct Professional can provide access to over 20 key practice management features. These include automated workflows, unlimited and secure file storage, a client portal, and unlimited e-signatures. You’ll also have access to customizable CRM tools, making TaxDome one of our leading CRMs for accountants and bookkeepers.

If you’re interested in TaxDome’s practice management features, you can choose between TaxDome Light or TaxDome. Both tiers accommodate unlimited clients.

Powerful Reports and Tools

TaxAct Professional offers a variety of reports and tools that will assist both you and your clients. This support 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 UI and ease of navigation. New tax preparers can benefit from diagnostic alerts and an excellent customer support system, which is available for all software packages. The platform also provides access to useful articles, training videos, and a setup and troubleshooting guide.

TaxAct Professional is accessible via telephone and email and has several online resources. Standard telephone support hours are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. Extended hours may be available around key tax deadlines.

How I Evaluated TaxAct Professional

I evaluated TaxAct Professional tax preparation software using relevant benchmarks for small business tax preparers. Based on the needs of small business tax preparers, these benchmarks included an analysis of cost, ease of use, management of client documents, facilitation of data import, and accessibility of software support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is TaxAct Professional cloud-based?

Does TaxAct Professional have a mobile app?

When are recurring TaxAct Professional subscriptions billed?

Bottom Line

TaxAct Professional’s powerful tools and simple interface make it an ideal choice for professional tax prep software. Along with powerful reports and practice management tools, TaxAct Professional is a low-price leader for high-volume preparers, especially those wanting the reassurance of a money-back guarantee.