Is TaxSlayer better than TurboTax?
TurboTax is the market leader in tax preparation but comes with a premium price. TaxSlayer is a smaller tax prep service that offers a similar product at a lower cost. TurboTax is best for those who need more help, while TaxSlayer is great for those who are familiar with taxes.
TurboTax is faster, easier, and offers better guidance. TaxSlayer charged me half as much as TurboTax, and it worked fine. I prefer TurboTax because it teaches me more about taxes, but TaxSlayer was good enough for my tax-filing needs this year.
100% accuracy guaranteed. TaxSlayer guarantees the accuracy of all calculations made using our software, or we will reimburse you any federal or state penalties and interest charges, subject to the terms and conditions below.
Yes, TaxSlayer is an IRS-approved tax filing software. Once you submit your tax return with TaxSlayer, your forms are sent electronically to the IRS for processing. How reliable is TaxSlayer? TaxSlayer offers several guarantees to protect you, including a maximum refund guarantee and a 100% accuracy guarantee.
You might choose H&R Block if you want a premium experience for a lower price. H&R Block's DIY filing options are less expensive than TurboTax's, and the company edged out TurboTax in our overall ratings.
TaxSlayer's human tax help
The tax pro contacts them within one business day via phone or email. TaxSlayer's tax pros are either IRS enrolled agents or IRS-certified. Some tax software competitors also employ certified public accountants.
Standout features: TurboTax guarantees a maximum refund, 100% accuracy and audit support for your tax return. The software allows you to easily upload tax documents, and you can opt to file with the TurboTax app. Additionally, TurboTax offers tax refund advances.
If you have more complex needs, you may find TurboTax makes them slightly easier to navigate to a correct return. But overall, there isn't a big difference between the two when it comes to results.
TaxSlayer is less expensive, but that's largely because it offers fewer features than TurboTax. You basically pay to get access to the tax forms you need. There are relatively few other extras, like calculators and expense trackers. TurboTax also has more educational content for filers.
TaxSlayer is the right choice for you if you want a solid interface and don't want to pay top dollar on TurboTax or H&R Block. Taxpayers claiming a variety of deductions and credits will be drawn to TaxSlayer's Classic tier.
Is it safe to file taxes with TaxSlayer?
TaxSlayer is designed for all tax situations and has all the tools and support you need to file confidently with 100% accuracy guaranteed. You can choose the guided filing option to walk through your return question by question.
Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Best For |
---|---|---|
H&R Block | 4.9 | Best Free Tax Software (Tie) |
Jackson Hewitt Online | 5.0 | Best Tax Software for Value |
TurboTax Deluxe | 4.8 | Best Tax Software for Ease of Use |
TaxSlayer Self-Employed | 4.0 | Best Tax Software for the Self-Employed |
- Best overall alternative: H&R Block.
- Best for sole proprietors: TaxAct.
- Most affordable option: FreeTaxUSA.
- Best for multi-state tax filing: TaxSlayer.
- Best for 1099 contractors: Cash App Taxes.
- Best standalone full-service tax management: Xendoo.
TurboTax cons
Costs may be higher compared to other tax software options, most notably for the versions that cover specialty tax needs such as rental properties or self-employment. Some users may find that the level of automation leads to less direct interaction with a tax professional.
Best overall paid tax software package: TurboTax
Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible. TurboTax Free Edition supports Form 1040 and limited tax credits only.
TaxSlayer has a free tax filing option called TaxSlayer Simply Free. You can file with Simply Free if you meet these basic criteria: Your taxable income is less than $100,000. You do not claim any dependents.
Once the IRS accepts your return, it can take up to 21 days for your refund to arrive. TaxSlayer timestamps your return and sends it to the IRS electronically. You'll receive an email confirmation once your return is accepted.
TaxAct and TaxSlayer both provide helpful tools, such as an accuracy guarantee, various levels of audit support, and tax calculators. However, TaxAct has a more comprehensive toolset than TaxSlayer, with the addition of a deduction maximizer, a maximum refund guarantee, and the ability to import data.
No tax software provider can guarantee you the best refund. Your tax refund is based on your income, deductions, credits, and the amount of tax you paid in for the year. If you input your return information accurately, you should receive the same refund no matter which software you use.
By placing a “0” on line 5, you are indicating that you want the most amount of tax taken out of your pay each pay period. If you wish to claim 1 for yourself instead, then less tax is taken out of your pay each pay period. 2.
Does TurboTax give you a bigger refund?
TurboTax is one of the more expensive tax return services, but it provides some guarantees that may make it worthwhile. For example, the company guarantees you won't get a bigger refund anywhere else.
We charge a non-refundable fee for the use of the program to prepare your tax return documents. The non-refundable fee will be charged regardless of the acceptance or rejection of your return to the IRS. Only your initial transmission is charged.
We may share some information about your website experience that is not sensitive or financial in nature with Third Parties. We do not sell information that directly identifies you or that you submit to us when you use our tax preparation services. To opt out of sharing information with Third Parties click here.
If you qualify, you can file your federal return for free online using TaxSlayer Simply Free. It's fast and easy, and you'll be guided through every step of the preparation process.
Company | Cost | Free Self Filing Option |
---|---|---|
H&R Block Best Overall | $89 and up | Yes |
Jackson Hewitt Best for Ease of Use | Variable | No |
TurboTax Live Best Online Experience | $119 and up | Yes |
EY TaxChat Best for Self-Employed | $199 | No |
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