TaxAct Express Reviews

by Dmo Seattle

I filed my 2018 federal tax return using TaxAct’s web based version and was kicked offline a minimum of 7 times which resulted in a 6 hour preparation time on a relatively simple tax return. I was unable to print my 1040 from both website, even after following instructions for cookies online. I also couldn’t print from TaxActExpress . TaxAct has all my information going back 4-5 years and now I’m held hostage to staying with them.

by Jkirby96

After trying to import last year’s return you can’t update all missing personal info. Screen glitches and jumps around keeping you from selecting everything that needs updating. Taking a picture of your return doesn’t work. Picture comes out disfigured even if you try to take your own picture and upload it. Either way the picture isn’t legible even if the picture you take is legible. I have to keep closing TaxActExpress and reopening it to move along in my return. App didn’t check for deductions. Horrible. Ended up using another service.

by King Of App Purchases

This is the worst company for taxes. I filed and was charged. Now they send emails saying it’s not complete. Now I log in and it says I they have no account on file. They don’t answer emails. The customer service is garbage. I took screenshots from day one of my charges all the way to TaxActExpress saying no account. They say use another device. It’s your app. It’s your problem. Don’t create an app if it doesn’t work. I want a refund immediately. Taxes still not filed......

by Freefall2009

I only downloaded TaxActExpress so I could leave this review. I used my computer and the TaxAct web site to do my taxes. I chose the free version as my wife and I only have SSA and a little retirement income. As soon as I entered all info and started to print the returns, as I wanted to mail them in, not do electronic filing, TaxAct forced me to upgrade to the $54 version. It said that was Federal + State so I agreed and entered card info. They charged the $54. When I went to print the State, they charged the $54 again. This used to be a good site and I have used them for many years. Never again. I have already made a complaint to the IRS and will follow up on the Federal site as well. They have become the biggest ripoff tax company available. Please find someone else. Stay away from this one.

by Guessyoudonotwantfeedback

There is no easy click to see forms as you are entering info. No easy way to go back to verify that an item on the form is really right. Clunky getting back to fix something—-if an item is wrong, should have a click on the item in the form to link back to the specific questions used to create that item figure.
I have used this for years and I get really frustrated with the calculated percentages when negatives are involved.

by Mduane

Tried filling my taxes through TaxActExpress and it just wasn’t going to happen. I literally had to keep making different accounts because it constantly signs you out and then won’t let me back in. I thought I would give this a try but I’m definitely sticking with turbo tax or maybe I’ll try a different app but TaxActExpress is just not worth the time, taxes are stressful enough and using a app that isn’t user friendly and has a lot of issues like this does not help.

by Nogera

I knew my return was going to be simple this year so decided to try Tax Act to file a free return. Fairly nice program but I did wonder why they had me enter my bank info in one of the first steps. They said it was to on direct file IRS would use it for Direct deposit.
Entered all the info and started the review of the return and at that point they say Need toUpgrade to Deluxe version $35 because I had interest income. Well they ask for the infomation and provided the forms for Interest income and computed the tax with it.
It’s a bait and switch, you think it’s free then they hit you at the end with a charge if you want to do anything with the information.

by Frequentflyer50000

Sooner or later during your return they will find a way to charge you even for the simple free return. I have a little dividend income and they want $55 plus the state return fee and of course you won’t know this until you complete your return. What a waste of time. One job, no itemizing, a little dividend income and it costs over $75 to file with this program. I have used TaxAct since 2008, Not this year and never again!

by Desertdwllr

They made a mess of my taxes. The IRS says Tax Act redid my taxes, and Tax Act cannot be bothered to contact me.
Long story short, I somehow became a single person with a $1,100 deduction which is the typical deduction when you have a minor child who works, yet you claim them as a dependent. I’m a divorced 51 year old with a disabled 10 year old.
I’ve spent the entire weekend filling out forms, filing fraud and police reports, and putting freezes on my credit.
Good Job, Tax Act!! If you know what is good for you, you will run from Tax Act!

by Yyyy11224

It was a breeze last year. I filed for federal AND state completely free, no extra charges. However, this year, I am being charged way extra to file for state which wasn’t clear until I finished putting in my information. I called the “free xpert assistant” to ask why I was being charged and she told me I was going to have to pay no matter who I filed through EVEN if I filed it on paper myself, which obviously is a lie. I wish I wouldn't have made the mistake of e-filing my federal with them because i ended up looking to see if I could file only state through turbo tax and it was 100% free for both. At least I know where to go next year. I also was looking through TaxActExpress and came across a separate form I had to fill out to request that they didn’t sell my personal data so I don’t know what that’s about. But it is just way more complicated and shady than it was last year which is upsetting, but oh well, now I know for next year.

by Smck611

Had to restart the filing process more than three times to finish filing, as it would randomly sign me out of my account unprompted. Navigating through the pages to add a W2 was confusing. TaxActExpress looks clean but the UI could improve on navigating through your return and many general crashes. It wasn’t very easy to complete my return because it kept signing me out. Frustrating considering I spent over $100 on their products. Won’t be using TaxActExpress next year.

by Patient Beyond Belief

App kicked me off REPEATEDLY during my painstakingly long “tax return filing”.
Every time I got kicked off, TaxActExpress came back to MY home page and began asking questions like I just started a return. This game was on replay throughout the WHOLE process.
Finally, at the very end, I had already PAID (confirmed by bank), pushed SUBMIT, and app said “processing,” then it kicked me off twice.
I ended up on the Submit page THREE TIMES before Submit button really submitted my return.
Two stars instead of one because I used to like Tax Act. TaxActExpress ain’t it.

by Mcluvin42day

Last year wasn’t so hard filing. I didn’t do the snap a photo thing, I manually put it no problem. Also , the only thing is that I found it complicated to see if I had completed it and it was accepted after I paid taxact. A few days went by thinking I was done and taxact emailed me stating to submit it. Submitted it after a few minutes wondering around TaxActExpress on where to go to submit it to them. That was how it went for 2018. This year I filed and nothing but bugs. Blank screens and to keep going back. I’m hoping they will fix this next year. Best wishes.

by Chilindrina4

Tried TaxActExpress this year after a very long time and sad to say don't think it's very good for anything more complicated than a student working part time. I live in NY and work in NJ and the state taxes section couldn't be any more confusing. There's no specific guidance no matter what plan you choose so what's the point of paying more? They charge you for the paperwork involved that you are doing YOURSELF because their tech support are not allowed to advice you in anything just spit out what's already written and there's a charge for each state separately on top of the upgraded plan charge one is forced to take because of the forms involved. Disappointed. Ended up going to a tax agent, it's cheaper and less stressful.

by Yshzhgsshzba2332

Tax act has been awesome. However, for some reason this year TaxAct Express wouldn’t give me an easy way to import my taxes from last year. I had to use the desktop version to do so.

by $TiffRed83

I absolutely LUV this site! I’m not all that computer smart, but with this Website here it actually walks u through each and every step!! This is my second year using this and it’s TOTALLY FREE!!! Only thing u hAv to do is follow the questions and fill in the blanks, which all the answers is on ur W2’s so u fill in the blanks and it does the rest!!! Thanks so much Tax Act!!!

by Fifachamp7986

I downloaded TaxActExpress out of curiosity and ended up filing my taxes! From the upfront pricing to the easy navigation, TaxActExpress was all I needed. I did have to wait a long time when I called customer support, but the rep’s great service easily compensated for that wait. I felt like writing this review because TaxActExpress has the ability to use a password manager. I wish more apps added that feature.

by Okteacher54

My phone is my only device so when I was looking for apps to do my taxes, I downloaded them all. TaxAct was the easiest to get started with and also the cheapest option. I was able to file my taxes and get a huge refund so I’m a happy customer!

by Joeyz33

I’ll update this review after everything goes through but so far they seem to be able to get me $700 more on my return than turbo tax could. $10 more but well worth it!

by Aroepke

The new version of TaxAct Express has vastly improved and made starting my 2017 tax return super easy. It appears that all of the available products are now accessible in TaxActExpress (different from last year), and you can file your return no matter what forms you need (2016 version was limited). It also allows you to estimate your taxes, which is a nice feature to have at your fingertips. I’m not sure if I’ll complete my return on TaxActExpress , but it’s nice having the option to switch back and forth between it and the website product on my laptop.

by 6thTry2get Past This Screeb

field of camera view to photo driver’s license narrow, sideways, and difficult to aim ... why not have option to import previous information first? (return customer appreciation issue?)

after initial information gathering “saving” mode went on for quite some time (I left the room etc) and logged out ... next thing I see is this evaluation survey ... how do you think it’s going?

by Silverravensoap

Been using this program for years. Always sending you a lock in price email which I did. $76 to file because of 2 deferred accounts. Ridiculous, and now you have to use a credit card as opposed to taking it out of your refund.

by Elcee Allen

I look forward to using TaxAct again for my 2019 tax returns (still waiting for my 2019 W2 form to become available).
Thank you for a very easy to navigate, accurate, self guided and easy to understand format in filling out the tax form...

by Gerry Sorensen

We have used Tax Act since it became possible to file electronically. I believe this is the easiest, most accurate program on the market. They have never let me down.