Thanks to TaxAct, there is actually a great way to file your federal taxes 100% free. Its a good deal for those with simplest of taxes. Keep in mind that they are able to make it free because the process is fully automated, so don't expect much support if you get stuck. Additionally, there are some charges involved for specific features, most notably a small fee to file state taxes.
Is TaxAct Right For You?
The simple answer is, register and try it for yourself. Its
absolutely free to register, so you can see for yourself if
it has enough free features for you. But we did do our homework as well...
Tax Preparation Web researched several tax filing options to select the best product to file your taxes safely, easily and save some money doing it. After reviewing many services and software products, we came down to two options, TaxBrain and TaxAct that we believe are best fit to do the job right.
Our overall top choice is TaxBrain. TaxBrain's site and navigation are extremely fast and easy. If you stumble on something and need help, their team will support you through phone, live web chat or email. If you're getting a tax refund and need the money as quick as 48 hours, TaxBrain is the only way to go for you. With TaxBrain you can get your money as quickly as 48 hours while TaxAct doesn't offer any expedited refund services.
On the other hand, TaxAct is a great service unless you need advanced features. While TaxAct does offer a limited number of advanced filing features, you will be charged for those. That said, we do recommend TaxAct as best value for filers with simple tax returns. See our full comparison chart for more details about many important features:
TaxBrain vs TaxAct
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Features |
TaxBrain | TaxAct |
| Files all Federal & State Forms |
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| Free to File With IRS |
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| Expedited Refunds in 48 Hours (optional) |
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| eFile |
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| Free Registration |
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| 100% Accuracy Guaranteed |
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| Email Support |
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| Phone Support |
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| Live Web Chat Support |
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| Free to Try |
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| Audit Defense Available (audit insurance) |
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| Long-Term Electronic Storage Available |
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| Bound Copies Available |
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