tax software - chunhualiao/public-docs GitHub Wiki

Tax Software Custom Rating (Stars) Justification
Intuit TurboTax 4.5 Praised for excellent user experience, comprehensive features, and strong support, making it a top-tier option despite its higher cost.
H&R Block 4.0 Offers a user-friendly interface, extensive help options including tax professionals, and a trusted brand reputation, though some users report occasional interface quirks.
FreeTaxUSA 4.0 Provides outstanding value with free federal filing and low-cost state filing, coupled with ease of use and support for most major forms, making it a strong choice for budget-conscious filers.
TaxAct 3.5 Strikes a good balance between features and affordability, offering a user-friendly platform, though help for complex situations, particularly for the self-employed, could be improved.
TaxSlayer 3.0 An affordable option with comprehensive support for complex returns and self-employment, but user experience and customer support receive mixed reviews, and there are reports of unexpected fees.
Cash App Taxes 4.0 An exceptional free option for both federal and state filing, boasting a user-friendly interface and support for most major forms, though it has limitations in support depth and form availability.
Jackson Hewitt Online 2.5 Offers a low price and comprehensive topic coverage, but suffers from significant drawbacks in user experience, a weak help system, and issues with basic functionalities like saving progress and importing prior-year data.
Liberty Tax 2.0 Supports major forms and offers mobile access, but is considered expensive for its value, with a poor user experience, limited support content, and the inability to import common tax forms, making it less competitive overall.
Tax Software Estimated Number of Tax Filings Per Year Data Source (Year) Notes
Intuit TurboTax >40 million (2019) Likely higher in 2024.
H&R Block 20 million+ (2024)
FreeTaxUSA Millions (Cumulative >71 million) Cumulative figure; market share suggests significant annual volume.
TaxAct Several million (5.7 million in 2017) (2017) Likely maintained or grown since.
TaxSlayer >10 million (2022)
Cash App Taxes Millions (Cumulative >12 million) Cumulative figure; rapid growth expected.
Jackson Hewitt Online ~2 million (Total) Total for all channels, online portion likely smaller.
Liberty Tax 1–2 million (Total) Total for all channels, online DIY portion likely smaller.

FreeTaxUSA has a strong reputation for filing tax returns, particularly for those seeking an affordable option. The service is known for its free federal tax filing and low-cost state tax filing, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious individuals[1][2].

Key aspects of FreeTaxUSA's reputation include:

  1. Affordability: FreeTaxUSA offers free federal e-filing and charges only $14.99 for state returns, making it significantly cheaper than many competitors[2][7].

  2. Comprehensive coverage: The service supports all major IRS forms and schedules, including complex topics like self-employment, home deductions, investment sales, and rental income[2].

  3. User satisfaction: Many users report positive experiences, praising the software's ease of use, thoroughness, and time-saving qualities[4][5][8].

  4. Professional recognition: FreeTaxUSA has received accolades from reputable sources, including an Editors' Choice award from PCMag for affordable tax preparation[2].

  5. Accuracy and maximization: The service includes features like a Refund Maximizer and accuracy checks to ensure users get the maximum refund possible[2][6].

  6. Security: As an authorized IRS e-file provider, FreeTaxUSA meets or exceeds IRS security requirements and uses encryption to protect sensitive information[2].

While FreeTaxUSA may not offer as many advanced features or support options as some premium services, it is generally regarded as an excellent choice for those comfortable with a DIY approach to tax filing, especially for individuals with straightforward to moderately complex tax situations[2][6].

Citations: [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ojUm3Wr1Nk [2] https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/freetaxusa [3] https://www.reddit.com/r/tax/comments/1aeding/is_freetaxusa_still_the_bestreliable_place_to_get/ [4] https://www.freetaxusa.com/reviews [5] https://www.freetaxusa.com/reviews?bvstate=pg%3A3%2Fct%3Ar [6] https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/taxes/freetaxusa-review/ [7] https://www.cnbc.com/select/freetaxusa-review/ [8] https://www.freetaxusa.com/reviews?bvstate=pg%3A13%2Fct%3Ar

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