The Best Tax Software In 2024: Which Is The Best?

Over time, we have seen a rise in the development of software for the filing of taxes. These programs have made e-filing a viable method for tax filers to efficiently and accurately file tax returns as an alternative to manual filing. However, with digitalization comes relevancy and sustainability, therefore tax software companies have to ensure programs remain efficient.

Read more: LLC Tax Rates.

Top 5 Best Tax Software In 2024

An Overview of Tax Software

Gone are the days of visiting physical institutions to make requests, complete tasks, and document. Imagine walking into a bank to request a statement of account when it could be obtained online – unnecessary right? So is walking into financial institutions to file taxes in 2022.

Taxes are frustrating, so the filing process doesn’t also have to, hence the creation of Tax software; to assist taxpayers in the tax preparation process, complying with tax regulations, and detecting deductions and credits while compiling tax returns.

Tax preparation software can be accessed online through a web browser, downloaded on the computer, or as an app for your smartphone. The relevant financial information, including tax forms, are entered into the programs to e-file your federal and state tax return. Once the information contained in the documents is entered, the program will automatically determine your tax liability or anticipated tax refund amount.

Top 5 Best Tax Software For Your Business April 2024

Turbo Tax

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TurboTax is the best overall tax software. It provides an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to complete your taxes with various options; a free version for simple tax situations, a Deluxe version for $59 + $49 per state, a Premiere version for $89 and Self Employed edition (self-employment income and freelance income) for $119. Each with an upgrade for online tax support and full-service tax preparation.

• Fast filing.
• Guidance for importing tax forms.
• Store tax returns for up to seven years

• Expensive.

The program is suitable for a variety of tax situations, has both mobile and desktop variations and has received good feedback on value for money.

Tax Slayer

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TaxSlayer is online tax software for people who may not require assistance and want to file returns independently and quickly. The company bases its fees on the level of assistance desired and because it is an online tax program, you can log in from anywhere with other devices.

• Supports all major IRS forms and schedules.
• Consistent software upgrades.
• Maintains organization throughout the year.

• Cannot claim dependents with the free version.
• Less intuitive user interface.
• No full-service offer.

This online tax filing program has various options for filing; simply free, Classic $29.95 + $39.95, premium $49.95 + $39.95, and Self-Employed $59.95 + $39.95, for federal taxes and state taxes respectively. However, free professional tax assistance is only available for Premium and Self-Employed versions. This program is suitable for self-employed filers.

Cash App Taxes

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Cash App Taxes previously Credit Karma Tax, is the best free tax software. It provides free tax filing services: free federal filing and one state tax filing, hence there is no pressure to buy pricey add-on features.

• Totally free.
• Free audit defense.
• Offers a Maximum Refund Guarantee.

• No expert help.
• Not all forms are available.
• Signing into the Cash App is required

The free Cash App Taxes supports most IRS forms and schedules for federal and state returns. Its programs have also received positive user experience feedback. However, information is entered manually and there are no options for multiple state returns, foreign income, and married filing.

 H&R Block

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H&R Block has a well-designed, interview-style approach that helps consumers avoid potential mistakes. Forms are easily uploaded and there are physical offices consisting of tax professionals who provide assistance when requested for. The free version does not offer live tax support or phone support from a tax expert.

• Access tax pros 24/7 during the tax season.
• Save receipts, returns, donations, and other tax paperwork.
• Comprehensive free version compared to other counterparts

• Poor website user interface.
• For beginners, video guidance is not entirely sufficient.

H&R Block has various options; a free edition, Deluxe $49.99 + $44.99, Premium $69.99 + $44.99, and Self-Employed $109.99 + $44.99 for federal tax returns and state returns respectively. Every H&R Block option also has a choice for online assistance. For investors or rental property owners (Schedules D and E, and K-1s).

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt offers a simple online filing process for a cheap fee. Multiple state returns can be filed at no additional costs whilst other programs only allow you to file one state return for free. They also provide competitively priced full-service expert solutions if you require a tax pro to prepare your return.

• Offers an online DIY service for a flat rate of $25. 
• Unlimited state returns.
• Tax return storage for up to 3 years.

• No mobile app
• No audit support.
• No refund advance loan.

The lack of a $0 plan and capabilities for simple data entry are the biggest limitations.

How Does Tax Software Work?

Tax programs automate the tax filing process and make paying taxes easier without having to visit a financial institution. It focuses on calculating, tracking, and preparing taxes in a step-by-step format that provides a tax filer with an understanding of tax codes. It does this either by interacting with its users through an interview-based interface or a form-based interface.

• An interview-based interface is more prevalent and usually more simple to use. It involves using a question-and-answer structure to streamline the filing process and inputting the right information in the right places.

• A form-based interface imitates the design of several tax documents and other forms. It requires inputting the proper data from the respective boxes on tax records.

How To Choose The Best Online Tax Software Provider? 

There are many software options available for taxpayers to choose from. The best, therefore, depends on priorities, preference, and targeted use. The following steps should be taken in order to ascertain the best tax software for you:

Consider your tax needs.

Knowing your tax situation makes options easier to detect. Programs have different features and abilities, alongside versions. Free versions are for simple returns which include W-2 income, limited interest, dividend income, unemployment income, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, and student loan interest deduction but may exclude itemized deductions, rental income, retirement income, investment income, business expenses claims, and business income which are mostly available for complex tax returns in paid versions.

Research available options.

This helps to discover available software and further streamline your options. Evaluate pricing, customer support, filing, and disbursement options. Also, consider user experience and interaction with the software and the availability of mobile or desktop apps.

Read reviews.

Reviews are a good way to know more about software, they are the cover you can judge a book by.

Choose tax software.

Selecting tax software is easier done after following the foregoing steps. It is advised to start with a free version to ensure a perfect match. Most allow for easy transfer of filing and forms to other tax software providers, so do not be afraid to test the waters.

Why Should You Use Tax Software? 

Not sold on using Tax software? Well, aside from the very obvious reason for its use – to save time and maximize productivity, there are a number of benefits to making your mouth water:

Ease of Use

Tax software programs are simply easy to use, a majority of them guide taxpayers in filing tax returns through a step-by-step, question-and-answer process, which enables it to detect all the tax deductions and credits a taxpayer is eligible for. Therefore, you do not need to be a tax expert, filing taxes is made easy.

Costs and Fees

Tax programs are a great option because they are more affordable than the cost of hiring a tax professional. Using tax software is faster, more accurate, and provides more guidance in filing returns for little to no fee, thereby helping save money. In the United States, the IRS’s no-cost tool ‘Free File’ was available to individuals with adjusted gross income (AGI) of $73,000 or less for the 2021 tax year.

Most tax preparation software charges a price for your federal return and an additional fee for each state return; however, there is no fee for each individual form, which would ordinarily drive up the cost of hiring human tax preparers.

Free Filing Option

The cost of tax programs varies depending on income and the complexity of the tax situation. The implication is that, if you have a simple tax return and a few deductions, you would be able to file your taxes online completely free, using the various available free version tax programs.

Customer Service Options

The option to receive assistance, tax advice, and customer support when required is available on most tax software. This option can either be free or paid for. For the majority of software, add-ons can be purchased, to enable a tax professional/ tax preparer to review returns and assist in filing. The add-ons typically cost between $30 and $150.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still manually filing your taxes in 2022, it’s time to go digital. If utilizing it was challenging in the past, it would be simpler now because software is constantly evolving. The use of tax programs is an easier, quicker, inexpensive, and more comprehensible approach to filing your taxes.

They are a fantastic advantage for both organizations and individuals, particularly in a digitalized world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)