TaxSlayer Review 2024: Features & Alternatives

TaxSlayer was founded in 1965 as Rhodes-Murphy & Co, a small tax preparation company in Augusta, Georgia. Today, they’re a national tax preparation provider, assisting US tax filers to get their returns filed with the IRS every year.

Individuals, households, and businesses can all file through TaxSlayer, as long as they choose the correct package. There are multiple tax packages to suit different scenarios of complexity, including free tax return filing for the most basic federal and state returns. Access TaxSlayer’s software from anywhere in the world, either from your browser or their mobile app. Data is saved through your account, so you can access it across devices as you prepare to file. 

Affordability is a key highlight for TaxSlayer since they offer unrestricted filing for a better price than most competitors. The caveat is that the basic filing package doesn’t include access to professional tax support, so you’ll be mostly on your own for tax filing. Otherwise, there are premium packages that give you priority access to tax professionals for on-demand customer support.

Military filing is another highlight for TaxSlayer. All active-duty military members get access to free filing for their federal return and 1 free state return. This package covers all types of taxable income, deductions, and credits. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

TaxSlayer also powers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This is an IRS initiative that assists low-income tax filers to complete their tax return with help from program volunteers. 

Who Is TaxSlayer For? 

People who will find the most value in TaxSlayer’s service provider are those who need a low-cost company for filing more complex taxes. TaxSlayer’s packages are well suited for affordable tax preparer software, offering complex tax filing for much cheaper than other third-party software.

If you’re looking for a tax program that walks you through the process and guides your entries, TaxSlayer may not be the ideal option for you. They don’t offer a high level of guidance with the most basic tax filing plan, restricting that to pro packages.

An Overview of TaxSlayer 

Founded originally in 1965, TaxSlayer LLC is known as one of the most affordable online advanced tax software options in the US. It’s a great option for simple filing, military members, and anyone who wants to access affordable filing for self-employed income/deductions. 

TaxSlayer Advantages

As a tax software, TaxSlayer offers a few distinct advantages that make it a useful product to consider. Most of their features are aimed at delivering a low-cost option for simple tax filing by the IRS deadline date every year. Here are the main advantages TaxSlayer offers:

Cheaper Than Other Tax Preparers 

TaxSlayer has cheaper packages than most competitors, especially for more complex things like self-employed expenses income, and expenses. While their tax bundles don’t include some of the extras that other brands offer, they have good value for the price.

Provide Fast Services

The premium packages from TaxSlayer offer priority access to customer service, so you can get in touch with a tax professional on-demand for help completing your returns. Once you file your federal and state \return, you can expect to get it processed quickly, with no delays on the company’s part, so your refund will be available from the IRS as soon as possible. 

Outstanding User Experience

Customers routinely mention the smooth experience using TaxSlayer, as well as the great customer suppor they offer. However, the best customer service is only offered when you purchase one of the premium bundles for you or your business. Customer support is offered via e-mail, phone, and live chat. 

Supports All Major IRS Forms and Schedules

TaxSlayer’s affordable plans give you the ability to file all sorts of tax forms, including schedule A-E forms for different types of income. You don’t have to purchase the most expensive plan in order to file self-employed income or take advantage of deductions and tax credits.

Have Good Knowledgebase

TaxSlayer’s knowledge base is thorough, helping you understand tax laws that apply to you, including deductions and credits you’re eligible for and income filings you’re responsible for submitting. It’s part of their tax counseling service that helps you understand how to file in the best way, and can be a huge advantage to you or your business in the long run. 

More Contextual Assistance with Tax Documents 

While you’re filling out your forms, you can find information from the knowledge base that applies to whatever section you’re currently working on. These contextual links are great at providing you with the guidance you need when you actually need it. 

TaxSlayer Formation Packages

TaxSlayer has very competitively priced tax packages. Each upgraded tier adds extra services, including priority customer support, rather than increasing access to different types of tax forms. Most customers will be able to fulfill their needs with the classic bundle but may choose to upgrade for better customer service and year-round support.   

Taxslayer Quick Overview

4.5 stars

Best Overall Value

• Free filing for active military
• Affordable packages for complex taxes  
• Good for confident online tax filers 

Visit Website

Taxslayer Customer Reviews

I have never had a problem with them until now. I have been doing my taxes with them since 2006. No complaints whatsoever. Never been charged hidden fees or nothing like that.

Keila

I’ve used this program for nearly 10 years and this is the first time reviewing. It is a good enough program to get your taxes filed but it could use some improvement in the screening questions.

Mike

This was my first time using TaxSlayer. Easy to use, no surprises when time came to pay/file/send which is very different from my experience with the other online filing company. I was shocked today to check my bank account and saw that my refund was already processed, get this, 6 days after filing. I have never had such a rapid refund!! Recommend without reservation!

Miles M

I love the guided form selection. Made me aware of a few things that I would have missed. At the end, the program pointed out a couple of things that I needed to address before I e-file. What I didn’t like is having to go through the entire form to review a section.

Dave

Taxslayer Service Review

Out of all the tax services available, what makes TaxSlayer unique? As one of the cheaper options on the market, this company provides good value for your money. Here is a breakdown of some of the specific features they offer.

Is This Tax Service Right For You?

If you’re an experienced tax filer who doesn’t need a lot of help to get through your tax returns, TaxSlayer could be a great, affordable option for you. It’s also useful for active-duty military members, who get to file for free on both their federal and state taxes.

Unfortunately, TaxSlayer’s free tier is not as robust as some offered by competitors. While it works for people with very simple taxes, it can’t be used by anyone with more than $100,000 in income, dependents, stock sales income, or self-employed business income.

Cost Value

TaxSlayer’s Classic package is a good value for money. It allows you to file complex tax returns without any limitations. If this is what you’re looking for, it’s great value for the price.

If you need extra customer service and direction while filing your taxes, it may not be the best value. Priority services and access to online tax professionals come only with TaxSlayer Pro packages.

For higher levels of support, you can pay professional tax preparers to help you get your returns ready. TaxSlayer’s tax preparers have experience with different types of tax filings, so you can get assistance in any tax situation. 

Customer Service

Good customer service is a central part of what TaxSlayer offers. While there are some customers who aren’t satisfied, most people who use the company and need to contact TaxSlayer customer support are happy with their results.

The one quirk of TaxSlayer is that free filers and those who use the Classic package do not have access to tax professional support, only email support. Those who pay for the higher tiers of service get priority support, help from tax experts, and even ongoing support and reminders until the next year’s filing. The price difference is made up for by the extra customer service you get. 

Ease of Use

TaxSlayer has a simple interface that makes it easy to fill in your information, but it doesn’t help to guide you through the process and has limited options for uploading tax papers. Prior year tax forms can autofill into your state return to speed up the process. 

While you can import previous tax returns to autofill some information, you can’t import other types of documents or import information from images like many other companies can.

Instead of having to pay TaxSlayer’s tax preparation software out of pocket, you can opt to pay them directly out of your federal refund, as long as you choose the direct deposit payment option for your tax return. 

Included Features

You can expect the basic tax filing features from TaxSlayer, with a few extras for the TaxSlayer Pro filing packages. Everyone using the services can expect features like importing 1040 forms and W-2s, using the mobile app, and accessing the knowledge base.

They are lacking some features that are common with other tax software, such as a donation calculator and other deduction maximization calculators. While these missing features won’t be too bad for some individual taxpayers, it can be difficult for a small business, partners, a company, contract workers, or other self-employed people. 

Overall

Each tax software has its strengths and weaknesses. For TaxSlayer, the biggest benefit goes out to people with some tax familiarity who want to file at an affordable price. Their Classic package is one of the most affordable for what it offers, compared to top competitors in the market.

However, it’s not an ideal option for everyone. If you need some guidance to help you prepare your taxes by the IRS deadline date or if you want to file for free with anything more than basic W-2 income, this software may not work for you unless you’re willing to purchase the tax pro packages. 

2 Top TaxSlayer Service Alternatives

Turbo Tax

Owned by Intuit, TurboTax is one of the leading tax preparation software companies in the US. It’s highly recommended as a good overall option for most US households since its packages work well for individuals, families, and businesses taxpayers alike. They are known for their intuitive online interface. 

H&R Block

H&R Block is one of the most established tax software brands in the US, having been in operation since 1955 and having more than 10,000 offices around the country. They offer online tax preparation and e-filing with optional in-person support if you run into problems using the software on your own. 

Conclusion

If you’re looking for tax software with plenty of value for money, TaxSlayer could be a great choice for you. There are affordable packages for people to file their tax returns, especially if you’re filing a very basic return or you’re an active-duty military member. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)