Both TaxSlayer Self-Employed and TaxAct Premium+ are strong contenders for self-employed individuals. TaxSlayer offers a more budget-friendly option, while TaxAct provides a more intuitive user experience and specifies a higher coverage amount for its accuracy guarantee. The choice depends on whether cost savings or user-friendliness is prioritized.
| Attribute | TaxSlayer Self-Employed | TaxAct Premium+ |
|---|---|---|
| Name | TaxSlayer Self-Employed | TaxAct Premium+ |
| Price | $72.95 federal, $47.95 per state | $109.99 for federal return (Self-Employed). State filing costs an additional $54 to $64.99 per state. Free plan state filing is $39.99, and for paid tiers, it is $59.99. |
| Self-Employment Tax Support | Supports necessary forms, credits, and deductions for self-employed income earners. | Includes a Self-Employment Tax Calculator, tools for reporting 1099 income, and managing business deductions. |
| Schedule C Support | Supports reporting income or loss from a business as a sole proprietor using Schedule C; guides you through entering business income and expenses to maximize deductions. | Automatically creates a Schedule C and provides guidance on entering sole proprietorship information. |
| Deduction Finders and Calculators | Includes tools to help identify potential tax savings. | Includes a Deduction Maximizer tool, a tax calculator, and a self-employment calculator. |
| Audit Support | IRS audit assistance is included for up to three years after the IRS accepts your return. Support team will help you prepare for an IRS audit, review correspondence from the IRS, explain your rights, and help you prepare a response. | Partners with ProtectionPlus to offer audit assistance for three full years, covering both Federal and State audits. Audit Defense is included in the Self-Employed bundle. |
| Accuracy Guarantee | Guarantees the accuracy of its calculations and will reimburse you for federal or state penalties and interest charges resulting from calculation errors in the software. | Offers a 100% Accuracy Guarantee, promising to cover any difference in your tax liability, up to $100,000, if an error results from using their system. Reimburses software fees and pays up to $100,000 to cover documented audit-related costs. |
| Maximum Refund Guarantee | If you get a larger refund or smaller tax due amount using another tax preparation software, TaxSlayer will refund the purchase price you paid to them. To claim this, you must submit a written claim within 60 days of your TaxSlayer filing date and no later than June 15, 2025. | Guarantees you'll get your maximum tax refund. If you find a larger refund using a different provider with the same information, TaxAct will refund the cost of your software. |
| Import Capabilities | You can import your W-2s and 1099s, and the software will autofill your income and wages. TaxSlayer supports importing data from previous tax returns and some information from PDF tax returns. | Allows you to upload a copy of your previous year's tax return and can import previous tax returns from platforms like TurboTax. |
| Customer Support Options | Provides unlimited phone, email, and live chat support. Phone and email support are available year-round for all package options. | Offers various Xpert Assist options for live help from tax experts, including chat and phone support. Provides phone calls and related support regarding federal e-file status changes. |
| Mobile App Availability | All options are compatible with different devices, making it easy to file on your laptop or phone. | Not explicitly mentioned |
| User Interface Intuitiveness | Not available | Features an intuitive interface that guides users through the tax preparation process step by step. Facilitates a simple, question-based data input method. |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |