Our Tax Software Review Methodology
How RefundAtlas tests and rates tax filing software: our evaluation criteria, testing process, and transparency.
No Pay-to-Play
We never accept payment to change ratings.
Real Testing
Every product is personally evaluated by our team.
Always Updated
We refresh reviews when products change.
How We Review Tax Software
RefundAtlas tests every major tax product using five real tax scenarios:
- Simple W-2 return
- Itemized deductions
- Self-employment / 1099
- Investment income (capital gains)
- Rental property (Schedule E)
Scoring Framework
1. Accuracy (30%) — Refund calculations verified against IRS tables and cross-referenced with a licensed CPA.
2. Interview Quality (25%) — Question clarity, help content, and error detection.
3. Price vs. Features (25%) — Total cost per scenario including state filing fees.
4. Audit Support & Guarantees (10%) — Guarantee strength, accuracy terms, and audit support quality.
5. Data Import (10%) — W-2 import, brokerage 1099-B import, and prior-year return import.
Our Team
Our lead reviewer is a former IRS enrolled agent with 12 years of tax preparation experience. Reviews are updated annually.
Last updated: April 2026
Last updated April 11, 2026