TaxSlayer Review
Budget-conscious filers with moderately complex returns (investments, rental income) who want everything included at a low price, and active-duty military personnel who get free filing.
TaxSlayer is a veteran-owned tax software company with over 50 years of experience, known for offering exceptional value at the lowest price point among established providers. The standout feature of TaxSlayer is its Classic tier at $32.95, which includes every form and schedule the IRS offers. While competitors charge $80-$130 for investment income, rental property, and self-employment support, TaxSlayer Classic covers all of these situations at a fraction of the cost.
The software takes a straightforward approach to tax preparation, guiding you through an interview-style process that covers your income, deductions, and credits. The interface is clean and efficient, prioritizing speed over visual flair. Experienced filers who know their tax situation will appreciate how quickly they can move through the process without excessive hand-holding.
TaxSlayer has a particular strength in serving military families, offering free federal and state filing for active-duty military personnel. The military version includes all forms and schedules, handling complex military tax situations like combat zone exclusions, moving expenses, and multi-state filing.
The Premium tier adds priority support and access to tax professionals, while the Self-Employed tier provides specialized guidance for Schedule C filers. Both are priced well below comparable offerings from larger competitors, making TaxSlayer the go-to choice for filers who want professional-grade software without the premium price tag.
Pricing
Simply Free
- W-2 income
- Limited interest and dividend income
- Standard deduction only
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Free state return
- AGI must be under $100,000
Classic
- All tax situations and income types
- Itemized deductions
- All schedules and forms
- Investment income
- Rental income
- Retirement income
- Phone and email support
Premium
- Everything in Classic
- Priority phone and chat support
- Live chat with tax professionals
- Audit assistance
- Ask a Tax Pro feature (3 questions)
- IRS inquiry support
Self-Employed
- Everything in Premium
- Schedule C guidance
- Business expense categorization
- Quarterly estimated tax help
- Dedicated self-employment support
- 1099 income handling
Pros
- Extremely competitive pricing, with Classic covering all tax situations including investments and rental income for just $32.95
- Classic tier includes every form and schedule, unlike competitors that gate investment and rental income behind premium tiers
- Clean, fast interface that loads quickly and does not bog down with unnecessary animations or graphics
- Strong military-specific features and free filing for active-duty military personnel
- Long track record of reliability with over 50 years in the tax preparation industry
- Phone support included starting at the Classic tier without requiring a premium add-on
Cons
- User interface is functional but less intuitive than TurboTax or H&R Block, with weaker contextual guidance
- Limited import capabilities with fewer financial institution partnerships for automatic data import
- Simply Free tier has an AGI cap of $100,000 and is more restrictive than some competitors free offerings
- No in-person support option available
- Mobile experience is less polished than leading competitors
Features
| Feature | Included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal e-filing | ||
| State e-filing | Free with Simply Free; $39.95 for paid tiers | |
| W-2 photo import | ||
| Direct import from financial institutions | Limited partners available | |
| Itemized deductions (Schedule A) | Classic tier and above | |
| Investment income (Schedule D) | Included in Classic ($32.95) tier | |
| Self-employment income (Schedule C) | Included in Classic, specialized guidance in SE tier | |
| Cryptocurrency tax reporting | Classic tier and above | |
| Military-specific tax features | Free for active-duty military | |
| Live tax professional support | Premium and Self-Employed tiers | |
| Prior year data import | ||
| Mobile app filing |
Our Verdict
TaxSlayer offers the best value in tax software, especially with its Classic tier that includes all forms and schedules for just $32.95. It is the top pick for filers who want comprehensive coverage without being upsold at every turn, though those needing maximum guidance should look to TurboTax.
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