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Compare TaxAct vs. TurboTax by Intuit Tax Preparation Software

What’s the difference between TaxAct Tax Software and TurboTax by Intuit Tax Software? See how our editors compare the two companies below.
Last Updated: April 09, 2024
TaxAct Tax Software
4.6 / 5 - Excellent
#4 in Tax Preparation Software
TurboTax by Intuit
4.7 / 5 - Excellent
#1 in Tax Preparation Software
vs

Key Facts

Get 20% off your federal filing with TaxAct!

  • Maximize deductions for donations
  • Free tax help and audit support
  • $100,000 accuracy guarantee
  • Uses Secure Sockets Layer protocol and is Payment Card Industry-compliant, keeping your data secure

Same-day filing service available

  • Match with local tax experts who can do your taxes, start-to-finish
  • Pay only when TurboTax is ready to file with the IRS
  • 100% accurate calculations, 100% lifetime audit support
  • Every return filed securely with IRS e-file

ConsumersAdvocate.org Ratings

4.6 / 5 - Average
4.5/5
Plan Options & Pricing
5.0/5
Maximum Refund and Accuracy Guarantee
4.8/5
Service Features and Ease of Use
4.0/5
Customer Support and Guidance
4.7 / 5 - Average
5.0/5
Plan Options & Pricing
4.5/5
Maximum Refund and Accuracy Guarantee
5.0/5
Service Features and Ease of Use
4.0/5
Customer Support and Guidance

Customer Reviews

 (9)
3.2 / 10 - Poor
11%
5 stars
0%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
22%
2 stars
67%
1 stars
 (27)
3.2 / 10 - Poor
4%
5 stars
0%
4 stars
11%
3 stars
30%
2 stars
48%
1 stars

Final Verdict

TurboTax by Intuit Tax Software and TaxAct Tax Software are very close in quality and have the same overall rating. That said, TurboTax by Intuit scores better than TaxAct across: Plan Options & Pricing, and Service Features and Ease of Use. Whereas, TaxAct scores better on Maximum Refund and Accuracy Guarantee. Both companies score similarly on Customer Support and Guidance, and Support Services.


Customer Comments & Reviews

A
Andrew
1/20/2020
TurboTax by Intuit Tax Software review
I used TT for years. Then last year I got an audit on my state tax and had to payback my 2015 return plus interest and penalty. I reached out to TT to see what the mistake was and found a difference in my State and Federal on my personal income. Apparently I needed to put a different amount in my state then what I entered in my Federal. I reached out to TT for support on paying the interest and penalty and got none. They said it was my mistake. That was tough for me to swallow since the TT software is supposed to guide you through these technicalities, check and highlight mistakes, and support you. I did not get that with TT and I will no longer use their product. That is why I am on this site searching for software to use.


D
Del L
5/3/2019
TaxAct Tax Software review
I just got off of a long phone conversation with Terry, a taxact customer service rep. He and I had to dig deep into my state return to find the reason it was rejected by Colorado. He found the error and showed me how to enter the correct data. I needed to correct it because Colorado owed me a refund. Thanks Terry!


M
Marie
4/15/2019
TurboTax by Intuit Tax Software review
First of all nothing is really free...I went from free to $19.99 to $39.99 to $59.99 to being forced to pay $106 ($60 fed & $40 state) to file simple 1040A and simple state without any itemized deductions...should’ve seen that coming! I think it’s free just to enter all your personal information...Then after you pay TurboTax and any taxes you owed you need your AGI from last years taxes, (spent 20 minutes finding those) and then you need your spouses drivers license number! He’s at work of course...They have a list of docs needed in the beginning however fail to mention this info! Also after I entered all income & taxes paid for the year it computed $995 refund..which became $304 in the end with no changes to income/taxes paid! Just a $$ lure to keep you going...by the time you’re done and find out the true numbers you’ve been at it for too long to start over somewhere else..Well, there you have it..I’m stuck waiting for hubby’s license number to finish it...can’t wait to see what’s next!! Other than that I liked TurboTax..lots of good info provided on every tax question and simple to use..as long as you’re aware of what’s up next!


Jon D
1/12/2018
TurboTax by Intuit Tax Software review
Massachusettes DOR gave me coupon for free filing for TurboTax but TurboTax would not accept it so it cost me an extra $40.00 at the end to efile to state