How to Decide on the Best Online Tax Service

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If you’re hoping to file your taxes quickly through an online tax service, you’re in luck, because there are plenty of good options available. The problem is that there are so many popular online tax service providers that it can be difficult to choose the best one. Here are a few things to look for.

Online Tax Service Criteria

When you’re choosing a tax service, there are several things you should consider.

1. How much does it cost?

While many online tax services will file your federal tax for free under certain conditions, most charge a fee to file state. This fee varies from one service to the next. There are also usually stipulations that determine whether you pay a fee for your federal return or not.

2. Is it user-friendly?

Some online tax services are more user-friendly than others. Because taxes are already complicated, it’s best to find an interface that’s easy to use and hassle-free.

3. Do they offer support?

Ideally, your tax return will be accepted quickly with no questions asked. Unfortunately, sometimes that isn’t the case. Look for a tax service that offers tech support and audit support in case you get hung up on an issue or have specific tax questions.

Comparing the Most Popular Online Tax Services

Now that you know the criteria, let’s compare some of the most popular tax services.

Turbo Tax

Most people agree that Turbo Tax is the most user-friendly tax service available. It also has more support options if you need them, though you may pay a bit more to file. Still, Turbo Tax does offer a free version, though it generally only applies to the simplest of tax returns. Here’s our Turbo Tax review.

Tax Act

Tax Act is the least expensive online tax service that still offers a hassle-free experience and limited support options. You can purchase a third-party audit defense package for an additional fee. Our Tax Act review is here.

H&R Block

H&R Block easily offers the most support options, and it’s middle of the road when it comes to pricing. However, the interface isn’t quite as easy to use, though the free version has fewer limitations than Turbo Tax. Read our H&R Block review.

E-file.com

E-file.com offers some of the least expensive options for tax filing, but the information and support provided are also quite limited. Still, it’s a solid option if you have a simple return and want a quick return experience. This is our full E-File review here.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best online tax service is a bit subjective and comes down to what you need most.

Looking for the cheapest option? Consider E-file.com or Tax Act.

Want great support? H&R Block is probably your best bet.

Looking for a well-rounded tax service? That would be Turbo Tax.

Whichever option you choose, the final results should be the same: an accurate tax filing that’s cheaper than paying a professional.

About the Author

Mary Beth Eastman

Mary Beth Eastman serves as the content manager for Versus Reviews, where she is dedicated to helping readers compare popular products. Mary Beth has a degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University and has focused her 20-year journalism career on putting readers front and center, carefully considering their concerns and presenting information that will help them in their everyday lives. She has won numerous statewide journalism awards. Her writing has been featured on numerous websites in addition to Versus Reviews, including the Huffington Post and the Lexington Law blog. Mary Beth resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., with her family and two rescue dogs.

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