Small business Small business loans. Taxes are confusing enough without the added stress of figuring out which tax software is the best, so we did the research to help you choose the ideal. The best of them are extremely affordable and offer mobile versions, integration with major banks, quarterly estimated income tax calculations, reports that make sense for very small businesses.

Tax Software 2018 For Tax Preparers
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Taxes are never, ever fun — especially when you’re trying to make sense of the new tax law changes for the first time. You don’t need to dread April 15th, though. Tax prep programs have come a long way, and if you choose the best tax software, you’ll be able to knock out your return quickly and confidently – and hopefully get a sizable tax refund you can put to good use.

Our list of the best tax software companies for 2019 features three faithful standouts: TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct.

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TurboTax tops our list (for the fifth year in a row) for several reasons, but the main one is that TurboTax is simply the easiest to use — and that makes a difference when you’re slogging through the drudgery of filing your taxes.

TurboTax also has a comprehensive set of features for more complex returns, but, best of all, it’s free for the millions of Americans who will file the new, streamlinedform 1040 (say goodbye to the 1040EZ and 1040A as of tax year 2018) without any additional schedules or deductions.

The Simple Dollar’s Picks for the Best Tax Software for 2019

Best Overall: TurboTax
Best Customer Support: H&R Block
Best Value: TaxAct

Best slideshow for mac 2018. The best tax software doesn’t just get your taxes filed — it leaves you confident about your return rather than worried about an audit. With a focus on user experience, we put each software package through the wringer, evaluating facilitation, disbursement, accuracy tools, and deduction discovery.

We also considered how much we enjoyed using it (yes, you can enjoy using tax software), and looked for a few key features: an accuracy guarantee, audit-risk identification tools, multiple refund-disbursement options, strong customer support, an equally powerful mobile app, and the ability to import all of your forms and data.

TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct: What Is the Best Tax Software?

TurboTax

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Intuit’s TurboTax remains the industry’s most streamlined and intuitive tax software package for the 2018 tax year. Whether you’re self-employed, freelancing on the side, or filing a simplified 1040, TurboTax has all the tools you need to minimize headaches and capitalize on your return. Just remember: Its pricing schedule can be a bit more confusing and expensive than its competitors, so you might wind up paying more than you expected depending on the complexity of your tax situation.

With the ability to snap a photo of your W-2 form, have the information imported automatically, and then file directly from your smartphone, TurboTax is a clear winner for people with simple, straightforward tax returns. But even those with more complicated tax situations may find TurboTax useful.

Last year, the company introduced TurboTax Live — no, it’s not a Broadway musical about filing taxes, thank God — which allows you to live chat with a CPA from your computer while preparing your taxes. Users can share their screen and receive expert help as often as they need, a move aimed at competing with H&R Block’s 12,000 in-person locations nationwide. TurboTax Live isn’t cheap — it starts at $69.99 for simple returns. But outside of sitting in a room with a tax professional, it’s among the best customer support tools in the industry.

TurboTax also has a handy tool for the self-employed called Expense Finder. Once connected to a user’s bank account, Expense Finder helps to pinpoint every single transaction from the past year that might qualify as a deductible business expense. It can be difficult to keep track of every nickel and dime spent on things like travel and food, so this is a welcome addition to the TurboTax experience. Plus, users get a free, one-year subscription to Intuit QuickBooks.

H&R Block

Start With H&R Block Here

H&R Block is one of the most trusted names in tax prep thanks to its excellent customer service. With over 12,000 locations in the United States, you’re likely not far from speaking face-to-face with a professional who can help you sift through the financial maze.

And regardless of which edition you choose, you can add on additional support if you need it. Ask a Pro ($40 to $50) allows you unlimited chat and screen sharing with a tax expert without leaving your home, while a Tax Pro Review ($50 to $90) involves a full, one-on-one review of your return and documentation with a tax expert by secure message or over the phone.

The company’s software isn’t quite as intuitive or feature-rich as TurboTax, but H&R Block’s Free Edition covers more tax situations: If you want to deduct student loan interest or childcare expenses, for example, H&R Block’s Free online version supports those forms, while TurboTax’s does not. H&R Block’s paid software is a bit more affordable for small-business owners and those with investments and rental properties, too – and their transparent upfront pricing is more straightforward than some competitors.

TaxAct

Start With TaxAct Here

TaxAct is one of the most affordable options out there, particularly for filers with more complex tax returns. With paid tiers ranging from “Basic+” ($9.95) to “Premier” ($34.95) to “Self-Employed” ($49.95), taxpayers who itemize deductions — that includes homeowners, investors, freelancers, and business owners — can get access to the forms they need for a lot less than TurboTax.

The flipside to its affordability is that TaxAct doesn’t offer quite as smooth a user experience, nor as robust customer support as the likes of TurboTax Live or H&R Block’s 12,000+ office sites. But if you don’t mind forgoing the bells and whistles, TaxAct is one of the best, and most affordable, software options available.

Still sounding a little too spendy? Check out our Best Free Tax Software Guide to see if there’s a no-cost option that fits your needs.

What should the best tax software have?

Accuracy guarantee: If you pay an IRS or state penalty or interest because of a calculation error, the company pays you back for the penalty and interest.
Audit-risk identification: Tools that help you identify red flags that trigger audits, like failing to report all your income, or breaking rules on foreign accounts.
Refund disbursement options: Users can choose how a refund is paid, including via check, direct deposit, prepaid debit card, savings bonds, etc.
Strong customer support system: A comprehensive knowledge base, live chat or screen sharing, email support.
Online and desktop versions: Filing online allows you to pick up where you left off on a different device or location, but some users, particularly business owners, may prefer having everything saved to their hard drive.
Easy data import: Our top three picks make it easy to fill out your forms without typing all those numbers out. They all allow you to import your W-2 by snapping a photo of it, to import information from your previous tax returns, and to directly import information from larger employers or payroll services.

Which deductions should the best tax software offer?

Aside from the standard deductions — which were nearly doubled for 2018, up to $12,00 for singles and married persons filing separate returns, $18,000 for head of household filers, and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly — we only considered software that also offered:

Charitable donations
Itemized deductions
Business owner deductions
Depreciation summary
Vehicle deduction methods
Rental property deductions

How to Choose the Best Tax Preparation Software for You

A salaried nine-to-five employee and the owner of a small business have vastly different tax situations. Whether you’re a s

Best Tax Software 2018 For Small Business Mac