Year after year, TaxSlayer delivers an amazing tax filing product, and 2022 is no exception. TaxSlayer’s amazing technology platform and discount prices make it a top choice, especially for landlords and self-employed people who often pay hefty fees to file their taxes. If you’ve become outraged by the prices charged by premium tax software companies, but you don’t want to give up the premium experience, TaxSlayer may be right for you.
Let’s dive in to our TaxSlayer review and see what makes TaxSlayer one of the best tax software choices of the 2022 tax season.
Review Walkthrough Video
TaxSlayer – Is It Really Free?
TaxSlayer has a pricing tier called Simply Free. This tier allows users with W-2 income and educational expenses to file Federal and State taxes for free.
The trouble with this tier is that it’s extremely restrictive. Credits like the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit aren’t unlocked at this level. Filers who have HSAs or qualify for Dependent Care Credits will also have to pay for TaxSlayer Classic to complete their return.
For Military Members: TaxSlayer has been consistently known to support military members. They offer a free Federal return for military members using TaxSlayer Classic – with all forms and tax situations included (state is additional). Learn more about TaxSlayer Military here >>
What’s New In 2022?
Over the past several years, TaxSlayer has been making strides to become a premium tax filing software (without the big sticker price). This year, TaxSlayer earns a premium experience label. The service now offers completely guided navigation options. Users who aren’t sure how to file their taxes will find the refined guidance easy to use. In addition to enhanced navigation, TaxSlayer has more “personalization” efforts built into the software. Easy to understand “interviews” help filers properly enter details about Advanced Child Tax Credit Payments, Stimulus Payments, and other important details.
Does TaxSlayer Make Tax Filing Easy In 2022?
Overall, TaxSlayer simplifies tax filing for many people. It’s especially great software for landlords and self-employed people who need great calculators. TaxSlayer is designed to help people identify and properly claim overlooked expenses and deductions. Self-employed people and landlords can benefit from the TaxSlayer approach.
TaxSlayer Notable Features
TaxSlayer provides premium tax filing software at discount prices. These are some of the notable advantages of using this robust software.
Guided Navigation
In 2022, TaxSlayer improved its navigation and now offers guided navigation through every section. Users can also jump to a new section using the navigation bar on the left-hand side of the software.
Specific Examples Of Legitimate Deductible Expenses
TaxSlayer includes “How this works” articles that highlight legitimate deductible expenses. These articles make it far easier for people to understand deductions they can take. Combined with other options (like “Ask a Pro”), filers can claim or not claim their expenses with confidence. While most companies have “knowledge articles” built into their software, TaxSlayer is remarkable for the quality and applicability of these articles.
All Forms Supported At Classic Level
TaxSlayer Classic supports all major schedules and forms. That means that filers with self-employment or rental income can use the Classic option. For premium software, this is a real bargain.
Pro Support Included With Premium
TaxSlayer Premium includes unlimited one-on-one guidance from a tax professional. This support can happen over the phone or via live chat.
Audit Support
TaxSlayer Premium includes audit support for up to three years after filing. The Classic level includes IRS inquiry support for one year.
TaxSlayer Notable Drawbacks
While TaxSlayer offers an excellent product, it has a few drawbacks that should be pointed out.
Can’t Import Stock Trades
However, TaxSlayer is not ideal for active crypto or stock traders. The software still requires users to enter each transaction separately. It doesn’t allow people to upload Form 8949 or 1099-B to the software. H&R Block (for stock traders) and TurboTax (for stock and crypto traders) are easier-to-use options.
Simply Free Is Limited
TaxSlayer has a free pricing tier, but it it’s only applicable to a few filers. Filers who want to claim the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit have to upgrade.
TaxSlayer Pricing And Plans
TaxSlayer has a unique pricing strategy. Its “Classic” pricing supports all schedules and forms, but it doesn’t include Audit Support or advice from tax professionals. The higher-priced options allow users to upgrade for those options.
How Does TaxSlayer Compare?
TaxSlayer is an incredibly robust and easy-to-use software, but it doesn’t offer automatic imports or connections to brokerage accounts. Because it doesn’t have those integrations, we’re comparing it to some bargain software (FreeTaxUSA and CashAppTax) and high-end software (H&R Block and TurboTax). This year, we recommended TaxSlayer as the best tax software for Side Hustlers and Self-Employed people.
Is It Safe And Secure?
TaxSlayer uses best-in-class security. It requires multi-factor authentication and encrypts all data. But the company’s security policies haven’t always been this good. Back in 2015, TaxSlayer had a data breach in which 8,800 customers had their data stolen. The result of this breach was enhancements to security including the requirement to use multi-factor authentication. Despite the cleaned-up security protocols, all tax filing products carry some risk. TaxSlayer (or any other provider) could have their cloud databases breached through a hack. Tax filers don’t have great alternatives to cloud-based tax filing services. However, they should take time to evaluate the risks before choosing any tax filing software.
How Do I Contact TaxSlayer Support?
TaxSlayer has a variety of support options – which is how they differentiate themselves. The most robust support help will be on their Premium and Self-Employed tiers. However, any customers can use their support form, chat service, or call their support phone number at 706-922-6741.
TaxSlayer has a solid customer service reputation online. The company is currently rated 4.3/5 on Trustpilot out of more than 15,500 customer reviews.
Where To Buy
Unlike other software providers like TurboTax or H&R Block, TaxSlayer doesn’t offer a desktop version of its software. So the only ways to buy TaxSlayer’s cloud-based software is to visit its website or download its mobile app.
TaxSlayer offers an ideal blend of ease-of-use, quality, and cost. It’s the ideal tax software for self-employed people and landlords who need a great interface and great calculators. However, the lack of brokerage integrations makes it a poor choice for active traders who need to import trading history. People with simple filing situations may find that Cash App Taxes or H&R Block Free make more sense for them. But TaxSlayer offers premium software at a bargain price for many others. Get started with TaxSlayer for free and try it out >>
TaxSlayer FAQs
Here are some common questions we get about TaxSlayer every year.
Can TaxSlayer help me file my crypto investments?
TaxSlayer can support crypto trades, but the process to enter your trades is quite cumbersome. Most active traders will want to choose an alternative product like TurboTax Premier.
Can I request my stimulus check through TaxSlayer?
TaxSlayer allows filers to claim the Rebate Recovery Credit for 2021 through its software. This credit is applicable to the third stimulus check which was issued in 2021. Any money that wasn’t received will be added to the annual refund check. If you didn’t receive your first two stimulus payments (issued in 2020), you will need to file a 2020 tax return which requires using the Amended return tool.
I didn’t receive the full amount for Advanced Child Tax Credit Payments. Can TaxSlayer help me get the rest?
TaxSlayer has a great Covid-19 section that walks users through the various provisions associated with economic relief. TaxSlayer ensures that filers who didn’t receive the appropriate Child Tax Credit payments will be made whole through the annual tax refund. This support is available at the Classic level.
Can TaxSlayer help me with state filing in multiple states?
Yes, TaxSlayer supports multi-state filing. But filers must pay $36.95 per state.
Do I have to use the self-employed tier for my side hustle?
Technically, filers can use the Classic tier for self-employment and side hustling. Filers who want pro support from self-employment experts can upgrade to the most expensive Self-Employed tier.
Does TaxSlayer offer refund advance loans?
In 2022, TaxSlayer is not advertising refund advance loans. It does have a relationship with Green Dot Bank and allows unbanked people to receive their funds on a TaxSlayer debit card issued through Green Dot Bank. But this option does not entitle people to receive funds any earlier than normal.
Does TaxSlayer offer any deals on refunds?
TaxSlayer offers a “file and go” option where fees are deducted from a filer’s refund. However, this comes with an additional cost.
Is TaxSlayer better than TurboTax?
It depends. We found TaxSlayer to be better on price and pretty good on usability. TurboTax does offer one of the easiest to use interfaces, though, and it can make tax filing easy.
What are the alternatives to TaxSlayer?
TurboTax is the biggest competitor to TaxSlayer. You can also look at FreeTaxUSA, H&R Block, and TaxAct. Check out our list of TaxSlayer Alternatives here.
TaxSlayer Features
