Softwr

Accounting · head to head

TaxAct vs TaxJar

TaxAct logo

TaxAct

Accounting

Get your maximum refund, guaranteed

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TaxJar logo

TaxJar

Accounting

Sales tax, simplified

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: TaxAct free edition available only to approximately 40% of filers; TaxJar both published plans include only 200 orders per month, so higher volume costs more
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which TaxAct and TaxJar actually diverge.

Attributes where TaxAct and TaxJar differ
AttributeTaxActTaxJar
Pricing modelone-timeusage-based
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown2013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in TaxAct

Nothing recorded that TaxJar does not also cover.

Only in TaxJar

  • Tax calculation
  • AutoFile returns
  • Economic nexus tracking
  • Exemption certificates
  • Multi-channel support
  • Shopify
  • Amazon
  • WooCommerce

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

TaxAct

  • Individual tax filingnot TaxJar
  • Self-employed tax preparationnot TaxJar

TaxJar

  • Calculating US sales tax at checkoutnot TaxAct
  • Reporting sales tax liability by state and jurisdictionnot TaxAct
  • Automatically filing state sales tax returnsnot TaxAct

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

TaxAct

  • Free edition available only to approximately 40% of filers
  • Pricing excludes separate state filing fees
  • Xpert Full Service pricing available on request only

TaxJar

  • Both published plans include only 200 orders per month, so higher volume costs more
  • The Starter plan at $39 per month allows only 3 data import integrations
  • AutoFile state filings are metered: Starter includes 2 credits a year and each extra filing costs $50, Professional includes 4 and each extra costs $55
  • Real time tax calculation API access requires the Professional plan at $99 per month
  • Phone support, a Customer Success Manager and a dedicated onboarding specialist require the Professional plan
  • The developer sandbox requires the Professional plan
  • The 10% saving requires annual billing

Pricing, plan by plan

TaxAct

Free
  • Free EditionFree
    • W-2 income
    • Unemployment
    • Basic credits and deductions
  • Deluxe$59.99/tax-year
    • All Free Edition features
    • Home ownership deductions
    • Childcare and dependent care
  • Premier$99.99/tax-year
    • All Deluxe features
    • Investment income and capital gains
    • Cryptocurrency reporting
  • Self-Employed$109.99/tax-year
    • Complete business support
    • For contractors, freelancers, and sole proprietors

TaxJar

Free
  • Starter$39/month
    • Up to 200 orders per month
    • 3 data integrations
    • API access included
  • Professional$99/month
    • Up to 200 orders per month
    • 10 total data integrations
    • 10,000 API calls per minute

Which should you pick?

Choose TaxAct if

  • You want to start without paying.
TaxAct review

Choose TaxJar if

  • You need tax calculation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want autofile returns.
TaxJar review

Questions people ask

Is TaxAct or TaxJar better?
Neither clearly leads. TaxAct starts at Free and TaxJar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, TaxAct or TaxJar?
TaxAct starts at Free and TaxJar at Free.
Does TaxAct or TaxJar run on more platforms?
TaxAct runs on Web. TaxJar runs on Web, Api.
Can I use TaxAct for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is TaxAct best used for?
TaxAct is most often used for individual tax filing, self-employed tax preparation. Of those, individual tax filing and self-employed tax preparation are not what TaxJar is typically brought in for.
What can TaxAct do that TaxJar cannot?
TaxJar covers Tax calculation, AutoFile returns, Economic nexus tracking, Exemption certificates.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

TaxAct: How much does TaxAct cost?

TaxAct offers a free edition for approximately 40% of filers, Deluxe at $59.99, Premier at $99.99, and Self-Employed at $109.99 per tax year.

Source
TaxJar: How much does TaxJar cost?

TaxJar pricing starts at $39/month for Starter and $99/month for Professional. Save 10% or more with annual pricing. A 30-day free trial is available.

Source
TaxAct: Is TaxAct truly free for eligible filers?

Yes, TaxAct's Free Edition is available at no cost for W-2 employees, students, and filers meeting basic income and deduction requirements.

Source
TaxJar: What is the difference between TaxJar Starter and Professional?

Both plans handle up to 200 orders/month, but Professional includes phone support, dedicated success manager, 10 users, and more data integrations and API capacity.

Source
TaxAct: What is the difference between Premier and Deluxe plans?

Premier adds support for investment income, capital gains, cryptocurrency, rental properties, and home sale reporting compared to Deluxe.

Source
TaxJar: Does TaxJar offer discounts for annual billing?

Yes, TaxJar saves customers 10% or more when paying annually instead of monthly for both Starter and Professional plans.

Source
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