Cash App Taxes vs Column Tax (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Cash App Taxes if

• Fits if you file a US individual return, even with 1099 income or stock sales
• Works for people who already hold a Cash App account

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you do not want a Cash App account, as you must create one to log in
• Skip it if you file for a business or outside the US, as the pages do not describe either
• Watch out: the 5-day-early refund needs the refund paid into Cash App and is an estimate, not a promise
• Watch out: it states it is not a tax advisor

Pick Column Tax if

• Fits if you run a bank or app and want filing inside your product
• Makes sense if you need expert review and audit support for your users

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you are an individual, as filing is only available through a partner's account
• Tight if you want a price, as none is published and pricing is sold through a demo request
• Watch out: the company announced its acquisition by Aiwyn, so packaging may change
• Skip it if you file outside the US, as it covers US federal and state returns

Cash App Taxes

• A Cash App account is required: you must download the app and create an account to log in.
• It files US federal and state returns only; the pages do not describe business or non-US filing.
• The 5-day-early refund applies only if the refund is deposited into Cash App, and is an estimate, not a promise.
• Cash App Taxes is not a tax advisor, as the vendor states on its page.

Column Tax

• Individuals cannot sign up directly: filing and support are available only through a partner organization's account.
• No prices are published; terms and any fee to the taxpayer depend on the partner, and pricing is sold through a demo request.
• Covers US federal and state returns for individuals and small-business income that flows into a Form 1040.
• The company has announced its acquisition by Aiwyn, so the product's future packaging may change.

Cash App Taxes

Federal and state e-filing

Prepares and files both federal and state returns, with the vendor stating there is no charge for either, even with deductions or credits.

Wide range of income types

The site says W-2s, 1099s, self-employment income, stock sales and bitcoin sales are covered without extra fees.

Accuracy and max refund guarantees

The vendor offers an Accurate Calculations Guarantee and a Max Refund Guarantee, both with eligibility terms and exclusions on its help pages.

Refund into Cash App

A refund deposited into Cash App can arrive up to 5 days early, based on the vendor's estimate from tax year 2024 filing data.

Account security

Requires a phone number and verification, supports authenticator-app two-factor sign-in and encrypts data in transit.

Column Tax

Embedded DIY filing

Federal and state do-it-yourself filing sits inside a partner's app or website, with details the partner already holds pre-filled.

Expert Review

An add-on product in which a tax professional reviews a return and leaves notes and suggestions before filing.

API integration

Partners connect through APIs, with public API documentation, and the vendor says it can get a partner to accepted returns in a week or less.

Refund and accuracy guarantees

The FAQ describes a Maximum Refund Guarantee and an Accuracy Guarantee that covers penalties from a calculation error, with terms in its Terms of Use.

Audit support

For a return filed through the service, the vendor says it gives guidance on an audit notice, including organizing documents and answering questions.

Security posture

The vendor lists SOC 2 certification, bank-grade encryption and IRS e-file authorization for its infrastructure.

Cash App Taxes

• Free$0

  Federal and state filing at no cost, including 1099 income, stock and bitcoin sales.

Column Tax

Pricing could not be confirmed. See columntax.com.