TaxAct vs TaxBandits (2026): which should you pick?

Pick TaxAct if

• Fits if you have a simple return and want to file federal for free
• Works for self-employed filers who file once a year and want to pay by the return

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you have investment, rental or self-employment income and want to stay free, as the free edition excludes all three
• Tight if you file in a state, since returns cost $54.99 on Free and $64.99 on Self-Employed
• Watch out: Xpert Assist is $45 on the pricing cards but $60 in the FAQ
• Not for you if you want bookkeeping or invoicing, as it only prepares and e-files taxes

Pick TaxBandits if

• Fits if you file a few dozen 1099s or W-2s a year and want to pay per form
• Works for small businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks or Xero

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you file outside the US, as it covers US federal and state forms only
• Tight if you file more than 2,000 1099s and W-2s or 1,000 94x forms, as above that you contact sales
• Pricey if you need recipient mailing from $1.85 a form or online access at $0.50 a form, since both are extra
• Watch out: corrections are free only when the original 94x return was filed with TaxBandits
• Watch out: the pricing page text would not load here, so the per-form prices are from the listing

TaxAct

• State returns are charged separately: $54.99 each on the Free edition and $64.99 each on Self-Employed.
• Free federal filing excludes investment income, itemized deductions, rental income and self-employment income.
• Xpert Assist is shown at $45 on the pricing cards but $60 in the page's FAQ.
• It prepares and e-files taxes only; it is not bookkeeping or invoicing software.

TaxBandits

• Covers US federal and state forms only; it is not general bookkeeping software.
• Volume pricing stops at 2,000 forms for 1099 and W-2, and at 1,000 for 94x, above which you contact sales.
• Add-ons are charged separately: recipient mailing from $1.85 a form and online access at $0.50 a form.
• Corrections are free only when the original 94x return was filed with TaxBandits.

TaxAct

Guided federal and state filing

The online editions walk through a return step by step, import W-2 or 1099 data, and e-file with direct deposit.

Free federal edition

Simple Form 1040 returns with no attached forms or schedules can be filed federally at no cost; investment, rental and self-employed income need a paid edition.

Business returns

Editions exist for partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, sole proprietors, and estates and trusts, with uploaded forms such as Schedule K-1 sorted into the return.

Xpert Assist

An add-on that gives unlimited calls or chats with credentialed tax experts while you file, available on the consumer 1040 editions.

Xpert Full Service

Experts prepare and file the return for you, from $99 plus $69 for all states. The page said the service was at full capacity when read.

Tax calculators

The tax resources section offers an income tax calculator and other estimators for working out a refund or credits.

TaxBandits

Federal and state e-filing

Files 1099, W-2, 94x, ACA, 1042 and 5500 series forms with the IRS. State filing is free when it goes with the federal return in the combined filing program.

Data import and validation

Accepts CSV upload and API integration, with validation checks and USPS address validation (free). Smart Extraction pulls form data from documents at $0.35 a page.

Recipient copies

Online access to recipient copies is $0.50 a form; domestic postal mailing is $1.85 a form and international mailing $4.99.

TIN matching

Checks names and taxpayer ID numbers before filing, at $0.35 per TIN, or $99 for a bulk file.

W-9 and W-8 collection

A W-9 Manager requests and stores W-9 and W-8 forms from payees. The first 10 requests are free, and the page names it a free W-9 manager.

Corrections and retransmission

The Bandit Commitment promises no-cost corrections, free retransmission when a return is rejected, and a money-back guarantee, with terms.

TaxAct

• Free (online)$0

  Federal filing for simple returns with no forms or schedules attached. A state return is $54.99 each.

• Basic (download)$44.99

  per tax year, includes 5 federal e-files

  Downloadable software; state returns are an additional charge. The download page does not state which operating systems it supports.

• Deluxe (online)$59.99

  per federal return

  Adds home ownership, child and dependent care, and HSA contributions. State returns are extra.

• Premier (online)$99.99

  per federal return

  Adds selling stocks or crypto, selling a home and rental income. State returns are extra.

• Self-Employed (online)$109.99

  per federal return

  Adds contract, freelance, rideshare and sole-proprietor income. A state return is $64.99 each.

• Business (online)$159.99

  per return, Partnerships (Form 1065)

  S-corporations (1120-S) and C-corporations (1120) are $169.99 each. State returns are extra.

TaxBandits

• 1099 / W-2 federal e-file$2.75

  per form for the first 10 forms

  Falls to $1.75 per form for 11-100, $1.15 for 101-250, $1.00 for 251-500 and $0.80 for 501-2,000. Also covers 1098, 5498 and 480.

• 94x payroll forms$5.95

  per form for the first form

  Forms 940, 941, 943, 944 and 945: $5.25 for 2-4 forms, $4.75 for 5-25, down to $3.00 for 501-1,000. Amendments are free.

• 941 bundle$21.42

  for 4 quarters of Form 941

  Four quarters of Form 941 after a 10% bundle saving from $23.80. A Complete 94x bundle with Form 940 is $26.77.

• W-9/W-8 requests$0.35

  per request after the first 10, which are free

  Requests sent by text cost $0.50 each. TIN matching is $0.35 per TIN.