TaxAct vs TaxCycle (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 TaxCycle if

• Fits if your firm prepares Canadian T1 and T2 returns on Windows machines
• Makes sense if you are moving a practice over from ProFile, Cantax, Taxprep or DT Max

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use a Mac or work in a browser, as it is Windows only
• Pricey if you need several modules, since each is licensed per user per tax year and extra users cost $238 to $944 each
• Watch out: the Suite prices on the page are sale prices until about December 17, and the page does not name the currency
• Watch out: refunds apply to first purchases of the current-year product and may be prorated or declined after February 28

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.

TaxCycle

• Runs on Windows 11 and Windows Server only; the system requirements page lists no Mac or browser version.
• Prices are per tax year and per module, with extra users priced separately; the page does not name the currency.
• The page shows the Suite and bundles on sale until about December 17; the plans above list the regular prices.
• Refunds apply to first-time purchases of the current-year product; after February 28 they may be prorated or declined.

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.

TaxCycle

Tax modules by return type

Separate modules cover personal T1, Québec TP1, corporate T2, trusts T3, charities T3010, partnerships T5013 and the T4, T5 and NR4 slips.

Carry forward from other software

The trial page says returns from Intuit ProFile, Cantax, Taxprep and DT Max can be carried forward into TaxCycle.

TaxFolder client portal

TaxFolder adds e-signatures and a client portal. It is licensed until the end of 2027 and sold on its own or bundled with the suite.

DoxCycle document management

DoxCycle handles scanned and captured client documents and extracts data from them. It needs a TWAIN or WIA scanner for scanning.

Client Manager and Template Editor

Included in the Complete Tax Suite and Tax Basics bundles: a client list for the practice and an editor for letter and engagement templates.

EFILE and integrations

The product pages list EFILE for returns, plus links to Xero, Caseware, Docusign, Gmail, Microsoft 365 (Outlook) and Remitian.

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.

TaxCycle

• Tax Basics 2026$1,680

  for 1 user, per tax year, regular price

  T1, T2, CO-17, T4, T4A, RL-1, RL-2, T5 and RL-3, with Client Manager and Template Editor. Sale price $1,655 now.

• Complete Tax Suite 2026$2,800

  for 1 user, per tax year, regular price

  Every tax module plus DoxCycle, Client Manager and Template Editor. $2,700 during the current sale; extra users $756 each.

• Suite + TaxFolder 2026$3,102

  for 1 user, per tax year, regular price

  Complete Tax Suite plus the TaxFolder client portal with e-signatures. $2,852 during the sale; extra users $944 each.

• TaxCycle T1 2026$618

  for 1 user, per tax year

  Federal personal tax returns only. Extra users $238 each; the Québec TP1 add-on is $198 for a site license.

• TaxCycle T2$1,102

  for 1 user, per tax year

  Corporate returns, including AT1 and CO-17. Extra users $248 each.

TaxAct

No public discounts listed.

TaxCycle

• Other savings

  Seasonal sale on the TaxCycle Suite

  The pricing page shows up to $350 off the Suite until about December 17, and a 12-month payment plan available only during the sale.