TaxSlayer

Overview

TaxSlayer is tax-preparation software for filing federal and state returns through a browser or mobile device. It is best suited to taxpayers who need more than a basic wage return, including contractors and people with investment or rental income. The trade-off is that free eligibility is narrow and paid plans add a $47.99 charge for each state return.

Key features

TaxSlayer supports self-employment, investment income, and rental income. Its paid products handle the IRS forms, credits, and deductions supported by the software, making them potentially suitable for a broad range of individual returns. That breadth does not ensure coverage for every business or specialized situation, so unusually complex filers should confirm their needs before committing.

W-2 and 1099 import reduces repetitive typing, and a W-2 can be uploaded as a PDF. The mobile app allows federal and state returns to be prepared and filed on a smartphone or tablet, while the web version serves desktop users.

Year-round phone and email assistance is included across packages. Premium and Self-Employed customers also receive chat during operating hours, giving those plans a useful support advantage. TaxSlayer lists AES-256 encryption for data in transit and at rest, multi-layer authentication, and a dedicated cybersecurity team. It is IRS-approved software that electronically sends submitted returns for IRS processing, and it includes audit support.

Pricing

TaxSlayer follows a freemium model. Simply Free costs nothing and includes one federal return and one state return. It is intended for eligible taxpayers; eligibility depends on age, income, credits, and deductions, so it is not a universal free option.

Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed each include one federal return, with custom pricing for the plan and $47.99 per state return. Classic is the basic paid step up for filers whose return falls outside Simply Free. Premium is the better fit for users who value chat support, while Self-Employed targets contractors, 1099 filers, side hustlers, and other self-employed taxpayers. The state fee can make multi-state filing expensive, and listed prices may change at print or e-file.

Platforms

TaxSlayer runs on the web and has Android and iOS apps. Mobile filing is a substantive advantage for users who want to prepare and submit returns from a phone or tablet rather than rely on a desktop.

Who it's for

Choose it for eligible simple filers who want a federal and state return at no software cost, or for self-employed and investment or rental-income taxpayers who need broader tax-form support. It is less suitable when several state returns are required, when a business situation is highly specialized, or when free-plan eligibility is uncertain.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Self-employment, investment, and rental-income support extends beyond basic wage returns.
• Pro: Web, Android, and iOS access supports filing from a computer or mobile device.
• Pro: Year-round phone and email help is included with every package, with chat on Premium and Self-Employed.
• Pro: W-2 and 1099 import, including PDF W-2 upload, can reduce manual entry.
• Con: Simply Free is restricted by taxpayer eligibility and covers only one federal and one state return.
• Con: Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed charge $47.99 for every state return, which can outweigh the federal-plan value for multi-state filers.
• Con: Specialized business situations may fall outside the software's supported scope.

Alternatives

H&R Block Online is a sensible alternative for simple Form 1040 filers seeking web and mobile access; its Free Online plan costs nothing, with billing per state filed.

FreeTaxUSA is worth comparing if you want separate federal and state filing products and do not need a free trial.

Meu Imposto de Renda is an option for users who need broad platform coverage, including desktop operating systems, with restrictions on some income and payment types.

TurboTax fits eligible simple returns through a web-only Free Edition, while TaxAct offers a web-based free federal tier for eligible standard returns and a 59.99 USD Deluxe plan.

CloudTax suits users wanting Android or iOS self-guided filing with a pay-what-you-want free tier. WISO Steuer is a broader-platform paid product with a test version. ClearTax is a web option with self e-filing and a salary plan priced at ₹599 a month plus taxes.

For broader comparisons, see Personal Tax Software and Tax Preparation Software.

Verdict

TaxSlayer is a strong choice for eligible taxpayers who want web and mobile filing with support for self-employment, investment, or rental income. Its main reason to look elsewhere is cost uncertainty: paid plan pricing is custom, and the $47.99 per-state fee can quickly raise the bill, especially for multi-state or highly specialized returns.