TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer provides forms, calculations and resources for preparing and electronically filing federal and state tax returns. It supports self-employment, investment income, rental income and audit support. The Simply Free plan costs nothing and includes one federal return and one state return; eligibility depends on age, income, credits and deductions. Classic, Premium and Self-Employed each include one federal return, with state returns listed at $47.99 per state return. No price is listed for those plans beyond that state charge. The mobile app lets users prepare and file federal and state taxes from a smartphone or tablet, and the product is available on the web, iOS and Android. TaxSlayer lists W-2 and 1099 import, and its support instructions say users can upload a PDF copy of a W-2. Phone and email support are available year-round for all package options; chat is available to Premium and Self-Employed users during operating hours. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, United States. Listed prices are guides and may change.

TaxSlayer covers several income types and offers web and mobile filing. Check Simply Free eligibility and state-return charges against your filing needs.

TaxSlayer may suit people filing federal and state returns, including self-employed filers and people with investment or rental income. The Simply Free option is limited to eligible taxpayers.

Overview

TaxSlayer is software for preparing and electronically filing federal and state tax returns through a browser or mobile device. It is best suited to taxpayers whose returns include self-employment, investment, or rental income and who want access from a phone, tablet, or computer. The principal trade-off is between broad paid-plan coverage and a restricted free tier, with state filing charges that can materially affect the final bill.

Key features

TaxSlayer's paid products handle the IRS forms, credits, and deductions supported by the software. Support for self-employment, investment income, and rental income makes it more capable than a tool aimed only at a basic wage return. That still does not promise coverage for every business or specialized tax situation, so unusually complex filers should confirm that their circumstances fit.

W-2 and 1099 import reduces repetitive typing, and a W-2 can be uploaded as a PDF. The mobile app supports preparing and filing both federal and state returns from a smartphone or tablet, while the web version suits users who prefer a larger screen.

Every package includes year-round phone and email support. Premium and Self-Employed add chat during operating hours, making those plans more useful when a question needs a second support channel. TaxSlayer lists AES-256 encryption for data in transit and at rest, multi-layer authentication, and a dedicated cybersecurity team. It also offers audit support, a reassurance for users concerned about assistance after filing.

Pricing

TaxSlayer follows a freemium model, but the free option is narrower than the name alone suggests. Simply Free costs nothing and includes one federal return and one state return. Eligibility depends on age, income, credits, and deductions, so a taxpayer with a more involved return may have to move to a paid product even when no unusual income is involved.

Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed each include one federal return and charge $47.99 per state return. Classic is the logical paid tier for filers who need more than Simply Free allows without the additional support distinction described for Premium and Self-Employed.

Premium is the better fit for someone who values chat support during operating hours, while Self-Employed is aimed at contractors, 1099 filers, side hustlers, and other self-employed taxpayers. The cheaper Simply Free plan gives up eligibility breadth; paid plans give up predictable total cost because each state adds $47.99. Listed prices are guides, and the amount determined at print or e-file may change without notice.

Platforms

TaxSlayer runs on the web and offers Android and iOS apps. Filing can therefore stay on a desktop browser or move to a phone or tablet, including preparation and submission of federal and state returns. That flexibility favors people who do not want their tax work tied to one computer.

Who it's for

Choose TaxSlayer if you need support for self-employment, investment, or rental income and want a federal-and-state workflow that works on mobile as well as web. Self-Employed is the clearest match for contractors and side businesses; Premium suits users who want chat alongside phone and email support. Simply Free is appropriate only when the taxpayer meets its eligibility rules and has a return that fits the included federal and state filings.

Look elsewhere if your situation is highly specialized and may fall outside the business or other cases the software supports, or if a $47.99 state fee makes a paid plan uneconomical.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Useful income coverage: self-employment, investment, and rental income support reaches beyond a basic wage return.
• Mobile and web filing: Android, iOS, and browser access allow preparation and e-filing from the device that suits you.
• Import tools: W-2 and 1099 import, including PDF W-2 upload, can reduce manual entry.
• Broad assistance: phone and email support are year-round for every package, with chat added to Premium and Self-Employed.
• Security and audit support: AES-256 encryption, multi-layer authentication, a cybersecurity team, and audit support address both data protection and post-filing concerns.

Cons

• Free eligibility is conditional: age, income, credits, and deductions determine whether Simply Free applies.
• State costs add up: Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed charge $47.99 for each state return.
• Specialized coverage is not universal: support for some business and unusual situations is not guaranteed.

Alternatives

FreeTaxUSA is worth considering when you want a freemium federal-filing option with Android, iOS, and web access.

H&R Block Online fits taxpayers seeking a free plan for simple situations, with paid tiers beyond Form 1040 basics.

CloudTax is an alternative for Android and iOS users who want a free-forever, pay-what-you-want basic-return option.

TaxDown is another freemium tax-filing choice available on web and mobile platforms.

Meu Imposto de Renda is a free, multi-platform option for taxpayers whose income and payment situation fits its restrictions.

TurboTax Canada is intended for Canadian tax filing rather than TaxSlayer's US-focused workflow.

H&R Block Tax Software Canada is another Canadian alternative with free and paid plans.

WISO Steuer is a paid tax product with a test version and broad desktop, web, and mobile platform support.

For more options, browse Personal Tax Software and Tax Preparation Software.

Verdict

TaxSlayer is a strong choice for US taxpayers with self-employment, investment, or rental income who want mobile and web filing, import tools, and dependable support. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of broader income coverage and device flexibility. Its main reason to look elsewhere is cost uncertainty: Simply Free is eligibility-limited, while paid plans add $47.99 for every state return and do not publish a federal price.