To delete a state from your TaxAct return, follow these steps: FAQ: 640
Once you receive your order confirmation, you can download and install your TaxAct Desktop program. The steps vary depending on whether you are an Individual (Consumer) or a Professional. TIP You can also download and install previously purchased software at no additional charge by following the steps below. Individual (Consumer) Steps To access the download […]
The print process generates a Portable Document Format (PDF) file that can be viewed, printed, or saved. As all supported browsers now have PDF readers, Adobe Acrobat Reader is not required to print a PDF copy. IMPORTANT: TaxAct fees must be paid before the return and individual forms can be printed or saved as a […]
New Customers There are multiple options available to accommodate the specific needs of your tax practice. See https://www.taxact.com/professional/products/pricing for detailed package and pricing information. Once you determine the type of returns you’ll be preparing and how many users you need (Single User or Multi-User), choose the edition or bundle that fits your practice and click Pre-Order. […]
While working on your taxes using TaxAct, you have the option to promptly engage with one of our credentialed tax experts. Open your return in TaxAct. Click Get Live Tax Advice in the top right corner. Select the level of service that you want by choosing Chat or Speak under either Xpress Connect or Unlimited […]
TaxAct Online has a Classic view and a Dashboard view. Classic has a dark purple menu on the left and Dashboard has a white menu with light purple highlighting. If you are in the Dashboard View, you can switch back to Classic View by following these steps: On the left, click Resources. On smaller devices, […]
2025 As 2025 TaxAct state editions are updated, details will be added below to highlight what’s new in each release. Download Information | Federal Update Information | https://www.taxact.com/forms Alabama 2025 1040 V1.0 01/09/2026 – Form 40NR (Nonresident return) not approved for paper or electronic filing. V1.01 01/15/2026 – Form 40NR can be e-filed or paper-filed. No […]
The IRS will begin accepting individual returns on January 26, 2026. The official filing season start dates are posted each year on the IRS website. The IRS accepts returns on a first-come, first-served basis. Because of this, we strive to have our product ready in time for you to be first in line! Our Federal […]
Can I import my prior year tax return from a different software? Yes! TaxAct makes it easy to switch, even if you used a different tax software last year. You can upload your prior-year tax return in PDF format, and we’ll pull in the details we need, which you can review for accuracy. It’s quick, seamless, […]
All TaxAct Customer Support: (319) 373-3600 Tax Professional Support: (319) 731-2682 Refer to our Contact TaxAct Service & Support page for support hours.
When you import a prior-year return, all of the applicable information is carried forward to your current year return. If you want to remove certain information, you will have to do it manually. To remove the spouse details, follow the steps below. Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click About. On smaller devices, click […]
Set Up Passkey You can now set up a passkey to log into your account. This provides a more seamless and secure way to authenticate your TaxAct login. The steps to set up your passkey are detailed for common browsers below. Exact steps may vary depending on your device or browser or passkey selection. Note: […]
You can easily review your return manually, or with the TaxAct Double-Check feature, which can identify missing or incomplete information that may bring your return to the attention of the IRS, and alert you about possible tax saving opportunities. Manual Review Click About or Basic Info, then click Continue on each screen, visually reviewing […]
To enter or review the taxpayer’s or spouse’s Social Security Number in the return, follow the steps below. Online Dashboards From within your TaxAct return, click About. On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. Review the information listed for You, your Spouse, and your […]
To change your filing status from “Married Filing Joint” to “Head of Household” after importing, you will need to remove any spousal information from your return. To remove the spouse details, follow the steps below. Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click About. On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner […]
TaxAct Federal Desktop programs are available in early and final release versions. The early release version is usually released in late October for Professionals and December for Individual Consumers. The final versions of our Federal 1040 software programs are typically released in early January. The state modules begin releasing in early January and can continue […]
Follow these steps if you have forgotten your password: Click Sign In at the top-right of the TaxAct website. On the Sign In screen, enter the username, email address, or the mobile phone number associated with your TaxAct account. Click Sign In. On the Sign in with Password screen, click I forgot my password. A […]
If your dependent received an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), you will need to enter this PIN on your tax return. To enter your dependent’s IP PIN, follow the steps below. Online Dashboards From within your TaxAct return, click Taxes & Miscellaneous. On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your […]
Preparing your Federal Return is easy using TaxAct. The Interview will take you through your return from start to finish. If you prefer to jump around, you can use the Menus or Site Map to jump to specific topics. When using TaxAct Online, there are two views that you may see. Dashboards and Classic Navigation. […]
TaxAct Online provides an easy-to-use interview format which will take you through your return from start to finish. You can also skip to any part of the interview by using the menus or the topic list. Alternatively, you can search or use one of the Assistants. Menus To navigate to a major section in the […]
Donation Assistant is a useful way to calculate the Fair Market Value (FMV) of donated items, such as items donated to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any other charitable or non-profit organizations. This calculator provides certified resale values for over 1,300 items, so you can accurately determine the value of your donated items and maximize your […]
In the TaxAct program, you can add, review/edit, delete, and add multiple copies of Form W-2. If you need to add Form W-2, read the instructions in the article Form W-2 – Entering in Program. To add multiple copies of Form W-2, read the instructions in the article Form W-2 – Filing Multiple Copies. Review […]
You can save time by importing last year’s return into this year’s return. You can import TaxAct Online returns, TaxAct Desktop returns, and PDF files created in another tax program. When you import a prior year return, anything previously entered in the current return will be overwritten. You need to import the prior year return, […]
With TaxAct software, you can gather important tax information for the students or parents of students who will be applying for federal financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) worksheet. located in the Review section of the software. To access the worksheet, click Review and then College Student Financial Aid. Follow […]
To determine which forms/schedules are “active” in the current return, as opposed to those forms that are not being used in the current return, you need to view the Forms and Schedules list. Active forms/schedules are either automatically created (and required as a part of every return), or you have entered information in the TaxAct […]
If you encounter an error when trying to check out a client return, it may be due to one of the following issues: The file’s Read-Only attribute is enabled. The file has become corrupt. The TaxAct program cannot locate the file. The file has been deleted. Deselect Read-Only (For additional assistance, visit Microsoft Support) Close TaxAct. Click the Search field on your taskbar, type File […]
In accordance with the IRS guidelines set forth by the IRS Safeguards Program and the Security Summit, TaxAct Professional account passwords expire every 90 days. If you recently received an e-mail notifying you that your password will expire within seven days, you may follow the instructions below. To reset your password before it expires: Sign […]
The print process will generate a Portable Document Format (PDF) file which can be viewed, printed, or saved. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. Online program users: For the security of your personal information, a printed or digital copy of your TaxAct Online return is available only by signing into your account and printing or saving […]
How to Enter Data Directly onto a Form in TaxAct Desktop and Professional Editions If you’re using TaxAct Desktop or Professional Editions, you can enter data directly into forms using Forms View. Here’s how to navigate and input data effectively: Accessing Forms View: From within your TaxAct return, click Forms in the options bar to open the Forms Explorer (if not already visible). […]
The data entry fields are color coded to indicate the type of field it is. There are three types of fields, user entry fields (green), calculated fields (blue) and overridden fields (red). Calculated fields (displayed in blue) are fields in which the program has calculated the data. The data could be text, a number or a […]
Steps to Check for Program Updates: Open your TaxAct program. Click Online in the upper menu bar. Select Check for Updates from the dropdown menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to select and install the federal or state updates you need. NOTE: This process verifies and installs the latest program updates. Your data will remain intact and will not be lost during the update.
At this time, there are no plans to release a TaxAct Desktop product for Mac operating systems. However, Mac users can still complete their tax returns by using TaxAct Online Products, which are fully compatible with most modern web browsers. For details on supported browsers and system compatibility, please visit our System Requirements page.
Installing a State: If you have already purchased a state return, Sign in to your TaxAct account online. Click Orders and Downloads. Click Download next to the state/return-type you want.* Open your Downloads folder to locate the state file you downloaded (the file name is ta[last two digits of tax year][state abbreviation][form number].exe. For example, a […]
The TaxAct® Online program operates on our servers, so you don’t need to install software or run updates on your computer. Adding a State to Your Return:If you need to add a state after completing the Federal Q&A: Access the State Section In your TaxAct Online return, Click State, then select Add State. On smaller devices, tap the menu (?) in the top left […]
To generate and save your return as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, follow these steps: Ensure Adobe Acrobat Reader is Installed You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, print, or save your tax return. Access the Print Center in TaxAct Open your TaxAct return (Online). Click the Print Center dropdown. Select Return from the menu. Specify the Number of Copies In the Federal Copies field, enter […]
Copies of tax returns from some prior years are available through your TaxAct Account Online. See Printing Your Return and Individual Forms for details on printing a PDF of your return. Go to our Access Prior Year Tax Returns webpage for more Online and Desktop information. For help accessing your returns, go to: Consumer Editions – Locating Return […]
Online Navigation Instructions From within your TaxAct return, click the Print Center dropdown, then click Return (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Print Center). Click the data entry field below Federal Copies and type the amount you want, then click the data entry field below State Copies […]
If a page fails to load or you experience difficulties signing in to your account, it can be caused by your web browser cache (temporary browsing data for helping pages load more quickly the next time you access them). Clearing your cache will most likely resolve the issue. Before clearing your cache, close all other […]
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that entities which engage in an activities that are financial in nature implement certain security practices to ensure customer data is properly protected. One of these requirements is to maintain a log of authorized users’ activity and to watch for unauthorized access. In order to maintain this log, we […]
WebView2 Troubleshooting 1.Log in to machine as AdminUser 2.Navigate to the Download the WebView2 Runtime page on Microsoft’s website and select x64 under Evergreen Standalone Installer 3.Open up a file explorer window (You can click on the yellow folder on your taskbar, or follow the instructions below). 1.Press the Windows Key + R. […]
If you receive an error message when installing WebView2, this may be caused when the update to WebView2 is done by the Managed User and not the Admin User. To correct the error, update as the Admin using the following steps. Log in as Admin User. Navigate to the Download the WebView2 Runtime page on […]
For Windows or JavaScript errors in the program, please follow the instructions below to clear the cache in the TaxAct folder. For program years 2023 and on: Close all versions of TaxAct. You may want to restart your computer or use Task Manager to ensure no versions of TaxAct are running. Open a File Explorer […]
If you use TaxAct® 1065 or 1120-S, you can transfer company accounting records into your corporation or partnership tax return by importing a trial balance report generated from your accounting software. It’s your responsibility (or your preparer’s responsibility) to ensure the accounting records in the CSV file match the appropriate tax line in the TaxAct […]
The Practitioner PIN method allows taxpayers to authorize the Electronic Return Originator (ERO) to enter or generate the taxpayer’s PIN. To set the program to automatically use the Practitioner PIN: From within your TaxAct Professional Edition program, click Preparer in the upper menu bar, hover your mouse over Master Information, then click Preparers. Click the […]
To share software downloads, unlimited or prepaid e-filing, reporting, or services, the Practice Owner has to send an email invitation to another preparer for them to join. The email will include a link for the preparer to create an account or sign into their account, and enter the information provided in the email. To invite […]
Each form you add has the potential to make a major impact on your overall return. In order to help maintain the accuracy of a return, there is not a way to downgrade the product used. If you believe you chose the more complex form in error, you may choose to start over by adding […]
Switching to TaxAct Professional Editions is EASY! With our Data Conversion feature, you can directly convert prior year individual (1040) returns prepared by the following: Intuit ProSeries (Professional & Basic) TaxSlayer Pro TaxWise You can also create PDFs of prior year individual (1040) returns by importing data from returns prepared by the following: ATX CrossLink […]
In TaxAct® Online and Desktop editions, you can add line item information to a field. This is useful if you need to add several numbers together to figure the total amount to enter on a particular form, or if you would like to add comments to a given field. Note. For Online returns, first click […]
A PDF (short for Portable Document Format) is a common type of file that displays documents as they will appear when printed. Even if the document contains complex forms and tables, the PDF will look the same when viewed or printed from any computer, regardless of which software program originally created it. With TaxAct®, the […]
Click any link below to go to our checklist for that return. Complete the checklist before completing your TaxAct® return to save time. 1040 Individual Income Tax Return 1065 – Partnership Return 1120S – S Corporation Return 1120 – C Corporation Return 1041 Estates & Trusts 990 – Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
The TaxAct® program imports limited information from the PDF file of your prior year return in order to ensure our $100k Accuracy Guarantee and Maximum Refund Guarantee. Data from a prior year return PDF that was created in a different tax program will be different from a TaxAct prior year return PDF, and TaxAct will […]
When you print your entire return (not just an individual form or schedule), all necessary supporting documents will be printed.
Although TaxAct® provides the ability for desktop users of the product to override fields in the return if they wish, numerous Alerts are generated to warn of the consequences of doing so. The first key pressed to change a field that would be considered an override (changing a calculation made by the program) triggers a […]
Although entering zero (0) in a number entry field may appear as a blank field, it is treated by the program as a zero.
If there are spaces remaining in any of the fields, the TaxAct desktop program interprets those spaces as data (even though you do not see any letters or numbers in that field). To ensure empty fields don’t have spaces in them: From within your TaxAct return (Desktop or Professional), click the data entry field (if a […]
For forms that cannot be opened directly, a list of schedules or worksheets that must be completed first will pop up. The information you enter on those forms will flow back to populate the form you desire.
When information is imported from a prior year return, all previous depreciation amounts and assets are automatically put into the current year return. You will need to verify and edit your depreciable assets if any have been sold or taken out of service. The asset description, date placed in service, asset type, cost, method, life, […]
When information is imported from a prior year return, all previous depreciation data and assets are automatically inserted into the current year return (the asset description, date placed in service, asset type, cost, method, life, convention, section 179 expense, and prior depreciation are included). You will need to verify and edit your depreciable assets if […]
TaxAct® is pleased to offer the Donation Assistant to assist taxpayers in determining the proper valuation of donated items and conform to the new IRS requirement for valuing donated items. The Donation Assistant uses valuations from CUCV, Inc (Certified Used Clothing Values) that are obtained from annual surveys of consignment and thrift stores throughout the […]
A yellow alert indicates that you may or may not need to take any additional action. It is informational only and does not indicate any errors on the return. The alert continues to generate so that you may go back and change your entry if need be. However, once you are satisfied with your entry, […]
The TaxAct online products require the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or version 13 or higher of Safari. TaxAct desktop products require Windows 10 or higher. Go to our TaxAct System Requirements webpage for details.
TaxAct provides tools to help you plan for next year’s tax return. To access the planning tools: From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Next Year (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Next Year). Continue with the interview process to prepare for next year. Planning tools […]
The TaxAct® Desktop and Professional Editions programs can automatically attach state returns for state modules that were installed on your computer. If you don’t need to file for a state that was attached to your return, you can choose not to file for the state and skip the interview questions for that state. You may […]
You can install TaxAct on one additional computer (example: home laptop and office computer) for the purpose of completing your income tax return. The TaxAct program will only work on one computer at a time, and you will only be able to file the returns that you have paid for. Once you have purchased a […]
If you receive a “Tax Act Final Version Not Found” error when attempting to install a TaxAct® Desktop state module, the error message is most likely caused by one of these issues: The Federal program needs to be installed first. Sign in to your TaxAct Account online, click Orders and Downloads, then download and install the […]
TaxAct® provides tools to help you plan for next year’s tax return. To access the planning tools: From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Next Year (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Next Year). Continue with the interview process to prepare for next year. Let’s […]
If your browser locks when you try to view a PDF document, tell Adobe Reader to launch the PDF in a new window instead of the same browser window. If you need help editing these settings, go to the Adobe Acrobat Learn & Support webpage. Note that any link in the information above is updated […]
Go to our TaxAct System Requirements webpage to make sure your system is compatible with our programs. Disable all pop-up blockers. If you need help printing, go to our Printing Your Return and Individual Forms FAQ. The TaxAct program creates a PDF when you click Print. In order to view or print this file, you […]
Follow the steps below to select one or more states for your return. You must complete the steps again if you want to add states to another return. After installing a state, from within your TaxAct return (Desktop or Professional), click Return in the upper menu bar, hover your mouse over State, then click Add/Remove State. In the window […]
If the donations entered into the Donation Assistant do not print after you have printed your tax return, you can print them from within the Donation Assistant. To print the donations entered, open the Donation Assistant through the Q&A (if you need help opening Donation Assistant, go to our Donation Assistant FAQ). Click Print Summary […]
