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Downloading and Installing TaxAct

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 […]

“Not Released” Download Message After Purchase

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 […]

Running Program Updates

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.

Macintosh Version Availability

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.

Install/Update a State – TaxAct Desktop

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 […]

Clearing Browser Cache

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 […]

What Do I Need to File?

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

Overridden Values and Alerts for Overridden Fields

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 […]

System Requirements

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 Final Version Not Found” During State Install

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 […]

Installing TaxAct on Multiple Computers

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 […]

Desktop Program Selecting States For Multiple Returns

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 […]