TaxAct’s VITA offer is valid in the following states: Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Hampshire New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island […]
The New York City Department of Finance (NYC DoF) has made changes to the calculation of Form NYC-1127 related to certain school tax credits. Form NYC-1127 filers are no longer permitted to claim the following credits on Schedule B: Line A1 – NYC School Tax Credit (fixed amount) Line A2 – NYC School Tax Credit […]
How do I access TaxAct tools in Claude? You can connect Claude to TaxAct using TaxAct’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Once connected, you can explore filing options, compare costs for your situation, and get guided help in chat—similar to working with TaxAct from your browser, without leaving Claude. Watch the video TaxAct in Claude […]
TaxAct is committed to protecting your tax information. We partner with the IRS, state tax administrators, and other software providers to prevent tax and identity fraud. As part of this effort, we implement advanced security measures, including: Strong password requirements Email address verification Account lockouts after multiple failed sign-in attempts Trusted device and IP address […]
For tax purposes, travel expenses are the ordinary and necessary expenses of traveling away from home for your business, profession, or job. An ordinary expense is one that is typical and widely accepted in your line of work. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for running your business. It does not […]
To create a TaxAct account, follow the steps below. From the TaxAct Home Page, click Create Account in the upper right-hand corner. Enter your email address and a mobile phone number. NOTE: You cannot create a new account using an email address or phone number that is already linked to another account. If you have […]
You can manage your data within your TaxAct account by removing returns or submitting a privacy request to delete certain personal information. Removing a Tax Return (Individual) Important Notes: Once a return is deleted, it cannot be restored. You cannot delete a return if: It has already been e-filed or printed. An extension has been e-filed […]
In tax year 2025, TaxAct partnered with Protection Plus to include audit assistance with your purchase of select TaxAct software packages – see https://www.taxact.com/audit-defense for details. You can also purchase Audit Defense, without a bundle, by selecting to add it during the filing steps. After enrolling, you will received an email to Activate your Protection Plus […]
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, […]
To upgrade to a different TaxAct product, follow the steps below. Steps vary depending on whether you use the Online or Desktop program. Online Dashboards Open your TaxAct return. In the navigation pane on the left, click Resources. Under My Return, click the Upgrade Options tile. Locate the name of the TaxAct software you’d like to […]
TaxAct offers separate online and desktop consumer business programs for businesses registered as a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, or S-Corporation. We offer two online or desktop purchase options for the federal business programs: as a separate product or in a bundle with our 1040 product. Sole Proprietorship is not offered as a bundle because is […]
As TaxAct Federal editions are updated, details will be added below to highlight what’s new in each release. See https://www.taxact.com/forms for forms availability. 1040 Edition – 2025 Limitations Form 1062 – Deferral of Tax on Gain From the Sale or Exchange of Qualified Farmland Property to Qualified Farmers not released. Prevents e-file and printing. Changes […]
If you receive a special offer for discount pricing on a TaxAct product that has a link, you must click the special offer link provided in the message. Discounts will not be applied if you skip this step. After clicking the link, register for a new account or sign in to your existing account, as applicable, […]
After selecting the appropriate TaxAct product for your tax situation, you’ll need to pay the associated fee. This is different from a balance due (taxes owed) on the actual federal or state return. Online Program Fees Visit the Online DIY Tax Filing page for product and pricing details. You can pay using a credit or […]
You must determine how much of your auto registration or license fees is deductible. Only the portion of the fee that is based on the value of the vehicle qualifies. Fees based on weight, model, year, or horsepower are not deductible. Qualifying auto registration fees are deductible as personal property taxes and are reported on […]
Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses, can be claimed only by Armed Forces reservists, qualified performing artists, fee-basis state or local government officials, and employees with impairment-related work expenses. To file Form 2106 for Armed Forces reservists, qualified performing artists, fee-basis state or local government officials, follow these steps. Online Dashboard From within your TaxAct return, click […]
To determine if settlement amounts you receive by compromise or judgment must be included in your income, you must consider the item that the settlement replaces. You may be able to deduct expenses from that income. See IRS Publication 525 for details. To report this in the TaxAct program, follow the steps in Deducting unlawful […]
If you’ve spent money on attorney fees or court costs related to a claim of unlawful discrimination, you may be able to claim a deduction for those expenses on the tax return that you file with TaxAct. Before starting, consult Publication 525 to determine if you can claim a deduction of this type. If you […]
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 […]
If you are attempting to select a student for the Student Worksheet, and you are not seeing any options other than “None Selected,” you may be missing basic information for the taxpayer, spouse or dependent. A student will not populate in this drop-down unless you have completed information for a taxpayer, spouse, and/or dependent (most […]
To get back to the TaxAct Q&A Interview, follow the steps below. Online Dashboards From within your TaxAct return, click Resources. On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. Under the My Return section, select Federal Search. Below Step-by-Step Guidance, click Get Started. From 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, so you can accurately determine the value of your donated items and maximize your deduction. Follow the steps […]
If you need to change your name, Social Security number (SSN), date of birth, or other basic information, follow these steps. 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, […]
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 […]
You can choose to enroll with our Audit Defense partner when you file your return. FAQ: 21939
TaxAct is excited to offer live support calls with tax experts. For details about this program, see the Terms of Service. To schedule a call with one of our tax experts or to find out more about this program, go to our TaxAct Xpert Help webpage.
Interference from a security software is the most likely cause of peculiar behavior after TaxAct updates or installations. Security software programs may incorrectly interpret modification of the TaxAct program’s main .exe file as malicious behavior, and quarantine program files. If program files are removed or otherwise not accessible, the TaxAct program will not function as […]
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 […]
If you’ve signed up for Tax Protection Plus program but have decided you no longer wish to use it, you can remove it from your account. Note: If you remove Tax Protection Plus from your account within 30 days of your purchase, you’ll receive a full refund. If you remove Tax Protection Plus from […]
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.
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 […]
You can create a new return in TaxAct using the following methods: TaxAct Desktop: Press Ctrl + N on your keyboard. TaxAct Online: Click Add a 20XX Return and then select Start for Free under your preferred option.
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 […]
You can add more than one return to your TaxAct account. Steps vary depending on whether you use TaxAct online, or on your desktop. Online Instructions Sign in to your TaxAct Account online. Select My Tax Returns. Click Add a 20YY Return. Click Start New Individual Return or Select Business Type. If you aren’t sure which […]
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 […]
In tax year 2025, TaxAct partnered with Tax Protection Plus to offer full-service audit assistance for when your tax return is audited or questioned. This can happen even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Protection Plus covers your tax return for three full years and provides assistance with both Federal and State audits. If you receive […]
To start a new return for the current year: Sign in to your TaxAct Account online. Click Add New 20YY Return. Click on Start New Individual Return or Select Business Type depending on the return type you wish to start. Related Links Access Current or Prior Year Return Consumer Product Offerings Start a Current Year Return […]
If you downloaded the TaxAct program but the installation won’t start when you click the [filename].exe, the file may have been corrupted during download. To resolve this issue, Delete the corrupted file from your downloads folder. If you need help finding your downloads folder, visit our Finding Download to Install FAQ. Basic Troubleshooting Steps After deleting the file, […]
After you click Download to download the TaxAct program, the [filename].exe should appear at the bottom of your screen. If the file does not appear at the bottom of your screen, try one of these options: Check your browser downloads. From within your browser, use your keyboard to press Ctrl + J, and you can […]
You cannot combine or merge multiple TaxAct accounts into one. If you have multiple accounts, you need to keep track of which returns you have created in each account. If you want individual help figuring out which returns you created in each account, go to our Contact TaxAct Service & Support webpage. If you want […]
The TaxAct® early access program allows you to get a head start on your taxes. If you used TaxAct last year, you can import your data into this year’s return to save time. Go to our Import Last Year’s Return Using TaxAct Desktop FAQ for more information. You can also enter preliminary tax information to […]
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 […]
While we strongly recommend navigating through the entire Q&A at least once, TaxAct allows you to bookmark the exact page you are on in the Q&A so that you can easily revisit topics or screens of your choosing. To use the bookmark feature: Click the bookmark icon next to the screen title (the icon will change […]
TaxAct customers can update information within their TaxAct account and tax returns by signing into their account here: https://www.taxact.com/auth/ Important: To the extent your request relates to tax return information, such information cannot be modified after e-filing — unless the IRS rejects your e-filed tax return, or you file a later amendment. TaxAct provides various […]
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 […]
You only need to complete Form 8958 Allocation of Tax Amounts Between Certain Individuals in Community Property States if you were domiciled in a community property state. Community property laws only apply to those who are actually domiciled in the state. Per IRS Publication 555 Community Property, page 2: Domicile The law of the state, […]
IRS Publication 5137 Fringe Benefit Guide can help you understand the tax treatment of employee benefits. Contents Introduction Reporting and Withholding on Fringe Benefits Working Condition Fringe Benefits De Minimis Fringe Benefits No-Additional-Cost Services Qualified Employee Discounts Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits Health and Medical Benefits Travel Expenses Transportation Expenses Moving Expenses Meals and Lodging Reimbursements […]
In order to deduct your ground rent on leased land, you must first meet the following tests: The ground lease is for at least 15 years, including renewal periods, The land lease is freely assignable to the buyer of the home, The land owner’s interest is primarily a security interest (similar to a mortgage), and […]
If your return is rejected due to Rule Number IND-903, this message is coming directly from the IRS and TaxAct® is not provided any specifics as to why your return is being rejected. We suggest you contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to determine what the issue is. Once you have details, please let us know […]
If your return is rejected due to Rule Number IND-943, this message is coming directly from the IRS and TaxAct® is not provided any specifics as to why your return is being rejected. We suggest you contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to determine what the issue is. Once you have details, please let us know […]
At this time, the TaxAct® programs do not include tracking and/or organizing features. Our recommendation would be to use whichever business or personal software that you are most comfortable with for tracking your expenses through the year, then using the totals at year end for entry into the TaxAct program. Please feel free to submit […]
In the TaxAct® programs, the fields calculated by the program may appear as either green or blue in the desktop program and are either able to be changed or not able to be changed in the Q&A Interview section of the program. The blue amounts (or those amounts not able to be modified in the […]
Per IRS Publication 525 Taxable and Nontaxable Income, page 22: Surrender of policy for cash. If you surrender a life insurance policy for cash, you must include in income any proceeds that are more than the cost of the life insurance policy. In most cases, your cost (or investment in the contract)is the total of […]
If you have a TaxAct account and would like to speak to our Customer Service and Support team, call us at 319-373-3600.
Deductible fees related to home ownership are limited to home mortgage interest and certain real estate taxes, which are itemized deductions on Federal Schedule A (Form 1040) Itemized Deductions. As explained below, these deductible fees do not include Homeowners’ Assessment fees you pay to a Homeowner’s Association. Per IRS Publication 530 Tax Information for Homeowners, […]
There are special rules that apply only to Armed Forces reservists, government officials who are paid on a fee basis, performing artists, and disabled employees with impairment-related work expenses. Taxpayers who qualify under these special rules can claim unreimbursed employee expenses on Form 2106 Employee Business Expenses. These expenses can then be taken as an […]
With certain types of property, it may be beneficial for the taxpayer to capitalize expenses rather than to deduct those expenses. If the election is made, the taxpayer would not report any of the expenses on their tax return. Instead, the taxpayer will adjust their cost basis in the property. If eligible to make an […]
Per the IRS Issues for Firefighters webpage: Firefighters This discussion addresses some of the common questions we receive from firefighters and their employing organizations. Compensation Generally, tax laws apply to firefighters in the same manner as for other types of workers. It does not matter whether firefighters are termed “volunteers”, are considered employees, or are […]
Per IRS Publication 575 Pension and Annuity Income, page 5: Qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). A QDRO is a judgment, decree, or order relating to payment of child support, alimony, or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant in a retirement plan. The QDRO must contain certain […]
Per IRS Publication 970 Tax Benefits for Education, page 38 What is the tax benefit of the Coverdell ESA? Contributions to a Coverdell ESA aren’t deductible, but amounts deposited in the account grow tax free until distributed. If, for a year, distributions from an account aren’t more than a designated beneficiary’s adjusted qualified […]
To submit feedback on our products, go to our product suggestion webpage using the links below. Your feedback is appreciated and will be reviewed by the development team. If you have feedback for us, go to our TaxAct Product Suggestion webpage. If you have feedback, and you need real-time help, go to our Contact TaxAct Service & […]
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
Although entering zero (0) in a number entry field may appear as a blank field, it is treated by the program as a zero.
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.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) worksheet in the TaxAct® program is only used if you choose to print the worksheet for help completing the application on the FAFSA website. If you do not choose to print the worksheet, it will have no effect on your tax return. By default, the worksheet starts […]
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 […]
For help with your TaxAct Online or Desktop program, go to our Contact TaxAct Service & Support webpage. For help with your TaxAct Professional program, go to our TaxAct Professional Support webpage.
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 […]
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 […]
What is the PCI Secure Software Standard? The PCI Secure Software Standard provides a set of security requirements as well as assessment procedures for performing PCI Secure Software Assessments. The Secure Software Assessor training covers the PCI Secure Software Requirements and Assessment Procedures (PCI Secure Software Standard). What is the Validated Payment Software list maintained by […]
