TaxSlayer’s online platform stands out for its affordable pricing structure. Its straightforward setup appeals to those who are comfortable preparing their own returns without paying a premium. The platform also offers a no-cost option, and its highest plan is capped at $72.95 before optional upgrades. The provider does not offer a desktop program.
Meanwhile, TurboTax Online delivers a more guided and detailed filing experience, ideal for users who have intricate financial scenarios and prefer desktop software. Though it comes with a steeper price tag (reaching up to $209 before extras), it’s well-suited if you want extra support and intuitive navigation throughout the process. A free version is also available for basic filings.
Quick comparison of TaxSlayer vs TurboTax
| Best for | Confident filers and self-employed individuals seeking budget-friendly tax software | Filers wanting step-by-step guidance and access to expert support |
| Pricing | ||
| Free trial | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Free federal return for active duty military | ||
| Data import | ||
| Schedule C for sole proprietors and SMLLCs | ||
| S-corp and partnership returns | ||
Pricing: TaxSlayer wins
For taxpayers seeking comprehensive features at a lower cost, I recommend TaxSlayer, which offers a budget-friendly approach to tax preparation. Its Classic and Premium plans support a wide range of tax situations for under $63. TurboTax’s comparable offerings start at higher prices, with Premier costing $89.
While TurboTax excels in user experience, offering intuitive navigation and strong customer support, these advantages come with a higher price tag. Therefore, if you prioritize affordability and don’t want to sacrifice key features, TaxSlayer is the more cost-effective choice.
TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer offers taxpayers four plans for filing.
| Form 1040 only | Simple tax situations; includes Form 1040 with limited credits | |||
| Form 1040 with Schedules 1-3 | Various tax situations; supports all major IRS forms and schedules, including Schedules 1-3 | |||
| Form 1040 with rental property, investments, or crypto | Those seeking priority support, live chat, and access to a tax professional; includes all features of Classic | |||
| Form 1040 with self-employed income | Freelancers, contractors, and small business owners; offers guidance on business deductions and includes all Premium's features |
TurboTax
| Form 1040 only | Simple tax situations with W-2 income and limited credits | ||||
| Form 1040 with Schedules 1-3 | Those claiming deductions like mortgage interest and student loan interest | ||||
| Form 1040 with rental property, investments, or crypto | Investors and rental property owners | ||||
| Form 1040 with self-employed income | Freelancers, contractors, and small business owners | ||||
| Full-service individual filing (Form 1065/1120) | Filers needing full preparation and filing by a tax expert; pricing increases with complexity | ||||
| Form 1040 with Schedules 1-3 | Those needing 5 federal e-files and 1 state download (included in plan); state e-file sold separately | ||||
| Form 1040 with rental property, investments, or crypto | Those needing 5 federal e-files and 1 state download (included in plan); state e-file sold separately |
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| Form 1040 with self-employed income | Those needing 5 federal e-files and 1 state download (included in plan); state e-file sold separately | ||||
| Business returns (Forms 1120, 1120S, or 1065) | Corporations, S-corps, and partnerships | ||||
| Full-service business filing (Form 1065/1120) | Filers needing a tax expert to handle the entire business filing process |
Features: TurboTax wins
Audit assistance and protection: TurboTax wins
While TaxSlayer offers useful support, TurboTax stands out for combining free audit help with the option to add full representation. That makes it the stronger choice for audit protection.
It offers more complete audit support than TaxSlayer. It includes free one-on-one help through its Audit Support Guarantee to guide you in handling IRS notices. For full audit representation, you can purchase TurboTax’s Audit Defense, which covers communication with the IRS on your behalf.
Meanwhile, TaxSlayer’s Premium and Self-Employed plans include audit help for up to three years. This includes reviewing IRS letters and helping prepare responses. However, it doesn’t offer full representation during an audit.
Customer support tools: Tie
Although TurboTax may offer more support options upfront, TaxSlayer matches many of those features at its upper tiers. In the end, both platforms offer reliable help resources, making this comparison a tie.
TurboTax offers a wide range of customer support tools. You can access a searchable help center, community forums, and connect with tax professionals through TurboTax Live. Phone support is also available, which is helpful for resolving more complex questions.
TaxSlayer provides strong support as well. If you subscribe to a Premium or Self-Employed plan, you’ll get a knowledge base, email and phone support, and live chat with tax pros. Priority support with faster response times is included in the higher-tier plans.
Mobile app: TurboTax wins
Both apps support mobile filing, but TurboTax’s delivers a more feature-rich and convenient experience and offers more advanced tools. You can file up to 30% faster than on the web version and enjoy features like biometric login, photo capture for tax documents, and syncing across devices. It also sends filing reminders and lets you track refunds.
TaxSlayer’s app, on the other hand, covers the basics. It allows W-2 import, refund estimates, and access to tax help articles. It works across devices and is easy to use, but it lacks extras like biometric login and live expert help.
Deduction and credit finder: TurboTax wins
Both help you claim deductions, but the automation and guided process of TurboTax make it faster and more intuitive. It makes finding deductions and credits easy. Its Deduction Maximizer scans over 350 tax breaks and walks you through each step. TurboTax’s platform also asks personalized questions about things like homeownership and education to uncover savings. It also updates in real time to reflect the latest tax laws.
In contrast, TaxSlayer takes a more hands-on approach wherein you manually enter deduction details using the Deductions Menu. And while TaxSlayer supports common breaks like education credits and retirement contributions, it doesn’t offer automated scanning like TurboTax.
Data import: TurboTax wins
TurboTax has broader import options and a smoother process, making it the better choice for faster, easier tax filing. It offers stronger data import tools, allowing you to import W-2 and 1099 forms directly from many employers and banks. It also supports importing prior year data and PDFs from other tax software, which helps reduce errors and speeds up filing.
Meanwhile, TaxSlayer includes basic import features. It allows W-2 and 1099 uploads and pulls in prior year data. However, it often requires manual entry or CSV uploads, which can slow things down if you have more complex returns.
Use cases
Choose Taxslayer if you
- Are confident in preparing your own taxes and need a more affordable solution without sacrificing core features
- Want IRS forms (including Schedules C, D, and E) available at a lower-tier plan
- Seek multi-year audit assistance built into the price of higher-tier plans
- Are a self-employed filer who wants straightforward tools for claiming business deductions
- Prefer minimal upselling and a cleaner filing process with fewer upgrade prompts
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Choose TurboTax if you
- Require step-by-step guidance tailored to your personal tax situation
- Prefer having access to on-demand tax professionals throughout the filing process
- Plan to file from your phone and want a mobile app with advanced tools like document scanning
- Are navigating complex deductions and want automated help finding every possible tax break
- Are willing to pay more for a polished, highly intuitive interface with advanced help options
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My methodology
When comparing TurboTax vs TaxSlayer, I focused on the core elements that affect the overall user experience, especially for individual taxpayers and self-employed filers. The goal was to compare technical details and identify which software delivers the best balance of value, usability, and support across different tax scenarios.
Here are the key criteria I used:
- Pricing and overall value: I reviewed the cost of each plan, including base pricing, free filing options, and any additional fees for state returns or added support.
- Form support and filing flexibility: Each platform was assessed for how well it handles a range of tax forms and situations, such as investment income, self-employment, and itemized deductions.
- Ease of use and interface: I evaluated how intuitive and user-friendly the platforms are for both beginners and experienced filers. This included navigation, guided assistance, and the ease of completing and filing a return without confusion.
- Mobile tools and accessibility: I tested the mobile apps and assessed whether users can complete a full return from their phone or tablet. Features like document scanning, refund tracking, and device syncing were factored in.
- Customer support and audit help: Customer support options (e.g., live chat, expert access, and audit assistance) were compared based on availability, responsiveness, and whether support tools are built into each plan or require an upgrade.
- Tax guidance and deduction help: I examined how effectively each platform helps users identify deductions and tax credits. This included built-in tools, guided questions, and whether the software adjusts in real time based on user input.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I switch between TaxSlayer and TurboTax if I’ve already started my return on one?
Yes, you can switch platforms mid-process, but you’ll likely need to start over. While TurboTax allows PDF file imports from previous tax software, partially completed returns can’t be transferred. TaxSlayer doesn’t support importing in-progress returns, either, so switching after you’ve started requires manually re-entering your data.
Do either of the platforms support non-resident or dual-status tax filings?
No. Neither TaxSlayer nor TurboTax Online currently supports Form 1040-NR for non-resident aliens or dual-status tax situations through their standard platforms.
Which platform is better for filing taxes across multiple states?
TurboTax handles multi-state returns better by using more intuitive prompts and automatically allocating income between states. While TaxSlayer supports multiple state filings, it may require more manual input.
How do refund options compare between TaxSlayer and TurboTax?
Both offer multiple refund options, including direct deposit, check by mail, or applying your refund to next year’s taxes. TurboTax, however, also allows users to receive their refund on a prepaid debit card or to use a portion to purchase Amazon gift cards with a bonus incentive. TaxSlayer keeps it simple but effective, sticking to traditional refund methods.
