Best tax software for 2013

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Taxes Tax Planning. By Michael Kurko. Michael Kurko has over 15 years of experience writing and editing for a variety of publications including Investopedia, Fit Small Business, U. News and World Report, and more. His expertise lies in insurance, small business marketing and technology, and finance.

Michael graduated from Hartwick College with a bachelor's in English. Learn about our editorial policies. Reviewed by Ebony J. She has been in the accounting, audit, and tax profession for more than 13 years, working with individuals and a variety of companies in the health care, banking, and accounting industries.

Learn about our Financial Review Board. Fact checked by Madeline Simpson. Maddy Simpson is a journalist based in St. She studied at journalism and finance at Bethel University, and worked as a financial analyst at a consulting firm before attending Columbia Journalism School.

She's worked on projects at the Columbia Journalism Review, Detroit Free Press, and currently is a fact checker and reporter at various publications. Best Tax Software Programs. Final Verdict. Compare Providers. Best Overall : TurboTax.

Sign Up Now. Why We Chose It. Cons Limited tax support unless you pay Expensive state filing fees Most expensive plan overall. Cons Limited tax support unless you pay More expensive than some competitors. Best Value : TaxSlayer. Pros Free filing for all tax returns Imports from other tax software Free audit defense support. Best Support : Jackson Hewitt. Cons Limited tax support unless you pay Only imports past Jackson Hewitt returns.

Best Accuracy Guarantee : TaxAct. Pros Import from most popular tax software Highest accuracy guarantee reimbursement Online or downloadable software. Cons Limited support for free plan No audit support. Methodology We looked at close to a dozen tax software programs for this review. Article Sources. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for TheBalance. We promise to publish credible information we have as soon as we have it, throughout a product's life cycle, from its first public announcement to any potential recall or emergence of a competing device.

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We ask that you inform us whenever you find an error, spot a gap in our coverage, or have any other suggestions for improvement. Readers are part of the CNET family, and the strength of that relationship is the ultimate test of our success. Find out more here. The right tax software can help you claim missing stimulus and child tax credit payments, while maximizing your return. The tax season could prove to be a headache with a new batch of rules regarding paid sick leave , unemployment insurance , stimulus check income and home office deductions.

That means the tax filing process may require more preparation than previous years. Many of the top tax software programs can handle complex tax situations, but you'll want to use the one that meets your particular needs and budget. But if your income is higher, or you have a complicated tax situation -- including having to itemize deductions or account for changes in your household -- you might opt for a more intuitive tax software platform to help streamline the process.

We've reviewed some of the best tax software below, with details on how to use them and how much they cost. Here are our top picks. Read more: These are the 13 best tax deductions to look forward to in TurboTax by Intuit is the clear front-runner for good reason. The software combines tax expertise and an easy user experience with an accessible interface. The technical setup is easy: Enter your information, import your tax documents and access your past TurboTax returns when needed. If your employer uses QuickBooks -- or if you're self-employed and manage your finances with QuickBooks -- your tax forms may already be available in Intuit, saving you a step.

TurboTax guides you through the process by asking straightforward questions, and never asks for information you've already given or that doesn't relate to your particular situation. If a question is confusing or you need clarification, you can easily access additional information. You can also exit the process at any time and pick back up where you left off if you log onto your account from any device. Plus the Deluxe fee is less than you might pay for an accountant.

If you know you won't qualify for deductions or credits, stick with the free version. TurboTax Premier is specifically designed for taxpayers with real estate, while TurboTax Self-Employed will help sole proprietors, freelancers and gig workers maximize their deductions. You can even enlist the help of a tax professional or CPA with TurboTax Live, which can supplement any of the company's software offerings.

TurboTax Audit Defense is available to offer audit protection and assistance, via a partnership with TaxAudit. The comprehensive benefits that come with TurboTax may cost more than other tax software, but the peace of mind you'll receive could be worth the price tag.

That makes it a perfect fit for filers without complicated tax situations who don't want to pay, including students and recent grads. The overall process is not as smooth as TurboTax, but it's still a well-designed, interview-style system that guides you and sidesteps potential mistakes.

The Help screens and extra information are useful, though not always as easy to access as with TurboTax. You can even import the prior year's income tax returns from other platforms by uploading a PDF of your previous year's return or importing your TurboTax data file.

One drawback with virtual filing is that you won't receive in-person support from a tax professional if you end up getting audited unless you pay for a higher tier of service.

If you're worried about something going wrong in the tax-filing process, Jackson Hewitt Online is your best option. You can opt for the Basic, Deluxe or Platinum tier of the Worry-Free Guarantee plan, which promises to reimburse you if you end up receiving a reduced refund or face additional tax liabilities.

Both the Deluxe and Platinum tiers also offer restoration assistance that help if your identity is stolen and a tax return is filed on your behalf.

The Platinum tier includes Audit Security support with a dedicated specialist who will manage and represent your case. Check out our FAQ below for more information on the likelihood of being audited and the factors that could increase your risk.

Tax prep software reviews. It also is one of the most expensive. The best tax software to use in In , nearly million individual tax returns were filed by Americans — and million of those were filed electronically. When choosing free tax software , why not go right to the source? Every year, millions of taxpayers use Free File to quickly, safely and accurately complete their returns. TurboTax receives consistently high marks from users, who appreciate its easy-to-use interface.

The free version of this popular software includes many of the same features that are included in the paid editions.