TaxSlayer's $0 plan is for anyone with simple taxes and includes free federal and state returns

• TaxSlayer is a tax preparation company that offers four plans: Simply Free, Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed. It's a solid option for Tax Day 2020.
• TaxSlayer's Simply Free plan is just that - free. You can file simple federal and state returns for $0.
• It can be difficult to skip around on the website and to access certain customer service features, making TaxSlayer a good option for people who are already comfortable with the e-filing process.
• Use TaxSlayer to file your simple state and federal returns for free »

Filing your taxes can be a bit like your first trip to the gym - you don't want to spend the money, you aren't sure how everything works, and you keep putting it off. But if you use the right equipment, the process isn't as terrible as you expected.

TaxSlayer is a tax preparation company for people filing their taxes online from home. But does it include the right equipment for your tax needs?

The basics of TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer was founded in 1965 and runs out of Augusta, Georgia.

It's easy to set up an account with TaxSlayer. Visit the website, choose from TaxSlayer's four plans based on your life circumstances, set a username and password, and you're good to go.

You don't enter your payment information until the end of the process. This means that if you realize halfway through filing that you don't want to use TaxSlayer, you can quit with pretty much zero hassle.

TaxSlayer pricing

Which of the four TaxSlayer plans is right for you? It depends on your employment situation, life circumstances, and customer support preferences. Active service members can file federal returns for free with any of the plans below.

Here are your options:

Simply Free: $0 for federal returns, $0 for state returns. The Simply Free plan is for simple returns, including returns for single people, married couples, and students.

Classic: $17 for federal returns, $29 for state returns. TaxSlayer says this is its most popular plan because it can be used for almost any tax situation.

Premium: $37 for federal returns, $29 for state returns. With a Premium plan, you have access to advanced customer support features. This is great for people with complicated situations who need a little help along the way.

Self-Employed: $47 for federal returns, $29 for state returns. If you're self-employed, you know that your tax situation is unique. The Self-Employed plan includes features suited to your tax needs and provides education for how to claim deductions and credits.

TaxSlayer's free version is truly free

Some tax software companies advertise a free version, but in reality, only the federal return is free - you still pay for state returns. Even FreeTaxUSA, software with the word "free" in the name, charges for state returns at every level. However, TaxSlayer's simple plan is free at both levels.

In years past, many other big-name companies have offered free federal returns and state returns at a price. For 2020, however, companies including H&R Block, TurboTax, and TaxAct have all introduced truly free plans like the Simply Free option from TaxSlayer.

Keep in mind that TaxSlayer offers one free state return with its Simply Free plan. If you need to file more than one, it's $29 per additional return.

TaxSlayer's Simply Free plan includes features that competing software doesn't. For example, Simply Free grants you access to prior years' tax returns, even if you used to file with a different company. TurboTax also offers this option with its Free plan, but with H&R Block and TaxAct, you have to upgrade to access previous returns.

TaxSlayer recently added a new feature to its Simply Free plan: It now covers education credits and student loan deductions. H&R Block's Free version provides these benefits, too, but you'll have to upgrade with TurboTax and TaxAct.

One downside of TaxSlayer's Simply Free plan is that you can't import your W-2 digitally. You'll have to either enter the information manually or upgrade to the Classic plan, even though you can upload a PDF with most competitors' free versions. This isn't necessarily a huge problem, but it is one example of how TaxSlayer can be less convenient than other software.

You'll come across little inconveniences

TaxSlayer does allow you to skip around in the e-filing process. Most competitors allow you to do this, but some smaller companies do not.

However, it's not as easy to skip around with TaxSlayer than with some other software. For example, if you're filling out the Basic Information section, you can't go to the Federal section by clicking on the menu icon. Instead, TaxSlayer requires you to click the "back," "skip," or "continue" buttons on the page. As a result, TaxSlayer isn't quite as easy to use as TaxAct or TurboTax.

TaxSlayer customer support is somewhat limited. Yes, you can access customer service through email or phone with the Simply Free and Classic plans. But to receive live chat support, priority support, or Ask a Pro support, you'll have to upgrade to the Premium or Self-Employed plans.

If you know what you're doing, don't need much assistance, and have all your information ready to go, TaxSlayer is a strong budget option. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with small inconveniences.

Use TaxSlayer to file your simple federal and state returns for free »

• More tax day coverage:
• When are taxes due?
• How to file taxes for 2019
• What is a tax credit?
• H&R Block vs. TurboTax

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