
TaxSlayer Reviews
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About TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer is a tax company that offers four tax preparation plans, including a free option for simple tax returns and paid options for more complex returns. Active military personnel can file their federal and state returns for free without restrictions. Each plan comes with some tax assistance, but the higher levels come with dedicated tax expert help.
- Free filing for military
- 100% accuracy guarantee
- Limited tax expert help
TaxSlayer Reviews
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Reviewed April 14, 2025
I've used this software for 5 years now and it is really not worth paying for. The interface is not helpful and is downright confusing, even for someone like me with like lots of knowledge and experience. It doesn't allow you to do some crucial functions specified in IRS instructions, such as attach a statement to your return to explain a recharacterization (on Form 8606). The search function within the software is unhelpful / nonexistent. And customer service wait time is ridiculous, only to be met with unhelpful AI and then semi-rude and somewhat unknowledgeable real people. In the end, to be told to print and mail your complex return is the dumbest advice ever. I mean, do these people know anything about the IRS?!
Hi Christine, thank you for being a valued customer over the years. We are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for providing feedback for us to address this concern.
Reviewed April 12, 2025
I just found out Tax(scam)Slayer did not submit my 2023 tax return. Customer nonservice told me they don't submit returns to the IRS. They only have a program to prepare them. They now claim I didn't hit the submit button even though I filled out form 8879 which is an efile signature authorization. I asked to then allow me or them to efile my one year late return which they rejected. I then tried to get a copy of my 2023 return which was not available because (I) never efiled my return, DO NOT USE TAX SLAYER
Hi Gary, thank you for being a TaxSlayer. We understand your frustration, and we are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for giving us your feedback to address this concern, and we hope to see you again next season.
Reviewed April 10, 2025
Worst software I have ever used. It will not allow you to review or print your return until you pay to use the software. Any other software allows you to print it so that you can review it. After paying for the software and printing it, it would not allow me to return to Taxslayer to file it. You have to go to e-file.com to access your return. I did 3 different returns and could not access any of them in Taxslayer. Therefore, I redid them again. I contacted Taxslayer by phone and was told you had to go to e-file.com to access and file. I have never had this issue with any other. Don't use.
Hi Vicki, thank you for being a valued TaxSlayer! We appreciate your feedback, and we are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. We hope to see you next season!
Reviewed March 28, 2025
So bad!!! Ever!!! Didn't file the tax return for me and charge me $50 dollars. I paid the money and still got to do it by myself. I called the customer service to resolve the issue and it was so bad service. It didn't help me with anything. I got so mad! Never use it again!
Hi Yi, thank you for being a valued customer. We are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for providing feedback for us to address this concern.
Reviewed March 26, 2025
First time using Tax Slayer for 2024 tax return after using Turbo Tax for 7 years. After waiting 3 weeks I get a letter from the IRS saying I need to call them to verify my identity. After verifying my identity I waited another 3 weeks and I called them back. The lady said I need to wait up to 9 weeks for my return. This is a horrible experience, and I might be getting my tax return in late May. I will never use tax slayer again. If you are reading this, please don't use them too.
Thank you for being a TaxSlayer. We understand your frustration, and we are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for giving us your feedback to address this concern, and we hope to see you again next season.
Reviewed March 14, 2025
I decided to do my daughter’s tax return which should be very easy. However, had one twist where a company issued a 1099-NEC (nonemployee wages) and this triggered the need for a Sch C. I went w/ the “Guide Me” option and have been stuck in a loop for a long time as the system just tells me something needs to be fixed. Went to use the Chat option they say is an option but there isn’t one.
I would NOT recommend TaxSlayer at all. I’m hoping they resolve my issue and I don’t have to go and use TurboTax or another option. I guess I should have let my CPA handle as this “free” software, which hit me for a charge for some reason I can’t explain and processed that before me being able to eFile as this tool has cost me untold hours trying to resolve this issue.
Hi Bill, we understand your frustration, and we'd like to assist. Please give our customer support team a call at 706-922-6741 or send us an email at support@taxslayer.com. Our support team will be happy to help.
Reviewed Feb. 24, 2025
I have used TaxSlayer for 2023 and 2024 tax years. I use the interview option. I have used HR Block and Tax Cut software in the past. The software was relatively easy to use. When it asks questions, the explanations of what the "legalese" questions mean are not as in depth as the competitive software but a layperson such as me figured it out. 2024 season seemed a little easier than 2023. I am retired and only have SSA, dividends and interest to address. No state tax where I live. I recently was notified by the IRS that my 2023 returns needed to be amended. When I reviewed their documentation, TaxSlayer almost doubled my standard deduction.
In my review during initial calculations, I caught that the deduction was too high. I redone the interview with a focus on deductions. My deductions were near the standard deduction amount but the standard deduction was the best. After this interview session, the deduction displayed was the standard deduction so I saved and printed it (after recalculation which is done every time you save). I mailed my return. Several hours had been invested by now, but I was done!!. You know what they say about assumptions. I assumed everything was as I had corrected it and I mailed off the return.
After being notified by the IRS, to my surprise, the Tax Slayer software had eliminated my corrections and recalculated the excessive deduction amount (which was too high by a lot). Now I am paying interest and penalties. I suspect the continual recalculation that the software does every time you want to save your review may have contributed to erasing all my corrections. It must have used information from my initial interview.
I would give it one star as the whole purpose is to have novices such as myself successfully submit the correct return and pay the appropriate taxes. Therefore, it failed in its primary function. I gave a second star because I should have double checked the deduction value. If a person cannot go through the questions in the software and result in the correct tax, then there needs to be improvements in that process. OR... use a different one.
Unfortunately, I get to pay the price in increased taxes and penalties. TaxSlayer gets what I paid and walks away unscathed. I doubt I'll use 2025 version if I can't trust the results. I paid a lot more in penalties and interest as well as time on the phone and correspondence with the IRS (which always seems to talk like you tried to cheat them rather than a software interface issue). I am reviewing my 2024 tax printout for any indications of the same issue. I do not see it but my confidence in the software has been severely shaken. I hope I do not get another notice in 2025 for 2024 taxes.
Hi Kevin, thank you for being a valued customer over the years. We are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for providing feedback for us to address this concern.

Reviewed Feb. 6, 2025
TaxSlayer makes you agree to allow them to share your information prior to filing after you have inputted all of your information. I truly regret using them. It was a serious mistake.
Hi Tonya, thank you for being a TaxSlayer. We understand your frustration, and we are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for giving us your feedback to address this concern.
Reviewed Feb. 6, 2025
I compared Taxslayer to TurboTax prices and it seemed like a better deal; however, I'm going to end up paying a bigger price for Taxpayer. If you do not have tax experience, it's better if you pay a little more and have more transparency.
2). At the end of the program, I indicated I only wanted to pay for Federal and using a credit card and not my refund. But, Taxslayer tricks (probably because they have to pay credit card fees) and takes you to another page that says "File and Go". Since I had already marked the box to pay with the credit card, I thought it would be fine. Taxslayer did not even show the fees it will deduct from the payment. And, guess what! They took a payment for the State Tax Form.
3). I called and Roshana indicated there was nothing she could do. So you take my payment, when I specifically indicated only Federal Tax Form and they won't return the State Tax Fee. And, I did not plan to file the State Tax Form with them. Since CA provides a free service to e-file.
Because I am a CPA that was trying to do the fastest and less costly way, I found the mistakes and now have to amend the form with them. And, I won't be able to file the State Tax Return with Taxslayer unless I pay the fee for the Amended Return. Incompatible software. Don't use it unless you are familiar with tax rules and it's a free service.
Thank you for being a valued customer. We are truly sorry that our product does not meet your expectations this year, as our goal is to be the best value and service in the online tax preparation industry. Thank you for providing feedback for us to address this concern.
Reviewed May 16, 2024
Taxslayer went from being my best to worst tax preparer. Instead of quickly direct depositing my tax refund as in all prior years now they said they could not direct deposit, but would send a check(!). Even worse, for no good reason two checks. Which of course can lead to lost checks and that's exactly what happened. Lost one check. Then insisted I get a notary to fill out a document cancelling check so they can resend. But even when I did that unreasonable step they didn't send the promised check. Said I'd have to deal with IRS!! Two months later still don't have my tax refund!!!
Reviewed April 22, 2024
I'm a small business owner, and chose to go with Taxslayer for my 2023 taxes. While their website and interface were user friendly and easy to use, I felt rushed through and I had additional information to enter and was not provided opportunity to do so. I received a letter from the IRS a few days ago indicating that there were glaring errors in my return, to include several pages missing. Some to include the first two pages of my return, proof of income, and then proof of quarterly taxes filed. Whether this was a glitch or not, something like this should not be overlooked.
My wife and I double checked everything before we even hit submit! Everything was there. The review page even said as much. When I've done everything within my power and capability to file my taxes, in accordance to the material provided by the website, and the IRS kicks it back for information missing; then that leaves a lot to be desired to the efficacy of Taxslayer. They have lost my business from this day forward.
Reviewed April 5, 2024
My daughter qualifies for Free but when we get to the State filing, it flips to Classic and asks for $40 to file State. I have tried it three times and no matter how little I ask, it still flips to Classic and wants money without giving me a choice.
Reviewed Feb. 29, 2024
I had a major issue with the state return. If I could have seen all the forms before paying I would have spotted it but in order to see forms you have to pay first. After doing my federal return information the state only took a couple clicks. So I paid and after printing the return found it had used my withdrawals from my IRA as income which in PA is not taxed. Messaging TaxSlayer didn't help so I used the PA state gov site to resubmit the return.
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2024
This has to be the worst site for being able to get back into your account. I tried the address on file with the IRS, and my mother's address, for kicks, apparently. They alleged that both were wrong (they aren't), or that there was some error and I couldn't be logged in. You can't just reset your password, apparently, and customer service? I don't think that their customer service are actual people, as it just reiterated what the "forgot password" button told me to do.
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2023
I assume that this is the worst tax prep website available since I cannot imagine any that could be worse. My tax returns include a schedule C (self-employment) so, thinking that it would be easier, I went through the entire process using their help method with its "guaranteed maximum refund" and it came out to my owing over $5,000, which was more than I had ever had to pay. So I started over, filling in my expenses directly and I came out owing $500. Also, there was no way to save a page. The only option was "continue" which meant that if I returned to a page it was often blank and I had to reenter the same information again and again.
The worst of it was the circularity - trying to move onto the next step and constantly going backwards including at the end when I was trying to pay. Every time I chose "credit card" it went back to the beginning of the summary and I had to go through the entire payment process again (5x!) in an attempt to avoid an extra $40 that I would have had to pay through their system rather than directly from my bank. What should have taken a few hours took more than an entire day. All in all using Tax Slayer was nervous breakdown material. Don't do it!!!
Reviewed April 15, 2023
TaxSlayer states no fee for certain users. My college age daughter who has a couple of W-2s for marginal income from summer work and part time position on campus has recently had her tax refund charged for
File state return, though she is qualified for free submission $39.95
and receive her refund via direct deposit $34.95.
And we finished entry of her return, I believe TaxSlayer should have been more transparent. The charge references in my opinion were not clear, nor aligned with how other ecommerce / eservices provide a full and transparent charges display before enabling an order or transaction to complete. I called support asking for refund based upon their technology incorrectly charging her for Classic when she was clearly qualified for simply free process. They refused to address my request. Service person Joshua just referenced their terms and conditions document. Yet in her transaction history on the account, there is not display of these charges. So, once again serious lack of transparency.
Reviewed April 14, 2023
I expected there to be a charge but the number of stupid unnecessary add-ons I had to unsubscribe from was annoying to say the least. There was a box to uncheck to not sell my information to marketers which is deceptive to again say the least. Finally when I get through the whole process I cant print my own tax return without shelling out even more money. Absolutely would not recommend. Try another product or file by hand. It's worth it to not give them another cent.
Reviewed March 15, 2023
Updated on 03/21/2023: Then, they refunded me $63.20 instead of $99.85. But according to my selection - I used the basic/simple plan - it should be $63.20 (only reported for my Nebraska State w2 without other issues included). Again - I won't use Taxslayer again - terrible experience and cost more than I needed.
Original Review: TaxSlayer is terrible because they charged me for $63.20 service fee. But my state refund was then taken out from my refund for another $99.85. I made a call to Nebraska state - and knew that it was taken out by a third party. So I called TaxSlayer at 706-922-6741 to understand better - but the lady just told me to go back to my bank to see why happened - and she didn't want to tell me her name. I will never ever use the TaxSlayer service anymore - especially since they have done nothing for me.
Reviewed Feb. 23, 2023
I'm trying to do my part-year state returns and the program allows for no user allocation of wages. The software leaves some wages unreported. Trying to get someone at TS to help takes forever and they don't seem to know anything about how to do taxes. In past years, as this year, I've noticed they keep changing the software throughout the tax season. Would be nice if they could have write the software correctly from the start!
Reviewed Feb. 15, 2023
I created an account. Put all my personal info in. I was told it was successful. When I attempted to log back in, it said, "There were no records matching the criteria I provided." I was linked to the software through...there you have it.
Reviewed Feb. 10, 2023
Just like in last year's return, Taxslayer is filling in random numbers for Line 38 of the Michigan Home Heating Credit. They are not using Table A from the instructions as they should. I was the first to bring this to their attention last year and again this year. So their 100% Guarantee is false advertising. I claim 2 exemptions for State as my adult son lives with me, but he is not on the lease and does not share in the rent. If someone else DOES share in the rent, then this line needs to be recalculated. Taxslayer is assuming that just because I claim 2 exemptions that we share rent and we're all on the lease. It's a wrong assumption.
Also, I have 3 Federal Schedule C's for being self-employed and none have any inventory and so I select "Not Applicable" to answer "Method Used to Value Closing Inventory." Yet, after submitting my Federal return, it was immediately rejected because I'm suppose to change it to "Cost" method.?? If I have no inventory, why would I select this? Taxslayer claims it's the IRS that's rejecting it and requiring me to change it. I doubt it, but I will contact the IRS.
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2023
I've used a variety of electronic filing services before and TaxSlayer is by far the worst one. If you'd like all of your deductions and credits skipped out on, then this is the one to pick. Sure, the UI looks good but the user experience is awful. None of it makes sense. You can't even find the stuff that you're looking for/need the reason why you're filing taxes in the first place. The biggest irony is this program will say congratulations, even when it fails to do the simple things that you'd expect from any sort of tax filing service. I would never recommend this company and their program to anyone. Unless they don't mind not receiving the tax return that they deserve. I would give it -1 Stars.
Updated review: Nov. 18, 2022
I finally received a clear explanation from TaxSlayer about what they believe is the error involved, and it was not on their part but on the part of the IRS. They also explained that their "IRS Inquiry Assistance" is only to "research, review, and suggest next steps". I did have to ask, after 4 emails with unhelpful responses, for my inquiry to be bumped up to a supervisor; after that is when I got the very helpful, clear, and very prompt responses. I did reach an IRS agent today after multiple attempts, and although it took over 4 hours on the phone, he did finally determine that the extra tax was indeed a mistake on their part and will be corrected.
Original Review: Nov. 16, 2022
I used TaxSlayer Classic for my 2021 1040SR return. I am an experienced filer, but did not catch that the tax calculation on my AGI was wrong (because in the past 2 years my tax owed was very low) - in fact, it was too low by over $1000. I actually did not receive notice of this until October, when I was able to speak to an agent about the delay in processing my 1040X (another issue, correcting my mistake about a credit that did not impact the original tax calculation error). I was told verbally by the agent about the tax owed mistake, and how much I needed to pay, which I promptly did.
Once I received the official IRS letter, nearly a month later, I submitted it to TaxSlayer asking for an explanation of the error and a refund of the fee paid. They state that they have no evidence that the taxes in arrears to my account BEFORE the 1040X was processed was due to their mistake, despite the fact that they have access to the original 1040 and could manually check the calculation (which I have done myself). They state that since the IRS letter only mentions the interest due (because I had already paid the outstanding tax), despite the fact that the letter clearly shows the date and amount of tax in arrears, they cannot conclude that it has anything to do with them. They also state that if I have any question about the letter, I need to contact the IRS myself (in fact I have no questions, it is perfectly clear to me.) So much for their promised "IRS Inquiry Assistance" and "100% Accuracy Guaranteed".
Reviewed May 17, 2022
I’ve used TaxSlayer for my past two years' tax returns. My returns are very simple, no additional forms, just 1040. Both of my returns had errors that resulted in me owing money (plus interest) to the IRS. The first time, I was able to see what the error was, I made a mistake that could have easily been avoided with more detailed info about the entry. This year's error, I cannot explain at all! I have no idea how the amount entered on my return was calculated. I will not use it again.
Reviewed May 11, 2022
I filed my taxes and agreed to pay a fee of $40. It took months to get my refund, the program never calculated it correctly, and there were constant errors and delays when trying to do my taxes. By the time I got my return, they had already been hounding me for the money they said I owed which was supposed to be taken from my tax return. What they don't tell you is that they are charging you $40 extra dollars to have a third-party bank deposit the money into your account as well as another $40 for whatever state taxes I had to do and other fees.
This company is a scam and a fraud, it is not worth the money. They claim you can file your taxes for free but once you get started and you have more than one W2 or any other tax document needed to file they charge you excessive amounts of money. I had negative income this year and still had to pay $125 just to get my money deposited into my bank account. I will never use this company again and they will be reported to any federal agencies as well as the Better Business Bureau due to their horrible customer service and hidden fees. I hope what happened to into it happens to them and they have to return all the money they have stolen from people. Do not use this company ever.
Reviewed April 21, 2022
I had no issues last year with Taxslayer, even though it was harder to use than TaxAct, (which cost more). This year Taxslayer was a nightmare. The site kept crashing around 4:30 pm, on 4/18, after I had spent an hour inputting my information. Finally gave up and tried the next day. I was able to finish filing, paid, and efiled. It keeps getting rejected, because of a PIN number, which I had written down in 3 places. I've tried everything, but no luck. They tell you not to worry, that you can print and send your return, but even that's not clear on how to do that and my refund will most likely be held up for months.
Reviewed April 19, 2022
Seems like a well laid out site, but it is slow and cumbersome. What’s worse is that it constantly encountered unexpected errors or various sorts. It recommended closing all browser tabs/windows to fix the issue which is ridiculous. I finally tried this and it kept happening. It forced me to login each time an error happened and kept having me verify my identity, but 80% of the time I did not receive the verification code. The whole process was incredibly frustrating, I kept trying because I had time invested in setting up my account and tax returns, but eventually gave up and went with a site that turned out to be an A+++ site experience, FreeTaxUSA.
Reviewed April 19, 2022
Four stars on your preparation for the busiest day in your business. I thoroughly enjoyed the three and a half hours of trying to file an extension while gently being “timed out” and having to log back in. Great fun Tax Slayer! Unfortunately I had to take my fun to another company - who by the way had me on my way within 10 minutes.
Reviewed April 16, 2022
I'm trying to file a federal tax return using the simply free version of TaxSlayer, and every way you turn, they attempt to trick or force you into upgrading to a paid version. I have a very simple W-2 and that's all. I first tried to file free, but somehow ended up with the premium version. In order to switch to the free version, I had to delete everything I had entered and start over.
Then, once I had the free version, I wanted to claim the standard deduction, but the only way it would let me claim the standard deduction is by going through and entering an itemized deduction, which it then compares to the standard deduction, determines the standard will get me a larger refund, and goes with that. But by entering in the information for an itemized deduction, it automatically "upgrades" me to a paid edition, and once again, the only way to get back to the free edition is to delete everything and start over. If I don't enter anything into the itemized section, it doesn't apply a deduction at all and the refund I would get is only half of what it should be with the standardized deduction. I am more than fed up with their ridiculous and predatory tactics.
Reviewed April 15, 2022
Due to faults in their programming, I had to file an amended return. Their own representative said it was odd that the program did what it did. They offered to escalate my problem to management. However, I was told the whole process would take several weeks and then they would make a decision if I had to pay for the amendment. Fine. I just wanted it over so I paid.
Everything went fine. A screen popped up and told me my amended return was successful. I paid $500 through them to go to the IRS and moved on. Logged in today to make sure everything was fine. It wasn't. I learned after calling Tax Slayer that there is a very confusing thing with banking that is not explained clearly on their website. The customer service representative knew exactly what the problem was. Great! Except when I asked her to stay on with me for less than one minute I needed to make sure it worked she said she couldn't and hung up. I sat on hold for 34 minutes. She literally could not wait for less than one minute to make sure it was okay. NEVER AGAIN! The whole experience has been a nightmare!
TaxSlayer Company Information
- Company Name:
- TaxSlayer
- Website:
- www.taxslayer.com
