About TaxAct
TaxAct started life in 1998 as 2nd Story Software in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and built its reputation as the cheaper, no-frills way to file a full federal and state return. It passed through Blucora before private-equity firm Cinven acquired it in 2022; the company is now headquartered in Dallas.
Its reviewers' refrain — simpler and more affordable than the big two — has recently been joined by praise for SmartFile AI, the in-product assistant TaxAct is rolling out in beta.
SmartFile AI (beta) lets filers ask questions in plain language and navigates them directly to the relevant section of their return with suggestions.
Highlights
- Founded 1998 as 2nd Story Software; acquired by private-equity firm Cinven in 2022
- Positioned on price: consistently cheaper than TurboTax and H&R Block for comparable returns
- Offers Xpert Assist for on-demand help from tax specialists
Third-party reviews
Most reviewers call it simple and affordable and specifically praise the SmartFile AI helper, though some flag late-stage fee disclosures.
Read on TrustpilotRatings belong to the cited platforms and change over time — last checked August 2026. TaxAIs does not collect its own reviews; follow the links above for current scores and full review text.
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