Liberty Tax online software review

How much does Liberty Tax cost?

With four separate tax-solution packages Liberty Tax has an option for filing Schedule B all the way to K-1. You can even import information for free from tax products with other companies if you’ve filed with them in the past.

Plan and packages	Price	Best for	Features
Simple	$34.95 for federal $29.95 for state	Simple returns	Free chat and tech support Access to prior year returns W2 download Affordable care act forms Child & dependent care credit Non-resident and partial year state returns
Basic	$44.95 for federal $39.95 for state	Families	Everything in the Simple plan Itemized deductions Health savings accounts Basic self-employment income and business expenses
Deluxe	$44.95 for federal $34.95 for state	Investors	Everything in the Basic plan Depreciation calculations Sole proprietor income Home office deductions
Premium	$44.95 for federal $34.95 for state	Small business owners	Everything in the Deluxe plan Real estate income Capital gains and losses Sale of a home

How do I open a Liberty Tax account?

Signing up for and using the online software provided by Liberty Tax is simple, and free to start.

1. Click Apply now.
2. From the Liberty Tax website, select the “Start for free” button.
3. Fill out your information as you’re prompted to, selecting “Next” when you’ve finished each section.
4. Double check your work at the end to make sure you have entered everything in correctly.
5. Submit your final forms and make any necessary payments.

Be sure to have any relevant documents on hand (like your W-2 forms) to make the process go faster.

Pros

Taxpayers may enjoy these perks from Liberty Tax:

• Multiple ways to file. Save time by filing your taxes online or visit one of Liberty Tax‘s more than 4,000 offices to file in-person.
• Robust customer support. Live chat and tech support is available online through the Liberty Tax website. You can also go into a local office and get help from a tax expert.
• Import information from competitors. If you filed taxes with a different preparation service in the past, Liberty Tax allows you to transfer that information over so you’re not stuck filling out fields you’ve already finished.
• Inexpensive business plans. Business owners pay $79.90 total to file a federal and state return with Liberty Tax’s Premium Plan, which is inexpensive compared to H&R Block, which costs $121.98 total, and TurboTax, which costs $130 total.

Must read: Free Double-Checking

At one of Liberty Tax‘s 4,000+ locations, you can walk in and have their tax experts double-check your online tax return for free. It doesn’t matter if you prepared it using their software or a competitor’s — they’ll double-check your work regardless.

Cons

Before you file with Liberty Tax, consider these potential drawbacks:

• No free plans. Families, investors and those with simple returns may be able to file for cheaper with TaxSlayer or FreeTaxUSA.
• Cash-in-a-flash restrictions. You don’t qualify for this instant $50 promotion if you file online and it’s not offered at every Liberty Tax store.
• You may need a higher tier. In the event that you’ve sold your house, there may be a jump in the package you need. Go over everything that’s included in each solution to ensure you’re getting everything you need to successfully file your taxes.

If you want a filing tax service that isn’t as costly, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, explore your options when considering an online tax filing service.

Liberty Tax reviews and complaints

Liberty Tax Service is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a 1 out of 5-star rating based on 12 customer reviews. Of those reviews, many complain about its in-person filing services. Multiple people say their returns had mistakes that resulted in IRS penalties and fines. Others complain about expensive filing fees.

Liberty Tax has been assisting Americans with their tax needs for the past 20 years. With over 4,000 offices in the United States and Canada and headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Liberty Tax has well-established itself. Over the years Liberty Tax has become known for both personal and business income tax preparation.

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Liberty Tax customer support

Liberty Tax customer support representatives are available daily from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET from January to April 20 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET from April 21 through December. There are eight ways to get in touch:

Frequently asked questions

• Can I file without my W-2?

  In some cases, Liberty Tax is able to use Equifax to download your W-2 form. You will need an import code in order to do so.

• Why is my refund less than expected?

  Your refund is dependent on several factors. If you have questions about your specific refund and how it was calculated, you can chat with a Liberty Tax agent online, over the phone, or in one of the 4,000 nationwide offices.

• How long does it take for the IRS to receive my documentation when I file online?

  It usually only takes 24 hours for your information to be received and a receipt to be sent. There are circumstances in which it may take longer.

• Are Liberty Tax agents certified?

  Liberty Tax employs trained tax professionals to ensure you get the most from your tax refund.