Jackson Hewitt; Insider
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Jackson Hewitt Software offers a good online do-it-yourself tax service for a flat rate of $25 for federal and state returns.- If you’d like to file with a tax expert, you can visit or drop off your documents to a tax preparer in an office.
- But, if you have a simple tax situation with W-2 income or unemployment income, there are free options elsewhere.
- See Personal Finance Insider’s picks for the best tax software »
Taxes can get overwhelming, fast.
If you don’t qualify for free filing and you’re looking for a simple way to prepare your return at an affordable price,
Jackson Hewitt’s DIY online package is relatively new, but a worthy competitor to household names like TaxAct, TaxSlayer, H&R Block, and TurboTax. It also lets you file with in-person by visiting a local office or simply dropping off your documents.
Here’s a look at how Jackson Hewitt works, how much it costs, and who it’s best for.
Who should use Jackson Hewitt?
Jackson Hewitt is a good fit for someone who doesn’t qualify for free federal filing and wants a straightforward and approachable online service for preparing a tax return.
Filers who are comfortable handling tax preparation themselves will find Jackson Hewitt’s no-frills platform valuable. The guidance is clear and the interface is uncluttered. There’s only one package available for all situations, so you won’t have to spend time deciding between plans or be bothered by offers to upgrade to the next tier, which can happen with other online services.
| Editor’s rating | 3.7 / 5 |
| Review summary |
Jackson Hewitt provides a streamlined online filing experience for a low flat rate, as well as reasonably priced full-service expert options. The biggest drawbacks are the lack of a $0 plan and features for quick data entry. |
| Cost of DIY filing |
$25 +$0 for unlimited state returns |
| Details |
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How much does Jackson Hewitt cost?
Jackson Hewitt offers a single package for all tax situations that’s cheaper than the lowest-cost packages from TurboTax and H&R Block before applying any discounts.
However, Jackson Hewitt does not offer a $0 package, even for simple tax situations. The IRS estimates up to 70% of Americans qualify for free online tax preparation services, so you shouldn’t pay if you don’t have to.
Do it yourself online
Jackson Hewitt’s single, flat-rate bundle covers one federal return and unlimited state returns for $25. If you use the DIY option to file in 2022, you’ll be locked into the $25 rate for three years.
Homeowners, parents, freelancers, investors, and everyone in between can file with this package. Companies like H&R Block and TurboTax usually charge more as your situation gets more complex, plus an additional fee for each state return you file.
Hire a tax pro
- Drop off your income and tax documents at an office and a tax pro will prepare your return and file it. There are nearly 6,000 Jackson Hewitt office locations across the US, about half of which are in Walmart stores. The cost of preparation services will be determined in the store.
- Book an appointment and meet with a tax pro face-to-face at a Jackson Hewitt office.
Jackson Hewitt previously offered Tax Pro From Home, an online tax service that lets you speak with a professional. Tax Pro From Home is no longer available.
If you’d like to hire a tax professional, the price will vary depending on the expert you choose and how complex your tax situation is.
How does Jackson Hewitt work?
Jackson Hewitt has been in the business of tax preparation for over 35 years, but has been offering e-filing services for just the past seven years.
Like most other online tax services, Jackson Hewitt asks you to create an account before answering a series of questions about your income and household. If you choose the DIY option, you’ll be prompted to report your income and other information to see if you’re eligible for any deductions or credits before calculating your tax bill or refund. Jackson Hewitt provides thorough explanations of each tax concept so you know what you’re looking at, and makes it easy to skip around and save your place and come back later.
While there’s no option to upgrade the DIY package to get direct help from a tax pro, customer support is available via chat and phone, seven days a week. If you really need help, you can ditch your online prep (you don’t pay until you file anyway) and book an appointment with a professional.
You can also enlist the help of Jackson Hewitt to resolve tax debt. The company doesn’t list pricing online since it varies based on the specifics of your situation, but you can get a consultation for free.
Is Jackson Hewitt reliable and safe?
Jackson Hewitt keeps your information secure with data encryption. It also lets you opt into multi-factor authentication to verify your identity whenever you log in.
Like other online tax preparers, Jackson Hewitt guarantees it will prepare your return with 100% accuracy and get you your maximum refund, or you’re entitled to get your money back.
Are there any downsides to using Jackson Hewitt?
Some tax services have a document upload feature that speeds up data entry — Jackson Hewitt does not. It only allows W-2 import from a select database of employers. Most of your information will need to be manually input.
While Jackson Hewitt’s flat pricing means you’ll pay less than you would with H&R Block or TurboTax, it doesn’t offer a free option for simple tax situations, such as only W-2 income. Jackson Hewitt offers a good user experience, but not good enough to shell out $25 when you could file for $0 on another, equally reliable platform.
Self-employed filers with multiple types of income also may not find as much personalized guidance with Jackson Hewitt as they would with a service that caters to self-employed filers and small business owners, like TurboTax.
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