TaxHawk Review 2025

The name TaxHawk might not ring out as loudly as TurboTax or H&R Block, but the tax software provider has filed more than 71 million returns with the IRS, and the platform enjoys an impressive 4.8-star rating after more than 22,000 reviews. 

Those who are familiar should know about some key updates to the TaxHawk 2025 edition before they consider using it again this year. Those who aren’t might want to learn about its many features and the value that its satisfied customers say it provides. 

Before you commit to a bigger-name brand that costs more without necessarily delivering more, read this TaxHawk review and see what you might be missing. 

TaxHawk Free Federal Filing: Who Qualifies?

Everyone who uses TaxHawk qualifies for free federal filing, and the software supports most tax situations — even those that are fairly complex and would cost much more to complete with bigger-name providers.  

There are four tiers, ranging from simple to advanced, all of which cost $0 plus $15.99 per state return. 

• Basic: This beginner-friendly edition offers step-by-step guidance in pursuit of a quick finish and a maximum refund.
• Advanced: This version is best for homeowners and can get you the maximum credits and deductions, including the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Premium: Choose this edition if you sold a home or if you have rental income or investments.
• Self-Employed: This version was designed for small business owners, sole proprietors, freelancers and contractors.  

Pricing Breakdown: How Much Does TaxHawk Cost?

Those who need extra help can get it if they’re willing to pay a little more. There are two options, each with its own suite of features and support.

Deluxe Support

The Deluxe Support option costs $7.99 and comes with the following services.

• Live chat: Users can interact directly with tax professionals while they complete their returns in real-time. Deluxe customers can use live chat Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET, not including holidays. 
• Unlimited amended returns: Deluxe users can file as many amended returns as needed with Form 1040-X at no extra cost.
• Priority support: When you pay for Deluxe, you cut the line and connect with representatives first before they answer free users. 

Pro Support

The Pro Support edition costs $44.99 and comes with the following features. 

• Personal tax advice: Tax professionals are on hand and available to answer any questions Pro Support users have, from small business income to investment reporting. 
• Access to tax professionals: TaxHawk connects users to dedicated pros who can help them file both their state and federal returns — no matter how challenging — accurately and on time the first time.
• Live screen share: Pro Support users can grant permission to their tax professionals to share screens in real-time to provide hands-on guidance and support if they need direction and guidance as they go.
• Phone support: Those who prefer to speak with an expert can call the TaxHawk phone number to chat directly with a tax professional the old-fashioned way. Phone support is available from 10 a.m. to 9  p.m. ET during tax season from January 2 through April 30. Off-season hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET from May 1 through Dec. 31, excluding holidays. 

TaxHawk’s Accuracy and Guarantee Policies

TaxHawk backs up its services and software with a series of guarantees and safeguards to assure its users that their returns will be accurate, their refunds will be maximized and that they’ll avoid penalties and fees. 

Triple Check Accuracy

TaxHawk offers a 100% guarantee that all calculations are accurate through its Triple Check Accuracy system. 

1. Instant Check: On-screen inspections guide users in real-time as they enter their information to ensure each field is correct as it’s completed. It checks for accuracy in both missing information and proper formatting with data like addresses, filing status, and asset types.
2. Double Check: Once a section is complete, TaxHawk’s software launches thousands of audits to scour for things like common income and itemized deductions, verifying all information. If it finds anything that needs fixing, it issues either a Yellow Alert or a Red Alert. Yellow Alerts prompt the user to take another look at something that looks off. Red Alerts indicate errors that must be fixed.
3. Final Check: Once you’re ready to file, Final Check runs an in-depth evaluation of the entire return to ensure you haven’t omitted anything or made any errors. It will let you know if you have any unresolved issues or if you have changed any information during the process. Final Check looks for things like exceeded limits, duplicate information and unanswered questions. Once complete, you’re ready to file.

Maximum Refund Guarantee

TaxHawk guarantees the maximum refund for each return. If a user receives a bigger refund or smaller tax liability with another software provider, the company will refund their purchases and give a service code for a free amended tax return.

100% Calculation Accuracy Guarantee

TaxHawk will pay any penalties or interest that the IRS or the user’s state of residence charges due to a calculation error.

Always Free Federal Guarantee

TaxHawk guarantees that all federal tax returns and supported federal forms are 100% free no matter how complex they are.

TaxHawk Customer Support 

TaxHawk provides customer support to all users, even at the free level. They can quickly receive answers through email and even faster through the TaxHawk account message center, typically within a half-hour.

TaxHawk Security and Privacy Features

TaxHawk has filed more than 71 million returns safely and securely with the IRS by using the following security and privacy protocols.

• Data encryption
• Multi-factor authentication
• Servers are actively monitored 24/7, 365 days a year, in a secure data center.
• TaxHawk does not collect or sell data from returns to ensure information privacy.
• Account alerts for changes to emails, passwords, usernames, deposit information, mobile numbers and security questions.

TaxHawk vs. Competitors: How It Stacks Up

TaxHawk, of course, is not the only game in town. Here’s how it compares to some of its better-known competitors.  

TaxHawk vs. TurboTax

TurboTax is one of the more expensive options on the tax software market. It has a free version as part of its Basic tier, but it supports only the simplest 1040-based returns, and costs up to $89 for DIYers with anything more complex than that. Those who want help can choose the Live Assisted package for $49-$169 or Live Full Service, which starts at $89 and can quickly rise into the hundreds depending on your needs, making TaxHawk much more affordable for most taxpayers.

However, one benefit of TurboTax is that if you qualify for a free federal return, your state return is free, too. With TaxHawk, state filing is $15.99 for everyone.

TaxHawk vs. H&R Block

H&R Block has a free option that includes more forms than TurboTax, but is still limited to simple returns — but also like TurboTax and unlike Taxhawk, state returns are also free for those who qualify. 

Its three paid tiers mirror TaxHawk’s trio of non-basic packages closely, but H&R Block’s cost $35, $65 and $85, whereas TaxHawk’s are free. Only its $35 Deluxe edition is cheaper than TaxHawk’s most expensive Pro Support edition.

TaxHawk vs. TaxAct

TaxAct has a free version for simple returns and three paid versions that cost $29.99, $49.99 and $69.99. That’s cheaper than H&R Block — but only at first glance. H&R Block’s three paid versions come with professional support. If you add TaxAct’s Live Tax Advice service, the three prices jump to $89.99, $109.99 and $129.99, whereas TaxHawk tops out at $44.99 for its priciest Pro Support edition.