In a Nutshell
pros
- Simple 3-tier pricing structure
- Expert tax assistance included with purchase
- Offers “100% accuracy” and “biggest refund” guarantees
cons
- No free version available
- No solutions for entrepreneurs or SMEs
eSmart Tax Plans
The tax preparation firm offers 3 tiers of service. Its lowest-cost package, Basic, is marketed toward those with simple tax situations—for example, single filers or married taxpayers without dependents. Those who opt for the Basic plan should only have W-2 income, and should expect to claim the standard deduction along with basic tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Deluxe is the company’s middle-tier plan and is for taxpayers with more complex lifestyles. Heads of households, married couples with dependents, and those with health-related expenses would fall under this category. Taxpayers with schooling (e.g. tuition, books, fees, or student loans) and housing (e.g. mortgage interest and property tax) expenses would also be good fit for the Deluxe plan. Generally speaking, individuals who plan to itemize in lieu of the standard deduction would belong in the target audience for this package.
eSmart Tax’s most expensive plan, Premium, is aimed at freelancers, independent contractors, or other taxpayers with less common sources of income. Customers who select this package will typically have business income and expenses to report on Schedule C of their Form 1040, in addition to their list of personal deductions and credits. This package is also suitable for investors and landlords who have capital gains or losses to report, as well as taxpayers with income from trusts or partnerships.
Basic (Best for taxpayers with simple returns)
Deluxe (Best for slightly more complex returns)
Premium (Best for freelancers and solopreneurs)
Optional Add-Ons
Customers can purchase the following add-ons to any plan:
- State tax return filing: +$36.95 per state
- Professional audit assistance: starting at $29.95
- The Smart Bundle package, which includes audit protection and file storage, plus printed and bound copies of tax filings: pricing varies.
How much does eSmart Tax cost?
eSmart Tax’s federal filing services are priced between $24.95 and $64.95. State tax filings are an additional $36.95 per state, regardless of plan. Live export support is included with all plans.
This puts the company’s federal filing fees in line with the industry average. Unlike its competitors, eSmart Tax does not offer a free federal and state filing plan. However, eSmart Tax’s state add-on fee is priced on the low end for its category, and its $0 live support makes it one of the cheapest options on the market if you want to consult with an expert.
How does eSmart Tax work?
eSmart Tax’s online tax preparation and filing system is convenient and easy to use. The software allows users to upload and automatically import their income information, minimizing the need for manual input.
Filing is automated as well. Once customers finish preparing their tax returns, they can use e-Smart’s built-in e-signature system to sign documents and submit them to the IRS—without having to print anything out. For users’ convenience, the software also tracks the status of a filed tax return and keeps a record of previous years’ filings.
Is eSmart Tax reliable and safe?
eSmart Tax is well-regarded by consumers and has a nearly 4-star rating on Consumer Affairs. The software is made by Liberty Tax, an established tax preparer and the third-largest tax prep company in the U.S.
eSmart Tax’s products are also backed by their biggest refund and 100% accuracy guarantees. These pledges ensure that customers get to file an error-free tax return that results in the largest tax refund possible. If the IRS assesses interest or other penalties because of mistakes, the company promises to cover the cost of the fines.
Help and Support
eSmart Tax’s customer support team is available through phone, email, live chat, and social media. Clients with general inquiries can dial (800) 790-3863, email support@esmarttax.com, or talk to an agent via live chat, accessible through the company’s website.
Customers can also access support on social media by visiting the company’s Facebook page, or by tweeting at @esmarttax. Agents are available on all channels from 9:00am EST to 12:00am EST between January 1st and April 20th. From April 21st until the end of the year, support is available from 9:00am EST to 5:00pm EST.
Additionally, the tax preparation firm features hundreds of FAQs on its website. Clients can get answers to commonly asked questions about filing, saving, printing, and signing their tax returns, along with information on profile creation, state taxes, refunds, and e-signatures. Customers can also access user manuals and troubleshooting guides for the tax software to ensure they filled everything out correctly.
What about the eSmart Tax app?
eSmart Tax does not offer a mobile app.
Bottom Line
Backed by Liberty Tax, one of the largest tax preparers in the country, eSmart tax is trusted and reliable. The company offers three robust and easy-to-use tax preparation software packages for taxpayers of all kinds, from simple tax situations to complicated cases for the self-employed.
Like most other offerings on the market, eSmart Tax charges an additional fee per state tax return. However, in contrast to its competitors, the company offers live help services for free to those who purchase any plan—making eSmart Tax a good choice for clients who need extra guidance and support come tax season.
FAQs
Is eSmart Tax legitimate?
Yes. The company is backed by Liberty Tax, one of the country’s largest tax preparation firms. eSmart Tax also offers its clients a biggest refund guarantee and an 100% accuracy guarantee—and pledges to cover any fines or penalties that arise as a result of errors on a customer’s tax return.
How much is eSmart Tax?
eSmart Tax offers 3 versions of its software. Basic costs $24.95, Deluxe is priced at $44.95, and Premium retails for $64.95.
How do I contact eSmart Tax?
You can reach the company’s customer support team by dialing (800) 790-3863 or emailing support@esmarttax.com. You can also get help via live chat (available on the company’s website) or by contacting them on Facebook or Twitter.