Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

TaxSlayer

60
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

TaxSlayer is generally praised for its ease of use and affordability compared to competitors, but recent reviews highlight significant issues with app functionality, unexpected charges, and difficulty accessing or printing tax documents.

4.8★ lifetime (20,576) Free to download since 2013 by TaxSlayer LLC updated 6.1 mo ago recent negative 36% 120 reviews across 2 regions
Pricing & Fees App Functionality Ease of Use Comparison to TurboTax Customer Service
5★128
4★9
3★25
2★17
1★72
recent reviews across 2 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

TaxSlayer is a tax filing app that many users find straightforward and more affordable than alternatives like TurboTax. However, recent feedback indicates a decline in app performance, with users reporting frequent crashes, login problems, and an inability to download or print returns. There are also numerous complaints about misleading 'free' offers and unexpected upcharges for services.

What users like

  • Easy and straightforward to use for many, including first-time usersR5R13R15R17
  • Often more affordable than competitors like TurboTaxR8R29R31R36
  • Good for self-employed individuals and those with simple returnsR19R68
  • Helpful customer service available, sometimes for an additional feeR30R50R63R73

What users complain about

  • Frequent app malfunctions, crashes, and login issuesR1R22R71R82
  • Inability to download, view, or print tax returns from the appR1R6R7R22
  • Misleading 'free' offers and unexpected upcharges for federal and state filingR2R3R12R20
  • Difficulty with navigation and entering information, sometimes requiring manual inputR6R11R28R33
  • Poor customer service and lack of support for technical issuesR2R45R52R59
  • Issues with security, such as sending personal info via email with password in the same emailR95
  • Charges for amendments and for carrying over previous year's informationR58R75R94

Latest update · v25.1

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Get ready to file your 2025 taxes! 100% accuracy for every tax break you deserve. - Login updates and performance improvements

Recurring themes

Pricing & Fees negative
Many users report being misled by 'free' filing offers, only to be charged significant amounts for federal and state returns, sometimes over $100. Some feel the prices have increased substantially over time, making it less affordable than it used to be. There are also complaints about charges for amendments and for carrying over previous year's data.R2R3R12R20
App Functionality negative
A significant number of recent reviews highlight severe app functionality issues, including frequent crashes, freezing, and inability to log in. Users also consistently report being unable to download, view, or print their tax returns from the app, often encountering blank screens or endless loading. This directly contradicts the developer's notes about 'performance improvements'.R1R6R7R22
Ease of Use mixed
While many users praise the app for being easy, straightforward, and simple to use, especially compared to TurboTax, others find it complicated, hard to navigate, or lacking features like scanning forms.R5R6R11R13
Customer Service mixed
Some users report positive experiences with customer service, finding them helpful and responsive. However, others describe customer service as unhelpful, unresponsive, or directing users to the website instead of resolving app issues.R2R30R45R50
Comparison to TurboTax positive
Many users explicitly compare TaxSlayer favorably to TurboTax, citing it as easier to use, more affordable, and providing better returns. Some users switched from TurboTax due to its increased costs.R8R11R25R31

Who it's for

TaxSlayer is for individuals seeking a potentially more affordable alternative to TurboTax, especially those with relatively simple tax situations or who are self-employed and comfortable with manual data entry R8R19R68. It may also appeal to those who value a straightforward interface and don't mind using the website for document access R5R15.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative, particularly regarding app functionality and pricing transparency, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. The developer's notes mention 'Login updates and performance improvements,' but recent reviews strongly contradict these claims, with numerous reports of login issues and app crashes.

Frequently asked

Is TaxSlayer truly free?
Many users report that TaxSlayer's 'free' offers are misleading, with unexpected charges for federal and state filing often appearing at the end of the process, sometimes totaling over $100 R2R3R20. While some users do qualify for free filing, it is not universal and often depends on specific tax situations R68.
Can I print or download my tax return from the TaxSlayer app?
Many recent reviews indicate that users are unable to download, view, or print their tax returns from the TaxSlayer app, frequently encountering blank screens, endless loading, or being directed to the website R1R6R7R22. Some users found success downloading from the website instead .
Is TaxSlayer easy to use?
Many users find TaxSlayer easy and straightforward to use, even for first-time filers R5R13R15R17. However, a notable number of recent reviews describe the app as complicated, hard to navigate, or requiring extensive manual data entry, which can be time-consuming R6R11R28R33.
Are there issues with logging into the TaxSlayer app?
Yes, many recent reviews report significant issues with logging into the TaxSlayer app, including frequent crashes, endless loading screens, and problems with password saving or Face ID functionality R1R71R82. Some users were unable to log in at all R1.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] 5/5 · US Great App: So straightforward. Especially for a first-time user. Thank you
  2. [R13] 5/5 · US Great: Always easy
  3. [R15] 5/5 · US Easy peasy!: Filing my taxes with TaxSlayer is no hassle and easy.
  4. [R17] 5/5 · US Easy: Great tax company. Easy to prepare your taxes. Even a baby can do it. Easy instructions line per line help. You can mess it up.
  5. [R8] 5/5 · US The New Turbo Tax: Set up identically to turbo tax, but 1/5 the cost. Will be using them moving forward!
  6. [R29] 5/5 · US My new tax assistant!: Value is affordable & user friendly portal for everyone to do their own taxes.
  7. [R31] 5/5 · US Turbo Tax is a Joke: Way easier than Turbo Tax 👀👀👀
  8. [R36] 5/5 · US Tax Slayer: Omg they are way way better than TurboTax it’s fast quick n easy n I like there system bye turbo never again plus this is my first year with TaxSlayer thanks so much LACY !!
  9. [R19] 5/5 · US Very easy to use: I have used tax slayer for my taxes for over 10 years. I am self-employed and they make filing taxes easy and fast.
  10. [R68] 5/5 · US Easy and Free: Very easy to use. I am also very appreciative that it is free for me since my status qualifies for free federal and state filing. TurboTax wanted to charge almost $70 when I’m not even getting a big return. I will plan to use this app again next year if it remains free!
  11. [R30] 5/5 · US Additional help: The 20$ for additional help was well worth it. They answered my questions within 20 minutes.
  12. [R50] 5/5 · US Crystal with TaxPro: Crystal had amazing customer service. Called in a timely manner. I was honestly so lost with my 1099R and she not only walked me through the process but took her time to explain everything. She basically broke it down Barney’s style. I was stressed for 3 days straight trying to figure it out on my own and my only regret is not reaching out to the TaxPro specialist sooner. If
  13. [R63] 5/5 · US Excellent: The app and customer service was amazing. I use to use turbo tax and this by far exceeds that program!!!
  14. [R73] 5/5 · US East to use. Good phone support too.: Program is easy to use and phone support people were very nice and helpful too. Thank you very much!
  15. [R1] 1/5 · US Can I say I’d rather clean toilets all day than do taxes: Forget about trying to access or print your taxes! Logged in 20 times App just trying to EXTRACT MY OWN INFORMATION!Guess you better just plan to get your own transcript from the IRS!
  16. [R22] 3/5 · US Malfunction: There is something wrong with the app it won’t let me type anything update how come I can’t download my tax return to look at it
  17. [R71] 3/5 · US App keeps crashing IOS 18.1.1: Just downloaded again but can’t pass the blank screen after i logged in. Any solutions?.
  18. [R82] 2/5 · US App constantly crashes: 4/2/24 Login screen appears then crash. There’s nothing else I can write other than no updates available. Caption also jacked up badly which I think is causing problems.
  19. [R6] 1/5 · US Hard to navigate: Could not download or print returns for this year or previous years. Could not review return. Hope everything turns out ok You can’t go to a specified line , like line 20 on 1040. Wtf
  20. [R7] 2/5 · US Terrible navigation: Kicked out numerous times. Can’t access docs already paid (a lot) for! Won’t let me download or view/print my returns.
  21. [R2] 1/5 · US Automatically Upcharged me: Charged me $140 dollars after I chose the $0 option does not make any sense and the customer service was no help in tracing the funds ! Not recommended
  22. [R3] 1/5 · US tried charging me 150$ for state taxes: just tried again and its still over priced, the other app im using now costs 55$... it costs more than the actual taxes costs
  23. [R12] 3/5 · US Payment: I think $46.00 payment for a state return especially where I get zero money money back from the state and I’m 100% Disabled, I think is HORRIBLE!!!!!
  24. [R20] 1/5 · US Free offer very misleading 😡: Took time to fill out every form, ready to file. Read through the “free” tier requirements carefully before I began. Ready to file, expecting it to be free only to be required to pay $71 total for Fed+State. Vague explanation that one of my tax credits requires the Classic package. But I didn’t even have credits reported and it wouldn’t specify what exactly was the is
  25. [R11] 1/5 · US So complicated: It is to complicated. Hardest tax software that I have ever used. I'll be going back to TurboTax next year.
  26. [R28] 2/5 · US Not as good as it used to be: The help features aren’t that great anymore. The login was frustrating. Have to go through a bunch of the same screens over and over.
  27. [R33] 1/5 · US Didn’t let me import a picture of w2: I used to use TurboTax because it was free but they aren’t free anymore. I picked tax slayer because it said I could file for free but that was only for federal. I also had to manually input all of my forms where TurboTax lets you take a picture and it inputs everything for you. I would have just paid them if I knew I was going to have to pay anyways.
  28. [R45] 1/5 · US DO NOT USE: Do not use. Customer service is a joke and they tell you to use a web browser instead.
  29. [R52] 1/5 · US Zero Customer Service: I have had 4 experiences with Taxpayers customer service. The first phone call I terminated after the girl who answered was hard to hear. I was nice, she became sarcastic. I cannot reset my password. Two emails unanswered. Lesson learned, Turbo Tax was awesome My taxes were not filed because of a matching soc security issue. Did research and others are having the same issue.
  30. [R59] 1/5 · US Rejected: My taxes were submitted and rejected 3 times due to my SSN and birth date not matching IRS records. I triple checked it , called SS office to confirm and everything is correct. I’m positive there is a glitch on TaxSlayer end and good luck getting any help from them! It’s Turbo Tax from here on out!
  31. [R95] 1/5 · US Security issue! Personal info sent through email: They sent my tax return, with personal details, through email. I didn’t request this, and it was done without my consent. The password for the password protected zip file is in the same email. I can’t view my return. I paid almost $80 to view my return, but it doesn’t display, print or download.
  32. [R58] 3/5 · US Never filing with them again!: My first year not using TurboTax. Thought I’d give TaxSlayer a try and it was cool until I needed an amendment… there is a $45 charge! Do better.
  33. [R75] 1/5 · US Garbage: They charge $42 for an amended return? Avoid!!
  34. [R94] 2/5 · US Not was easy: They used to carry my information over for free from the previous year. Now they charge to do so. What kept me coming back to TaxSlayer was that it is cheap and easy. Now, what’s the point if I have to enter in my info to save money? I guess I can do that elsewhere…
  35. [R25] 1/5 · US No cheaper: No cheaper than Turbo Tax, push products on you like crazy.
  36. [R49] 5/5 · US Verification code: When trying to process the verification code, it would glitch and not send any… also, password wasn’t properly saving in my iPhone. Weird, luckily I remembered the password. After I changed it.
  37. [R53] 2/5 · US Just Do Your Taxes By Hand: It took me over six hours, and much frustration, just to get this app to load and log in, on my updated (serviced, but older model) iPad. Once it loaded, I easily selected all my usual forms, and then had to enter everything by hand. I usually do my taxes by hand, so I’m feeling like a rube. Thankfully, after several attempts, it did import my meager portfolio, whic

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store