TaxACT 2013: Easy, Fast & Free Tax & Healthcare Planning for All Taxpayers

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA--(Marketwired - Oct 1, 2013) - TaxACT®, a leading provider of tax preparation solutions renowned for its value and reliability, announced its web and download products for the 2013 tax year are now available at www.taxact.com. All U.S. consumers can calculate their 2013 taxes for free with TaxACT Free Federal and Deluxe Editions.

It's always free to prepare, print and e-file with TaxACT Free Federal Edition. Deluxe web and tablet users don't have to pay until they file next year, redeem free phone help, or print or preview data-filled tax forms.

TaxACT 2013 covers the latest tax law changes, including Affordable Care Act provisions, plus life events guidance to help taxpayers identify savings opportunities requiring action by December 31. It also provides personalized calculations and information to help consumers make better informed health insurance decisions for 2014.

"Life changes and the Affordable Care Act may impact your taxes but that doesn't mean you need an expensive alternative," says TaxACT President JoAnn Kintzel. "TaxACT's optimized tools and expert guidance are designed to empower users of all situations to confidently do their own taxes."

Calculating 2013 taxes with ease and speed
After creating a TaxACT Online account, users can sign in anytime, anywhere from a PC or tablet browser. They can also sign in through TaxACT's award-winning tablet app, which will be available in iTunes and Google Play soon.

The TaxACT interview asks users simple questions, guiding them through their entire tax return. The amount for refund or taxes owed displayed at the top of the screen is updated along the way. The Q&A covers the latest tax law changes plus hundreds of deductions and credits to help users see where they can maximize their tax savings over the next three months.

For faster results, TaxACT has import functionality and quick entry tools for last year's tax return and this year's investment data.

Guidance through tax implications of life and health insurance changes
The new and improved content in TaxACT Life Events explains how life changes can impact income taxes. From marriage and job changes, to natural disasters and financial difficulties, users get a breakdown of related tax benefits plus valuable pointers for additional tax savings. Free Edition users can view two events, and Deluxe users have unlimited access to all events.

After completing the interview, TaxACT presents a personalized report with calculations and guidance for Affordable Care Act tax law changes. The new HealthWatch report in Free Federal and Deluxe Editions explains what impact the changes might have to help users make better informed health insurance decisions for 2014, particularly those applying for coverage in the health insurance marketplaces.

"The Affordable Care Act will have little to no impact on the majority of taxpayers for 2013," says Kintzel. "If you might be impacted by 2014 changes including the tax penalty for being uninsured and subsidies to help pay for coverage, HealthWatch alerts you and provides information for next steps."

In addition to HealthWatch, TaxACT recently launched a new website, HealthcareACT.com, to help consumers navigate the tax impact of the Affordable Care Act. It features a free year-by-year guide and calculators for estimating the uninsured tax penalty and advanced premium tax credit for 2014.

Free federal tax preparation and e-filing plus fast refunds
TaxACT programs will be updated with final IRS forms and any last-minute tax law changes in early January. TaxACT will also begin releasing state editions in early 2014.

All taxpayers can prepare, print and e-file their federal taxes free with TaxACT Free Federal Edition. TaxACT is the only free solution that includes all e-fileable forms for simple and complex returns.

With free e-file and direct deposit, TaxACT customers receive their guaranteed maximum federal refund the fastest way possible.

Small business tax solutions now available on the web
TaxACT 1065, 1120 and 1120S federal products are also now available for 2013. In addition to download software, business programs are offered as TaxACT Online products for the first time, giving business owners the ability to do their partnership or corporation returns anytime, anywhere they have an internet connection. Final federal and state editions will be released in January.

TaxACT 2013 Free Federal Edition

• Free to prepare, print and e-file your federal return -- no gimmicks, no restrictions 
• All e-fileable forms for simple and complex returns
• Transfer key data from last year's return with Quick Convert
• Quick entry tools for W-2 and investment data
• Personalized help every step of the way in the Answer Center, online and via email
• New & improved content! Life Events: expert guidance through 2 events
• Bookmarks to quickly navigate to selected interview questions any time
• Online guarantees: maximum refund, accuracy and satisfaction (or money-back for download) 
• State return additional

TaxACT 2013 Deluxe

• $9.99* online and tablet, $12.99 download software (online and tablet don't have to pay until users file, redeem phone support or print or preview completed tax forms)
• Import last year's TaxACT return and investment data
• Estimate state income taxes through early January
• Personalized help every step of the way in the Answer Center, online, via email and by phone (upon product payment)
• New & improved content! Life Events: unlimited access to all events, plus tips throughout the interview
• Enhanced! TaxTutor Guidance: easy-to-follow explanations, tips and strategies from tax experts, plus pitfalls to avoid
• Maximize your deduction for non-cash charitable donations with more than 1,300 audit-backed values in Donation Assistant
• Online guarantees: price lock, maximum refund, accuracy and satisfaction (or money-back for download)
• State return additional

TaxACT 2013 Small Business Editions (1065, 1120, 1120S)

• $39.99, now available as web-based solution in addition to desktop software
• Free federal e-file 
• Q&A interview helps maximize deductions
• Import last year's TaxACT return and quick entry tools
• Coming soon! Accounting Records Import for trial balance reports 
• Automatic allocation of Schedule K-1 data
• Summaries for depreciation, disposal and capital gains
• Personalized help every step of the way in the Answer Center, online, via email and by phone (upon product payment)
• Online guarantees: price lock and satisfaction (or money-back for download)
• State return additional

*All prices subject to change.

About TaxACT
TaxACT is the critically acclaimed leader of affordable digital and download tax preparation solutions for consumers, business owners and tax professionals. In the 2005 tax season, TaxACT became the first to offer free federal tax software and e-file to all U.S. taxpayers. Since 2000, TaxACT Online has assisted with more than 38 million e-filed federal returns. TaxACT is a business of Blucora, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCOR). Learn more about TaxACT at www.taxact.com and www.taxact.com/press.