Although many of the best personal finance software for Macs are great at managing your money, they’re not so good when it comes to tax time.
We’ve therefore looked at the best tax filing software for Mac to help maximize your refund in 2025.
We’ve looked at both personal income tax preparation software and software for small businesses that need S-Corp filing too.
Remember that you can file from the 27th of January 2025 and the US tax filing deadline is Tuesday 15th of April 2025.
Here then is our selection of the best tax preparation software for Macs.
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1. TurboTax Online (Free)
- Recommended if you own a home, have charitable donations, high medical expenses and need to file both Federal & State Tax Returns
- Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
- NEW. Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)
- Get your taxes done right and your maximum refund
- Maximizes 375+ deductions and credits
Intuit’s TurboTax is the most widely used tax preparation app out there and it offers a free Federal Free Edition for simple returns.
It also offers both a Mac desktop app for offline use and an online version.
Simply import your W-2, answer a few questions, and let TurboTax calculate your maximum refund.
It provides 350+ tax deductions, double-checks for accuracy, and guarantees 100% correct calculations.
TurboTax Versions
- Federal Free Edition: Free for simple 1040EZ/1040A returns if income is under $100K and no homeownership. Some states may charge a filing fee. For incomes over this limit and home owners you need the Federal Basic Edition ($49.99)
- Deluxe Edition: Adds deduction identification and enhanced support. Not suitable for LLC tax returns. ($69.99)
- Premier Edition: Supports rental properties, investments, and advanced deductions. ($114.99)
- Business Edition (Windows only): Best for freelancers and small businesses. Handles Schedule C and depreciation calculations. ($188.99)
Note that the Business edition of TurboTax for filing S-Corp taxes is not available for Macs.
Key Features of TurboTax for Mac:
- Easy-to-use interface with tools like “W-2 Snap & Autofill” and “SmartLook” live support.
- Audit Protection offers Risk Meter, Audit Support Guarantee, and optional full representation.
- Accuracy Protection: Intuit covers IRS fees if calculations are incorrect.
- Step-by-step guidance for filing.
- Live CPA assistance (available as an add-on across all versions).
- Supports W-2, 1099, Schedule C, and more.
- Automatic import of tax documents and integration with QuickBooks.
System Requirements Requires macOS Ventura 13 or later for the desktop version.
Summary: TurboTax remains the best choice for tax filing on Macs, especially for self-employed users. While its pricing and removal of features from lower tiers may deter some, its intuitive interface, accuracy guarantees, and excellent support make it worthwhile for most taxpayers.
You can start filing with TurboTax for free now.
2. H&R Block
- Choose to put your refund on an Amazon gift card and you can get a 2% bonus. See below for details
- Quickly import your W-2, 1099, 1098, and last year’s personal tax return, even from TurboTax and Quicken Software
- Step-by-step Q&A guidance
- Itemize deductions with Schedule A
- Accuracy Review checks for issues and assesses your audit risk
H&R Block is one of the most widely used tax return platforms, alongside TurboTax. It’s also one of the few that offer both an online and Mac desktop version.
A unique feature of H&R Block is its network of physical offices across the US, where you can meet with tax specialists in person for assistance, saving you time and stress compared to phone support.
This makes H&R Block ideal for small business owners or anyone with complex tax situations, as you can receive in-person advice on your finances.
H&R Block Versions
- Basic: For simple tax returns, allows importing W2, 1099, and previous tax returns, and includes Refund Reveal. ($39.99)
- Deluxe: Ideal for homeowners and investors, adds guidance on mortgage interests and investments. ($51.99)
- Premium: Adds support for small business owners and rental property income (Schedule C and E). ($84.99)
- Premium & Business (Windows Only): The most comprehensive option for small business owners, covering corporate, partnership, and LLC returns. ($99.99)
Key Features:
- Refund Guarantee: If you get a higher refund with another app, H&R Block will refund the difference.
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee: They cover IRS penalties for any software inaccuracies.
- Audit Protection: They manage audits resulting from using their software (but not against being audited by the IRS).
- Secure Connections: Several layers of security for online filings.
- W2 Finder: The ability to find and upload your W2 directly via an iOS device or take a photo of it.
While TurboTax has a more refined interface, H&R Block’s face-to-face support and overall service make it a good choice for those that prefer the options of speaking to someone face-to-face.
You can start filing for free with H&R Block here.
3. TaxAct
TaxAct is a well-known alternative to the major names in tax filing – TurboTax and H&R Block.
While it doesn’t have a dedicated Mac app, it offers an easy to use online platform that works in any browser on macOS.
TaxAct shares some similarities in design and workflow with TurboTax and H&R Block but is more affordable across most versions.
TaxAct Versions:
- Free: Basic returns for simple tax situations.
- Deluxe: For homeowners and those with deductions like HSA contributions. ($29.99)
- Premier: Focused on investments and rental property income. ($49.99)
- Self-Employed: For freelancers and small business owners with expense tracking and more. ($69.99)
Key Features of TaxAct:
- Affordable pricing for federal and state returns.
- Online filing for S-Corp taxes (TaxAct Online Business 1120S) available for Mac users, though at an extra cost.
- Free phone support included with all plans.
- Deduction maximizer to identify opportunities for maximizing refunds.
- Provides a “price lock guarantee” to lock in next year’s filing price.
- Allows importing of investments, 1099 forms, Schedule K-1s, and PDFs (though with limited financial institution support).
Summary: TaxAct is a fast, efficient, and affordable tax filing service. It is particularly appealing to Mac users who need personal tax filing or S-Corp filing capabilities. While it may lack some of the polish and advanced features of its competitors, it remains a reliable and budget-friendly choice for tax preparation.
You can start filing for free now using TaxAct here.
4. TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer is an easy to use, no nonsense tax filing software that offers some of the most competitive prices on the tax prep market.
TaxSlayer is online only so there’s no Mac app but it has a simple, cost effective pricing model depending on your needs.
If you’re just filing a simple tax return, TaxSlayer is completely free including for both federal and state taxes or Form 1040 EZ.
TaxSlayer Versions:
- Simply Free: For simple returns (Form 1040EZ).
- Classic: Covers all major federal forms and W-2 imports. ($22.95)
- Premium: Includes priority support and tax help. ($42.95)
- Self-Employed: Tailored for contractors, freelancers, and 1099 filers. ($52.95)
Key Features of Tax Slayer:
Features:
- Offers a clean, easy-to-use interface for straightforward tax filing.
- Free federal and state filing for simple returns, including Form 1040EZ.
- Special free filing for military personnel, regardless of complexity.Account security features, including SMS verification.
You can start filing for free with TaxSlayer now..
5. Cash App Taxes
Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax), is a free online tax preparation service that offers a straightforward alternative to platforms like TurboTax and H&R Block.
It offers a single version that is completely free for both federal and state tax filing.
There are no separate versions like those in TurboTax or H&R Block.
It supports various IRS forms and schedules, including Schedule C for small business owners, allowing users to file both simple and complex returns, including state returns.
Key Features of Cash App Taxes:
- Supports a wide range of forms, including Schedule C (for small businesses) Schedule E (for rental property income)
- Supports various 1099 forms
- No hidden fees or add-ons.
- Simple and straightforward interface for entering personal info, dependents, and tax data.
- View estimated refund before filing.
On the downside of Cash App Taxes:
- Limited import features: Can import basic W-2s, but no support for investment or interest data.
- No guidance to maximize deductions or tax savings.
- Minimal support if issues arise, unlike larger tax filing platforms.
Overall, Cash App Taxes is ideal for tax-savvy users who are comfortable with tax forms and deductions.
You can start filing with it now.
Tax Software Comparison Table
Feature | TurboTax | H&R Block | TaxAct | TaxSlayer Pro | Cash App Taxes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Platform | Desktop & Online | Desktop & Online | Online only | Online only | Online only |
Ease of Use | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Good | Good |
Cost | $$$ | $$ | $ | Free – $ | Free |
Live Support | Yes (add-on) | Yes | Yes (higher tiers) | No | No |
Best For | Self-employed, complex returns | Simple to complex returns | Budget-conscious filers | Basic to moderate returns | Free filers |
Mobile Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Business & S-Corp Taxes
Unfortunately, there is no Mac desktop software that supports small business and S-Corp tax filing on Mac.
The desktop business editions of H&R Block and TurboTax do support S-Corp filing but they are only available for Windows (there’s a support thread from TurboTax about this issue here saying it’s due to the relatively small number of Mac users).
The only option for Mac users is the TaxAct Online Business 1120S Service which allows you to file S-Corp taxes online from any platform but it costs $164.99.
Best Solutions For UK Based Mac Users
The options for standalone Self Assessment tax filing software in the UK are far less than in the USA.
Most of the best tax return tools for UK users are integrated into business accounting packages.
The best one for UK small businesses is Freshbooks which is both HMRC approved and Making Tax Digital compliant
QuickBooks also offers UK tax assessment integration and is more suitable for medium to large businesses.
However, there are a few online Self Assessment tax filing options out there for UK users such as GoSimpleTax and TaxCalc.
GoSimpleTax allows you to calculate your self-assessment tax return for free and you only pay if you choose to file through it.
TaxCalc is officially recognized by HMRC and supports more complex needs such as non-UK tax residence, trusts income, foreign tax relief and it also has a Mac desktop app.
FAQ: Tax Filing Software
How To Choose a Tax Filing App
The three most important aspects to any tax filing app is that it does things accurately, simply and maximizes your return.
A bonus is that it does all this for free although you’ll find almost every tax filing solution only offer this for State and Federal returns.
The sort of information you’ll need on hand to enter are typically:
- W-2 Income
- College Tuition Expenses
- Interest and Dividend Income
- Mortgage Interest
- Other Income and Expenses
Important documents and information to make sure you have include:
- W-2 and 1099: One handy feature of TurboTax is that it allows you to take a photo of these documents and import them into the software.
- Student loan interest form including tuition fees (1098-E)
- Mortgage and Property interest (Form 1098)
- Contributions to IRAs or retirement funds
- Any medical bills greater than 10% of your income
- Receipts for business expenses and other deductibles
- Charitable donation receipts
If you’ve got these handy, it will make life easier whichever solution you choose so that you don’t end-up wondering if there’s something missing or if you’ve forgotten something.
Which Credits, Refunds And Deductions Are Supported?
If you’ve made a big purchase (such as a hybrid or electric car) and are expecting a nice big refund for it, double-check that the software supports those kind of returns.
Most providers usually keep software updated annually regarding tax laws and what’s refundable or not but they’re not always bang on the ball so check with the developer first if you’ve made a major purchase.
Important credits and deductions worth looking at in any software include:
- Charity Donations
- Itemized Deductions
- Business Owner Deductions
- Depreciation Summaries
- Rental Property Deductions
Finally, it’s also worth checking what payment methods the app accepts for tax refunds such as check, bank transfer, prepaid debit card, credit card, savings bonds etc as some only support specific refund types.
Accuracy And Audit Protection Guarantees
Check whether the software offers any guarantees regarding accuracy and audit protection.
Both TurboTax and HR Block offer guarantees for both which gives you some support or financial compensation if you’re informed by by the IRS that there’s a problem with your return.
Along with deduction maximization and general support, this is one of the major differences between paid and free tax applications.
For instance, TurboTax’s Audit Defense feature means that in the case of an audit, an Intuit tax professional will take care of administrating an audit so that you can concentrate on other things.
TurboTax also offers an accuracy guarantee that in case of any inaccuracies, it will pay any of your IRS penalties.
Note however that no tool can provide guarantees that you won’t be audited – they simply provide comprehensive backup and mediation if you are.
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