At a Glance
- $25 flat fee covers federal and unlimited state returns
- Limited for complex filings and no free tier
- Overall score 5.4/10 with strong pricing but weak experience
- Why it matters: You’ll know exactly how much you’ll pay and where the platform may struggle for your tax situation
Jackson Hewitt Online offers a clear price but leaves many users frustrated by its limited tools and clunky interface. The review looks at how the service stacks up in affordability, eligibility, experience, features, and expert support.
Pricing and Affordability
Jackson Hewitt’s $25 flat fee is one of the simplest structures in the market. It covers both federal and state returns, eliminating the extra cost that competitors charge for each state. The company does not offer a free filing option, even for the simplest returns.
- Flat fee: $25 for federal + unlimited state
- No free tier: All filers pay $25
- No upgrade path: You cannot add a tax-pro tier after starting the return
| Tier | Who can use it | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hewitt | Most individuals | Federal & state filing, live chat | $25 |
| Cash App Taxes | Simple filers | Free federal & state | $0 |
| H&R Block | Varied | Free if eligible, otherwise paid | $0-$37 |
| TurboTax | Varied | Free federal if eligible, state varies | $0-$69 |
Additional fees may arise if you opt for extras. An Assisted Refund fee of $54.95 applies if you choose to have the preparation fee deducted from your refund. For audit protection, a separate Worry-Free Guarantee can be purchased.
Eligibility and Use Cases
Jackson Hewitt Online is best for simple filers who take the standard deduction and have a W-2. The platform’s guidance is minimal for more complex situations.
- Standard deduction: Works well with a quick Q&A flow
- Investment income: Supports Schedule D but requires manual entry of Form 1099-B and no guided workflow for equity compensation
- Self-employment: Supports Schedule C but does not import 1099-NEC and lacks accounting software integration
- Rental income: Supports Schedule E with manual data entry
- Foreign taxes: Allows foreign tax credit entry but offers little guidance
Because of these limitations, filers with investment or self-employment income may find the process tedious and error-prone.
Experience and Ease of Use
The user experience earns a 4/10. Onboarding is lengthy, especially for new users who must answer many questions instead of importing past data. The interface is bare-bones and not fully mobile-optimized.
- No mobile app: Users must rely on the website
- Limited import tools: Only past Jackson Hewitt returns can be imported
- Step-by-step interview: Five sections-personal, income, deductions, other taxes, review
- Desktop recommended: Mobile site lacks full functionality
The lack of a mobile app and limited import options make the platform less convenient than rivals.
Features
Jackson Hewitt Online scores 5/10 for features. It offers basic accuracy checks and a 100 % refund guarantee for calculation errors, but its educational resources and AI assistant are weak.
- Accuracy check: Real-time error highlighting
- Audit risk assessment: Not included; must buy separate protection
- Tax guidance: Basic articles and videos, many redirect to IRS pages
- Maximum refund guarantee: Applies only to federal returns
- AI assistant: Often fails to answer simple questions
The platform’s limited educational content and ineffective AI assistant reduce its overall usefulness.
Expert Support and Access to Tax Professionals
Expert support receives a 5/10. Live chat is available during business hours, but it does not connect users with a CPA or enrolled agent. To get professional help, users must visit a physical Jackson Hewitt location.
- Live chat: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. ET weekdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET Saturdays (Jan-Apr)
- No online pro access: Separate service required for tax professional review
- In-person option: Requires different pricing at each location
This limitation means that online filers cannot rely on expert guidance within the platform.
Final Verdict
Jackson Hewitt Online works for basic filing situations but falls short in many areas. The flat $25 price is transparent and competitive, but the lack of a free tier, limited import tools, and weak user experience make it less attractive for complex returns.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Price & Affordability | 8 |
| Eligibility & Use Cases | 5 |
| Experience & Ease of Use | 4 |
| Features | 5 |
| Expert Support | 5 |
| Overall | 5.4 |
The platform’s design can feel clunky, and the platform’s only real advantage is the cost transparency.
Methodology
The review tested each platform on mobile and desktop using the same basic tax scenarios. Scores were based on how well each service handled simple, itemized, investment, rental, and self-employment returns, as well as the clarity of pricing, ease of onboarding, feature set, and expert support.
Key Takeaways
- $25 flat fee covers federal and unlimited state returns, but there’s no free tier.
- The platform struggles with complex filings, requiring manual data entry and offering minimal guidance.
- Live chat is available, but online access to a tax professional is not.
Jackson Hewitt Online may be a good fit for straightforward tax returns, but users with investment or self-employment income should consider alternatives.
This review was written by Caleb R. Anderson for News Of Fort Worth.
