For years, Jackson Hewitt has been making tax filing easy and accessible through it’s Walmart store locations. It’s also working to make DIY filing easy through it’s online software.
However, the company’s online filing isn’t nearly as simple as filing through a Walmart. This year, most users should pass on Jackson Hewitt Online. Here’s why.
You can also see how Jackson Hewitt Online compares to the other top tax software this year.
Quick Summary
- Above average prices for online filing
- No fringe benefits like audit support or in-person review
- May be difficult for complex filers or investors to use
Jackson Hewitt Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Jackson Hewitt Online |
Federal Price | $25 |
State Price | $24 |
Preparation Type | Self-Prepared |
Promotions | None |
Can You File For Free?
Jackson Hewitt Online cut out the free option this year. All users will pay $49 for Federal + State filing or $25 for Federal only filing.
One interesting twist is that the $49 option includes unlimited state returns. If you work in several states, this could be a great deal for you.
What's New In 2021?
This year, Jackson Hewitt’s big change is related to the pricing structure. All users will pay $49 for state and Federal filing or $25 for Federal only filing. The user interface also boasts a few new tweaks which make it somewhat easier to navigate.
One thing that Jackson Hewitt Online hasn’t changed is its separation of brands. For the most part, Jackson Hewitt’s retail or “in-person” brand operates separately from the online brand. Jackson Hewitt’s “Tax Pro From Home” option is advertised through it’s more traditional channels.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Software Price
Jackson Hewitt’s pricing is for software only. It doesn’t come with any special features such as audit assistance guarantees or in-person checks.
Additionally, Jackson Hewitt’s 0% tax anticipation loan options ARE NOT available to online customers. You must pay for in person filing to qualify for these loans. Potential customers should also note that Jackson Hewitt may intend to raise its prices closer to the filing deadline, as its website denoted these prices as “limited time only.”
Federal Only | Federal + State | |
|---|---|---|
Best For: | If you only have a Federal tax return | All Others |
Federal: | $25 | $25 |
State: | $0 | $24 |
Total Cost: | $25 | $49 |
Online Navigation
Jackson Hewitt Online appears to use a white-labeled version of tax software issued by Drake Tax Software. That means it is a more expensive version of the 1040.com software.
Overall, the software offers an intuitive and easy to use navigation experience. It combines simple questions and drop-down menus to help users file efficiently.
However, landlords may struggle with the software. Users must manually add a Schedule E through the search button to enter rental income. This makes it a poor choice for users with rental income.
Ease Of Use
While Jackson Hewitt Online offers simple navigation, it is not particularly easy to use. It offers no obvious way to upload W-2 Forms (though the website claims this is only for particular users). It also doesn’t offer the option to upload last year’s taxes for the sake of comparison. Perhaps this is a function that is expected later in the season, but it’s a disappointment to not get what is advertised. Users should note that 1040.com does not advertise this functionality.
Aside from the requirement to enter all information yourself, the software is fairly easy to use. The inputs required for “depreciation” calculators for business assets or other complex tax things were easy to understand. However, everything related to rental properties had to be done by hand which is quite cumbersome.
Knowledge Articles
Jackson Hewitt Online has a great set of resources on its primary webpage. These resources include a “document prep list” and various tax calculators.
Within the filing software itself, resources are much more limited. Users can find a few FAQ knowledge articles. Additionally, the “Tell Me More” buttons sprinkled throughout the software offer useful translations for people who aren’t tax minded.
Extras
Jackson Hewitt Online doesn’t include a lot of extras, but users can access customer service via Live Chat anytime. The service doesn’t include an audit protection guarantee or other information.
Unlike Liberty Tax Online (which offers an in-person double-check guarantee), Jackson Hewitt keeps its online presence from the in-person store locations.
Can Jackson Hewitt Help With My Crypto Investments?
Jackson Hewitt Online technically supports tax filing for cryptocurrency transactions. But entering this information is cumbersome and probably not a good use of time. If you trade cryptocurrency regularly, our recommendation is to use TurboTax or to use CryptoTrader.Tax to generate the appropriate forms for you.
Can I Request My Missing Stimulus Check?
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and corresponding economic closures, congress passed two rounds of stimulus funding. By mid-January, most qualifying taxpayers should have received their second round of funding.
Those who didn’t get the checks may qualify for a Rebate Recovery Credit when they file their taxes. Jackson Hewitt Online makes it easy to request this rebate. Users simply answer questions about the money they received and Jackson Hewitt Online does the rest.
How Does Jackson Hewitt Compare?
Although Jackson Hewitt Online offers a decent user experience, it doesn’t deliver great value. Less expensive alternatives like Credit Karma Tax and FreeTaxUSA offer better experiences at lower or free prices.
We’ve also compared Jackson Hewitt Online to TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA - a premium option and a low cost option.
Header | |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
Rating | |||
Stimulus Check | Federal | Free | Free |
Unemployment Income | Federal | Free | Free |
Student Loan Interest | Federal | Deluxe | Free |
Import Last Year's Taxes | Not Supported | Free | Free |
Import/Picture of W2 | Not Supported | Free | Not Available |
Multiple States | Federal + State | $40 per additional state | $12.95 per additional state |
Multiple W2s | Federal | Free | Free |
Earned Income Tax Credit | Federal | Free | Free |
Child Tax Credit | Federal | Free | Free |
HSAs | Federal | Deluxe | Free |
Retirement Contributions | Federal | Free | Free |
Retirement Income (SS, Pension, etc.) | Federal | Free | Free |
Interest Income | Federal | Free (but limited) | Free |
Itemize Deductions | Federal | Deluxe | Free |
Dividend Income | Federal | Free (but limited) | Free |
Capital Gains Income | Federal | Premier | Free |
Rental Income | Federal | Premier | Free |
Self-Employment Income | Federal | Self-Employed | Free |
Audit Support | Not Supported | Add-On | Deluxe |
Small Business Owner (over $5k in expenses) | Federal | Self-Employed | Free |
Free Tier Price | N/A | $0 Fed & $0 State | $0 Fed & $12.95 State |
Deluxe Tier Price | $25 or $49 | $40 Fed & $40 State | $6.99 Fed & $12.95 State |
Premium Tier Price | $25 or $49 | $70 Fed & $40 State | $6.99 Fed & $12.95 State |
Self-Employed Tier Price | $25 or $49 | $90 Fed & $40 State | $6.99 Fed & $12.95 State |
Cell |
Final Thoughts On Jackson Hewitt In 2021
Jackson Hewitt doesn’t make our shortlist in 2021. The user interface is okay, but it doesn’t offer enough added value to make the price worthwhile. The product needs greater differentiation to become worth considering. The only people who may be enticed by this are those who file in multiple states. However, 1040.com also offers multi-state filing for less money.
Users looking for a bargain can look to Credit Karma Tax or TaxHawk rather than Jackson Hewitt Online. Others may prefer a high-end software like H&R Block or TurboTax. No matter what you’re seeking, we have recommendations for software based on your filing situation.
Jackson Hewitt Review
- Pricing
- Ease Of Use
- Customer Service
- Filing Options
Overall
Summary
Jackson Hewitt is an online and brick and mortar tax preparation company. They are most known for having locations in Wal-Marts nationwide, as well as offering generous tax refund advance loans.
Pros
- Lots of convenient locations in Wal-Marts nationwide
- Solid tax refund anticipation loan offerings
Cons
- Online tax filing software is middle of the pack
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page, or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.