Jackson Hewitt has been in the tax-preparation business for more than 40 years and offered online tax-prep services for about a decade.
The company offers in-person and drop-off tax preparation at more than 5,200 offices around the U.S., about half of which are located inside Walmart stores. For its online tax software, Jackson Hewitt charges a competitive $25 flat rate, attracting those with complex situations.
Business Insider's personal finance team compared Jackson Hewitt to the best tax software and found it to be a standard offering.
Jackson Hewitt Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flat $25 fee to prepare returns online
- Live expert chat support
- In-person and drop-off options around the country
Cons
- No free-filing option online
- No mobile app
- Pricing for full-service prep varies by location
File with Jackson Hewitt
$25 for DIY filing, $0 for unlimited state returns
Pros
Cons
Jackson Hewitt offers a good online do-it-yourself tax service for a flat rate of $25, which includes federal and state returns. However, if you have a very simple tax situation with W-2 income or unemployment income, there are free options elsewhere.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Services- Simple and uncluttered user interface
- Unlimited state returns for one price
- Option to hire a tax pro
- No free package
Compare Tax Companies
Who Is Jackson Hewitt Best For?
Jackson Hewitt is best for someone who doesn't qualify for free federal filing but wants to minimize tax-prep costs by filing online for a flat rate.
Full-service filing is also available all over the country at independently owned Jackson Hewitt locations, if you prefer an in-person experience.
Overview
User Interface and Design
Filers who are comfortable doing taxes themselves will find Jackson Hewitt's no-frills platform easy to use. The guidance is clear and the interface is uncluttered, and you can save time by importing W-2s from payroll providers.
There's only one online package available for all situations at Jackson Hewitt, so you won't have to spend time deciding between plans or be bothered by offers to upgrade to the next tier, which can happen with other online services.
Step-by-Step Guidance
Like most other online tax-prep services, Jackson Hewitt asks you to create an account before answering a series of questions about your financial situation. You'll be prompted to report your income and other information to see if you're eligible for any deductions or credits before calculating your tax bill or refund.
Jackson Hewitt provides thorough explanations of each tax concept so you know what you're looking at, and makes it easy to skip around and save your place and come back later.
Customer Support
Support Options Available
While there's no option to upgrade the DIY online package to get direct help from a tax pro, customer support is available via live chat and phone, seven days a week. If you really need help, you can ditch your online prep (you don't pay until you file anyway) and book an appointment with a professional at a local Jackson Hewitt office.
Jackson Hewitt also offers separate tax resolution services to help people deal with back taxes, penalties, audits, and more.
Security and Privacy
Data Encryption and Security Measures
Jackson Hewitt Online uses industry-standard security and encryption practices to protect users' sensitive information.
Privacy Policy
You can review Jackson Hewitt's full privacy policy here to understand how the company uses and stores your information.
In-Office Tax Preparation
There are more than 5,000 local Jackson Hewitt offices where you can meet with a tax preparer and file your return. In some cases your nearest location may be located inside a Walmart store.
The Jackson Hewitt website allows you to create a tax document checklist so you know what to bring with you to your appointment.
Drop-Off Services
Local Jackson Hewitt offices also allow you to book an appointment to drop off your tax documents and let a professional handle the rest. You'll get a call from your assigned tax preparer to go over your completed return and sign it virtually before it's submitted to federal and state tax authorities.
Online Tax Preparation
Do-it-yourself tax preparation is available online from Jackson Hewitt. There's one package for all tax situations that includes a live support chat.
Accuracy and Error-Checking
Jackson Hewitt Online is backed by an accuracy guarantee that provides reimbursement for penalties or interest you are charged due to a calculation error in the program.
If you file a tax return with Jackson Hewitt and later run your situation through another tax-prep service and get a larger refund (or smaller bill), Jackson Hewitt will refund your tax-prep fees and pay you $100 when you file an amended return.
Refund Advance Options
If you need your refund before the IRS starts processing tax returns, you can apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan at your local Jackson Hewitt office beginning December 16.
Beware that the loan comes with a steep 35.96% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and the full balance is repaid directly from your tax refund. Loans are available for $100, $300, $500, $1,000, and $1,500.
A No Fee Tax Refund Advance loan is available at most Jackson Hewitt locations from January 2 to February 16 after you file your tax return. No-fee loans are available for $250, $500, $700, $1,000, $1,500, $2,500, $3,000, and $3,500.
Loans can be direct deposited into your bank account or delivered to you same-day on an American Express prepaid debit card. To apply for a refund advance loan, you'll need to bring your most recent paystub and a government-issued ID to a Jackson Hewitt office.
Cost
Jackson Hewitt offers a single package for all tax situations that's cheaper than the lowest-cost packages from TurboTax and H&R Block before applying any discounts.
However, Jackson Hewitt does not offer a free package, even for the most simple tax situations. The IRS estimates up to 70% of Americans qualify for free online tax preparation services, so you shouldn't pay if you don't have to.
In-Office Pricing
Jackson Hewitt offers two ways to hire a tax professional to prepare your return.
You can drop off your income and tax documents at an office and a tax pro will prepare your return and file it. There are more than 5,200 Jackson Hewitt office locations across the U.S., about half of which are in Walmart stores. The cost will be determined in the store.
You can also book an appointment and meet with a tax professional face-to-face at a Jackson Hewitt office. If you'd like to hire a tax pro, the price will vary depending on the expert you choose and how complex your tax situation is.
Online Pricing
Jackson Hewitt's single, flat-rate bundle covers one federal return and unlimited state returns for $25.
Homeowners, parents, freelancers, investors, and everyone in between can file with this package. Companies like H&R Block and TurboTax usually charge more as your situation gets more complex, plus an additional fee for each state return you file. However, those tax-prep companies also offer a free plan for filers who qualify.
Refund Advance Fees
The Jackson Hewitt refund advance loan is fee-free for qualifying applicants who have filed their federal tax return. The loan is repaid directly through your refund, so you'll receive any remaining refund amount once it's paid off.
The standard refund advance loan charges 35.96% APR, which translates to a finance charge of $7.39 on a $100 loan to $110.85 on a $1,500 loan.
Customer Experience
Overall Rating and Satisfaction
Jackson Hewitt offices are independently owned and operated. On Yelp, there have been about 1,200 reviews across all locations, with an average rating of 3.7 of out 5 stars, indicating many customers are satisfied.
Jackson Hewitt locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees. In November 2024, a federal judge approved a $10.8 million settlement between former employees and the company to resolve antitrust claims. These claims are not believed to impact customers.
Alternatives
H&R Block
Pros
Cons
H&R Block has something for everyone, whether you're filing online yourself, looking for expert advice, or want to hand it off to a professional. While it doesn't offer the lowest prices you'll find for tax software, the quality of the overall user experience can justify the higher cost.
H&R Block- File your own taxes
- Step-by-step guidance
- Add expert tax help any time
- Real time results
Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block are similar companies, with each operating brick-and-mortar tax preparation locations across the U.S. as well as online tax-prep programs. For DIY options, Jackson Hewitt is cheaper for some filers, but H&R Block offers a wider range of features, including online expert assistance included with every plan and a package geared specifically toward self-employed people.
TurboTax
$0 for Free Edition (~37% of filers qualify. Form 1040 and no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest), $39 to $69 for Deluxe, $89 to $129 for Premium
Pros
Cons
TurboTax is among the most expensive options for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration.
TurboTax Tax Software- Tell TurboTax about your life and it will guide you step by step. Jumpstart your taxes with last year’s info.
- Snap a photo of your W-2 or 1099-NEC and TurboTax will put your info in the right places.
- CompleteCheck™ scans your return so you can be confident it’s 100% accurate.
- You won’t pay for TurboTax until it’s time to file and you’re fully satisfied.
- TurboTax is committed to getting you your maximum refund, guaranteed.
Jackson Hewitt and TurboTax both offer full-service tax prep, but Jackson Hewitt gives filers the option to meet their tax pro in person. For online filers, one reason to choose Jackson Hewitt over TurboTax is if you don't qualify for TurboTax's free filing option. In that case, you'll pay a flat rate of $25 at Jackson Hewitt vs. $39 or more at TurboTax, depending on the complexity of your taxes.
Why You Should Trust Us
We rated Jackson Hewitt by evaluating the cost, value, and user experience of its online tax software product. Together, these factors make up 75% of our rating.
We also considered whether and how users have the ability to access tax experts and the company's overall trustworthiness, which encompasses pricing transparency and overall reputation. These factors accounted for a combined 25% of our rating.
For more information, see our tax software methodology.
FAQs
Is Jackson Hewitt's tax preparation service worth the cost?
Jackson Hewitt's $25 online filing option may be worth the cost if you don't expect to need help from a tax professional. In-person and drop-off tax prep options are also available, but costs vary by location.
What are the benefits of using Jackson Hewitt's online tax service?
The main benefit of using Jackson Hewitt's online service is the low price. Jackson Hewitt has been in the tax-preparation business for decades, and its self-prep filing program is backed by accuracy and satisfaction guarantees.
How does Jackson Hewitt ensure the accuracy of my return?
Jackson Hewitt offers an accuracy guarantee. If you have to pay interest or penalties due to an error in Jackson Hewitt Online's software, the company will reimburse you.
Can I get an advance on my tax refund with Jackson Hewitt?
You can apply for a tax refund advance loan at your local Jackson Hewitt office. The loans come in various sizes, from $100 to $3,500, and may or may not have fees, depending on when you apply. The money can be deposited into a bank account or loaded onto a prepaid American Express card.
What kind of customer support does Jackson Hewitt offer?
For online customers, Jackson Hewitt offers live chat and phone support. In-person and drop-off filers can meet face-to-face with their assigned tax professional.
