About Tax Prep
Tax season rolls around every year whether you're ready for it or not, and having the right tools makes a real difference. The tax prep category covers everything you need to file your federal and state returns accurately and on time, from do-it-yourself online filing software to guided services that walk you through every step. Whether you prefer to file on your own with a straightforward digital tool, get step-by-step support from an online tax professional, or use financial management software to keep your records organized year-round, you'll find options here for every comfort level and tax situation. Rakuten has paid out over $4.6 billion to more than 17 million members, so when it comes to earning money back on the things you need to do anyway, the savings are real.
Why Shop Through Rakuten for Tax Prep?
Tax prep is one of those annual purchases that's easy to overlook as a savings opportunity, but it shouldn't be. Whether you're buying a software subscription, upgrading to a plan that covers more of your tax situation or signing up for a financial management tool, these are real purchases where Cash Back adds up.
Shopping through Rakuten means earning Cash Back on eligible tax prep purchases from participating stores, including some of the most widely used names in filing software and financial tools. That Cash Back is stackable, too. You can layer it on top of any store promotions, seasonal discounts or promo codes that are already available. Rakuten also surfaces verified coupon codes in one place, so you're not digging around before you check out.
Tax prep purchases happen on a predictable schedule, which makes them easy to plan around. Rakuten is a trusted platform that makes it simple to get value back on a purchase you were already going to make.
How to Maximize Savings on Tax Prep
- Start your shopping trip at Rakuten. Search for your tax prep software or service before heading to their website, and activate Cash Back so your eligible purchase gets tracked.
- Stack Cash Back with store promotions and coupons. Rakuten Cash Back can often be combined with a store's existing discounts or promo codes, giving you more than one way to save at the same time.
- File early in the season. Many tax prep services offer their best pricing at the start of filing season, before demand picks up closer to the deadline.
- Check for verified promo codes before checkout. Rakuten surfaces eligible coupon codes from participating stores, so you can apply a discount without hunting for one yourself.
- Compare plan tiers before upgrading. Tax software often has multiple pricing tiers. Review what each one covers before paying for features you may not need.
- Sign up for store newsletters. Many tax prep services send discount codes to new subscribers or early registrants, which can be used alongside Rakuten Cash Back.
- Use the Rakuten browser extension. It can notify you when Cash Back is available at a participating tax prep store and remind you to activate it before you check out.
Top Picks in Tax Prep
- Online tax filing software: DIY tax filing software lets you complete and submit your federal and state returns from your own computer or phone, typically by walking you through a series of guided questions about your income, deductions and credits.
- Guided tax filing services: For filers who want more support, guided services connect you with tax professionals or review tools that check your return before submission, which can be reassuring if your tax situation is more complex.
- Tax filing services for the self-employed: Freelancers, contractors and small business owners have unique filing needs, including deductions for business expenses, home office use and self-employment income, and some platforms are built specifically for these situations.
- Personal finance and budgeting software: Year-round financial management tools help you track income, expenses and investments so you're better prepared when tax time arrives and have records organized in one place.
- Accounting software for small businesses: Small business accounting platforms help owners manage income, expenses, payroll and tax documents throughout the year, making annual filing less of a scramble.
Best Tax Prep by Use Case
| Use Case | Best Product Types | What They Help With |
|---|---|---|
| Simple returns | Basic online filing software | Filing W-2 income, standard deductions and straightforward federal and state returns |
| Self-employed filers | Self-employment tax software and accounting tools | Tracking business income, deductions and quarterly estimated taxes |
| Small business owners | Small business accounting software and tax filing platforms | Managing expenses, payroll records and annual business filings |
| First-time filers | Guided filing services with step-by-step support | Understanding tax forms, credits and deductions with built-in explanations |
| Year-round financial planning | Personal finance and budgeting software | Organizing income, expenses and investment data ahead of filing season |
| Complex tax situations | Professional-grade or guided tax prep services | Handling multiple income sources, rental properties or life changes like marriage or relocation |
Tax Prep Stores to Love
TurboTax
TurboTax is one of the most widely used tax filing platforms in the U.S., offering online software that guides filers through federal and state returns with step-by-step prompts and options for simple to complex tax situations.
H&R Block
H&R Block offers online tax filing software as well as access to tax professionals, making it a go-to for filers who want DIY flexibility or the option to get expert help with their return.
TaxAct
TaxAct is an online tax filing service that covers federal and state returns for individuals, families, freelancers and small business owners, with a straightforward interface and tiered plan options.
TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer is an online tax preparation service that covers a range of filing situations, from basic individual returns to self-employed filers who need to report business income and deductions.
e-File
e-File is an online tax filing service that lets users prepare and electronically submit their federal and state returns, with options for various income types and filing situations.
Liberty Tax
Liberty Tax offers both in-person and online tax preparation services, with trained tax professionals available to help filers navigate their returns.
Intuit QuickBooks Online
Intuit QuickBooks Online is a small business accounting platform that helps owners track income, expenses and financial data throughout the year to stay organized and prepared for tax filing.
Quicken
Quicken is personal finance software that helps individuals and families track spending, manage budgets and organize financial records, which can be particularly useful during tax season.
How Does Rakuten Work?
Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop, helping you earn Cash Back every time you buy your favorite products at thousands of stores, including some of the most popular Tax Prep brands. It's a simple way to get value back for shopping you're already doing. Here's how to start earning Cash Back:
- Join Rakuten for free. Create a free Rakuten account online, in the app or through the browser extension.
- Find a participating store. Search Rakuten for the store where you want to shop.
- Activate Cash Back. Click through Rakuten before making your purchase.
- Shop as usual. Complete your order on the store's website.
- Get paid. Eligible Cash Back is added to your Rakuten account and paid out every three months via check, PayPal, Amex Membership Rewards Points or Bilt Points.
How is it free? Stores pay Rakuten to send them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with you as Cash Back. It's as simple as that!
Why Rakuten Is a Dependable Way to Shop for Tax Prep
Trustworthiness and reliability are the foundation of a rewarding customer experience. Here's how you know you can always count on Rakuten:
- It has been around for decades. Rakuten has been helping shape the way people shop online since its founding in 1999.
- It has a huge member base and has paid out billions of dollars. Rakuten has more than 17 million members and has paid out over $4.6 billion in Cash Back in the U.S.
- It has strong user reviews. Rakuten has a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot with over 36,000 reviews, including more than 27,000 five-star reviews.
- It has thousands of partners. Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores in a huge range of shopping categories, including clothing, shoes, beauty, travel, electronics, pets, experiences and more.
- It has a straightforward model. Rakuten's structure may seem confusing at first, but it's really quite simple: Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with its members as Cash Back. That's it!
- It has a clear payment schedule and multiple payout options. Rakuten pays its members their Cash Back every three months through one of four payment options: check, PayPal, American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt Points.
- It publishes its privacy policy and terms. Rakuten provides a formal privacy policy that explains how its tracking works when you click through to a store. The company also publishes terms and conditions for its browser extension that describe how extension-collected data is handled in accordance with its privacy policy.