Jackson Hewitt Review [2025]: Simple Online Tax Filing With Optional In-Person Help

The best tax software can make tax prep simpler. But with so many choices of tax filing programs out there, deciding which option is right for you can be one of the more complicated parts of figuring out how to manage money effectively.

Jackson Hewitt is one tax filing option, and it's a good one regardless of whether you want to file your taxes online or you need in-person help. This Jackson Hewitt review can help you decide whether its services are right for you.

Jackson Hewitt: The basics

Jackson Hewitt has been providing tax services since 1982. Millions of people use the firm's e-filing service or get help in person at one of over 5,200 locations, including 2,600 in Walmarts around the country.

Using the company's services is convenient even if you need in-person help from a tax preparer. In-person tax services are also available during evening and weekend hours for filers who have a busy schedule and can't visit a tax pro during business hours.

Unlike some other tax filing services, Jackson Hewitt Tax is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and it has received an A+ rating. Also unlike some competitors, you get federal and state e-filing for $25 flat.

How much does Jackson Hewitt cost: Products and pricing

Online tax filing

For the DIYers, you can file state and federal returns for $25 with Jackson Hewitt Online, regardless of how complicated your tax situation is. Many online tax prep platforms, including TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct, have different pricing tiers for different services, with higher fees for more complicated tax scenarios and additional support. However, there is no free version with Jackson Hewitt.

Jackson Hewitt Online also offers a Transparent Pricing Guarantee that ensures you won't pay more than $25 for e-filing services. This is also unusual, as many providers will increase their prices from one year to the next. Here are some of the common tax forms and situations that Jackson Hewitt covers with its online program:

Standard or itemized deductions Capital gains and losses Rental property income Student loan interest Job, self-employment, freelance, business, and farm income Child tax credit and dependent care credit

Unemployment income Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Household employment taxes Education deductions and credits Social security benefits All IRS forms and schedules

Having this many forms included in a low-priced tax prep plan is unusual, especially when compared to online software giants.

In-person tax filing

For support from an expert, you can pay to file with the help of a local Tax Pro. However, we can't tell you exactly how much this will cost. According to Jackson Hewitt, many of its office locations are independently owned, and owners determine pricing for tax filing. Your rate will also be affected by factors such as the complexity of your taxes, so we recommend calling Jackson Hewitt or contacting the local office closest to you for more information.

Instead of working side-by-side with an expert to fill out your tax return, you can also drop off your forms and have them do most of the filing for you.

How does Jackson Hewitt work?

Jackson Hewitt stands apart from competitors because it enables you to file multiple state returns for a flat fee, whereas some competitors charge per return.

Regardless of your tax situation, taxpayers must pay to file with Jackson Hewitt. This is common, though some online filing programs provide more options with a free version. For example, TurboTax free allows you to claim child tax credits,¹ <p><b>TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Form 1040 Returns with Limited Credits</b></p><p>A Form 1040 return with limited credits is one that's filed using IRS Form 1040 only (with the exception of the specific covered situations described below). Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.</p><p>If you have a Form 1040 return and are claiming limited credits only, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Full Service at the listed price.</p><p><b>Situations covered (assuming no added tax complexity):</b></p><ul><li>W-2 income</li><li>Interest or dividends (1099-INT/1099-DIV) that don’t require filing a Schedule B</li><li>IRS standard deduction</li><li>Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)</li><li>Child Tax Credit (CTC)</li><li>Student loan interest deduction</li></ul><p><b>Situations not covered:</b></p><p></p><ul><li>Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A</li><li>Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G</li><li>Business or 1099-NEC income</li><li>Stock sales (including crypto investments)</li><li>Rental property income</li><li>Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules&nbsp;</li></ul><p></p> , but you'll need to pay the flat fee Jackson Hewitt's product to do that.

Jackson Hewitt also promises to get you the maximum refund amount, and its Maximum Refund Guarantee goes beyond what some competitors offer. Although many companies refund your tax filing fees if a different software program would net you a larger tax refund, Jackson Hewitt will do that and give you an additional $100.

It also offers a Lifetime Accuracy Guarantee, so you won't have to worry about any mistakes that cost you money. If calculation errors in your return with Jackson Hewitt result in penalties or interest, it will cover the amount as long as you provide notice and documentation within 30 days of the IRS sending you a notification of an issue. 

Jackson Hewitt pros and cons

Pros

• You can file multiple state returns without extra costs (aside from the $25 flat fee). Most competitors charge for each additional state return, and some, such as Cash App Taxes, don't allow multiple state tax returns.
• Its maximum refund guarantee is more powerful than most competitors. You'll not only get your filing fees back but will also get $100 if another software program would've netted you a larger refund.
• The company is Better Business Bureau-accredited and has received an A+ rating, and it's rated better than many other tax services on Trustpilot.

Cons

• The online program does not provide an option to have your return reviewed by a tax professional.
• Audit assurance is not included in the flat fee. If the IRS audits you, you won't get the same level of help many competitors offer without paying the extra.
  
• The interface is less intuitive than some competitors, and you don't have the option to upload your tax forms for automated entry.

How to contact Jackson Hewitt

You have three options to contact Jackson Hewitt tax service if you have questions or need tax support:

• You can call 800-234-1040 between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays.
• You can use live chat between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.
• You can visit one of over 5,000 local offices, including more than 2,000 locations in Walmarts across the U.S.

FAQs

Bottom line

Figuring out the best option for filing taxes can be a challenging aspect of how to manage your money. Jackson Hewitt may be a great choice if you have income from multiple states or if you want to work with a company that stands behind its promise to help you get the biggest possible refund.

But if you want a company that offers audit support or provides the opportunity to use its free service, then you might want to consider working with a competitor this tax season.

The ability to visit a Jackson Hewitt location during the weekend or evening hours at a Walmart is a major advantage, especially if you think you may end up needing more help than you can find online. The company's live online chat or phone support is also available seven days a week, so help from a tax professional is just a call or click away when you need it.

If Jackson Hewitt doesn't sound like the right choice for you, check out our picks for the best tax software.