Jackson Hewitt Review 2024

Our Rating: 2.5/5

How we calculated this rating

Founded in 1982, Jackson Hewitt has 6,000 locations across the country, giving taxpayers the ability to file their tax returns in-store with the assistance of a tax professional. Through this, millions of returns have been filed with Jackson Hewitt.

And with the introduction of its online filing options, these numbers keep growing. The Jackson Hewitt mission is to help you get the most out of your money through efficient filing. It guarantees maximum refunds and 100% accuracy, standing by its work with full confidence, and offers different filing options fit for different customers.

Some financial advisors specialize in tax planning and other financial planning services. Find an advisor who serves your area today.

Jackson Hewitt’s Filing Options

Jackson Hewitt offers just one online filing option that'll cost you $25. The site boasts that this includes both federal and state returns, as well as the ability to use the feature on even complex tax returns. The service is available on both mobile and desktop platforms, and it comes with free live chat support. For an additional cost, you can also get audit protection on your online return. Should you want to pay your fees via your refund, you'll also get charged a fee of $24.95.

Should you want tax help from a professional, Jackson Hewitt, similar to H&R Block, can provide it. The company doesn't list prices for these services online, as they likely will vary depending on the level of depth your tax situation entails. Jackson Hewitt operates 5,200 branches that you can visit professionals through, and they're open on evenings and weekends.

To give you further peace of mind, Jackson Hewitt provides an accuracy and maximum refund guarantee. So if there is a mistake on your return that’s the result of Jackson Hewitt’s services, the company will pay any penalties and interest resulting from the mistake. The maximum refund guarantee will refund your filing costs if you file with a competitor and you get a bigger return or owe less on your return.

In-Store Filing

If you don’t want to e-file, or you'd prefer to work with a professional in person, Jackson Hewitt has about 5,200 physical branches you can visit. You will work with tax professionals who are familiar with the tax code and recent law changes. They’ll discuss your personal situation with you and help you get the biggest refund possible. In-store filing includes federal and state tax preparation plus audit assistance. Jackson Hewitt also offers a prior-year review to make sure that you didn’t miss any deductions in previous years. You work with tax professionals who are familiar with the tax code and law changes. They’ll discuss your situation with you and help you get the biggest refund possible.

Refund and Payment Options

Jackson Hewitt allows you to pay for its services with a credit card or debit card. You can also use your refund to pay the fees, but it does come at an extra charge. 

When it comes to receiving your tax refund, you have multiple choices. You can directly deposit the refund into a bank account or receive it in the mail as a paper check, at no additional cost. Jackson Hewitt also allows you to put the refund on a prepaid Serve® American Express® Card.

If you need your refund quickly, Jackson Hewitt may offer you a refund advance. With an advance, you will get a loan that covers your expected refund amount, up to $6,500. The No Fee Refund Advance gives you up to $6,500 in various increments when you file. For the Early Refund Advance, this ranges up to $1,000 in size.

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Online Tools and Resources

Jackson Hewitt’s website offers numerous resources to help you navigate tax season. Its website breaks down specific forms, like those related to retirement and real estate property. There are explanations of what forms mean and what information you need to provide. This can help you get a better understanding of the entire process if you’re a first-time filer. There is also specific information on topics like overlooked deductions, as well as how healthcare issues and life events affect your taxes.

Pricing 

Jackson Hewitt’s prices are fairly below average for their tax software. The different options are fit for different users based on their filing status and financial situation. Features remain largely the same between the filing options. The biggest difference is which forms you have access to.

Who Jackson Hewitt Is For

One thing of note with Jackson Hewitt’s services is that the online filing option allows you to file multiple state returns for the same flat fee of $25. Some other services only include one state for free with their free filing option. If you need to file multiple state returns, you may want to consider Jackson Hewitt.

Self-employed filers will generally need to upgrade to the most expensive filing option with any filing service. Some other services will charge more for their most expensive option. However, there is a tradeoff to consider because other services may include features tailored to you, such as help calculating estimated taxes. If you feel comfortable filing on your own and don’t mind doing some research should questions arise, then using Jackson Hewitt could help you save money.

Another reason you may want to use Jackson Hewitt is if you want to file in-person with an expert. Because Jackson Hewitt has physical stores, you can talk face-to-face with someone to go over questions or concerns you may have.

What’s the Catch?

You cannot get help from a tax expert with Jackson Hewitt unless you file in-person. Audit support is another a common feature that you can find elsewhere, and while Jackson Hewitt offers this service, it's unclear how much it costs. You cannot get hands-on audit support from Jackson Hewitt unless you file in-person. The filing options from other companies include more help with audits as part of their e-filing options.

How Jackson Hewitt Stacks Up 

Jackson Hewitt’s prices and options are on par with other high-end tax planning services. But some of those other tax planners offer more features at the same price. 

TurboTax is one of the most popular tax planning services in the field. Its prices are higher than Jackson Hewitt but it offers more guidance throughout the filing process. It has refund breakdowns, which explain why your refund fluctuates with different factors. For an additional fee, you can also work with a tax professional. The filing options from TurboTax are also more clear for filers in certain situations. For example, the Self-Employed option provides a calculator for your estimated taxes and help with tracking business expenses throughout the year.

H&R Block is also a popular tax planning service. Like Jackson Hewitt, it has brick-and-mortar stores around the country so you can file your tax returns in person. Both companies have similar prices except that H&R Block’s most expensive option, which provides forms for self-employed filers, is more expensive. Overall, H&R Block has a very user-friendly service and makes it easy to get through tax time. The educational materials are good and there are extra features like better audit support and a W-4 (tax withholding) calculator.

Bottom Line: Should You Use Jackson Hewitt?

Jackson Hewitt is a tax planning service that allows you file online or at one of its stores. The ability to file in person is worth considering if you want extra guidance through the tax process. This could be you if your taxes have changed greatly since last year or if you just don’t know much about taxes and have a lot of questions.

The online filing options are slightly more expensive than some other services that may be free, and provide fewer extra features than similarly priced services. You may want to consider Jackson Hewitt if your taxes are bit more complex and you want the option to work with in person with a tax expert. 

Tips for Getting Through Tax Season

• Finding a financial advisor who can help with your taxes doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
• If you’re relying on your tax refund each year, you may have room to change your tax withholding. By claiming more allowances on your W-4, you decrease how much money your employer removes (withholds) from your paychecks. That means more take home pay and perhaps less reliance on your refund. You may also want to check out this paycheck tax calculator so that you understand how much your employer is supposed to withhold.