JumpSteps · tax filing

The right tax filing option, matched to your tax situation.

JumpSteps reviews hundreds of tax software options and services — then surfaces the ones built to match your filing situation, scored 0–100. No guesswork. No generic "best of" lists.

Claire AI matches and scores accounts based on your goals.

Find matching accounts Share goals with Claire →

An example Match Score — yours is calculated from your goals in under a minute.

100%

of Top Providers, rated¹

1,200+

Financial Products Scored

Independent rating sources

24/7

Re-checked as offers change

¹ Reflects JumpSteps editorial coverage of leading U.S. providers and the products they offer. Editorial ratings and Match Scores are produced independently of commercial relationships.

Start with what you need

What does your tax filing situation look like?

Tax filing options seem interchangeable until you factor in your specific situation. Pick the scenario that matches your needs — Claire takes it from there and surfaces the solutions built for it, scored against your situation.

Simple returns Most common

File simple returns at zero cost

Best free tax filing options

W-2 only, standard deduction, straightforward situation? Free filing options handle basic returns without upgrade pressure or hidden fees along the way.

★ Commonly chosen by

People with simple tax situations who want to file correctly without paying for features they don't need.

✓ Federal filing included ✓ W-2 and basic forms ✓ Standard deduction ✓ Direct deposit refunds

Refund optimization Money back

Find every deduction and credit

Best max-refund tax filing options

Some tax software actively hunts for missed deductions and credits others overlook. We surface the options built around refund maximization, not just accurate filing.

★ Commonly chosen by

People who want to squeeze every dollar from their return and suspect they're missing deductions.

✓ Deduction discovery ✓ Credit optimization ✓ Refund estimates ✓ Year-round tracking

Freelance & business Growing segment

Handle 1099s and business expenses

Best self-employed tax filing options

Freelancers and self-employed need different forms, deduction tracking, and quarterly payment planning. We surface tax solutions built specifically for business income complexity.

★ Commonly chosen by

People with 1099 income and business expenses who need more than basic employee tax software.

✓ Schedule C support ✓ Business expense tracking ✓ 1099 processing ✓ Quarterly payment help

Professional guidance Live support

Talk to a CPA when you need one

Best expert-backed tax filing options

Complex situations need human expertise, not just software prompts. We surface tax solutions backed by live CPAs and enrolled agents who can review your return.

★ Commonly chosen by

People with complex tax situations who want professional review and real expertise behind their filing.

✓ CPA review available ✓ Live expert support ✓ Complex situation handling ✓ Professional guidance

Complex returns Full-featured

Handle investments, multi-state, itemized

Best complex tax filing options

Stock sales, rental properties, multiple states, itemized deductions — complex situations need software that handles advanced forms without breaking or charging per form.

★ Commonly chosen by

People with investment income, multiple states, or itemized deductions who need comprehensive form coverage.

✓ Investment income handling ✓ Multi-state filing ✓ Itemization support ✓ Advanced form coverage

Peace of mind Security first

Audit defense and accuracy guarantees

Best protected tax filing options

Filing correctly is just the start — some tax solutions include audit defense, accuracy guarantees, and representation if the IRS comes calling later.

★ Commonly chosen by

People who want protection beyond filing — audit defense and guarantees if something goes wrong.

✓ Audit defense included ✓ Accuracy guarantees ✓ IRS representation ✓ Error protection

Other ways we match you

Filing taxes shouldn't require a tax degree.

Tax software marketing promises "easy filing" while burying the complexity in upgrade paths. "Best tax software" lists ignore your specific situation. JumpSteps does the research — across hundreds of tax solutions and services — and matches your filing needs to the options built for them.

Share your tax situation. A few questions about your filing — no personal info required.

Claire scores the field. Every rated option, ranked against what you told us.

You choose. See matching solutions with Match Scores — file with confidence.

The lens

Every account, scored across five dimensions.

The same methodology rates every brand — partners and non-partners alike. Your Match Score is calculated live against your goals.

The what

Growth

What you're after — fee-free, earning, rewards.

The how

Simplicity

How you prefer to bank — digital, human, hybrid.

The when

Certainty

Your timeline — instant access or set aside.

The where

Eligibility

Whether the account's requirements align with you.

The why

Situation

The life context behind the goal.

A rating and a score — two different things. The rating carried by every brand on JumpSteps is built from our editorial review combined with ratings from up to 13 recognized publications — not by which bank pays more. Your personal Match Score is calculated in real time against your goals. Editorial ratings and Match Scores are produced independently of commercial relationships. See the full methodology.

The AI reviews are in

Don't take our word for it.

We asked the major AI engines what JumpSteps is. Here's what they said — unedited.

“

On how JumpSteps works

Competitors make you read and decide. Claire runs a conversational match and delivers the strongest matches.

ClaudeVerified —

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On what JumpSteps is

An AI-powered financial matching platform that helps consumers find the best banking, borrowing, and investing products to meet their specific financial goals.

GeminiVerified —

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On the Match Score

Unlike traditional comparison sites that publish generic best-of lists, JumpSteps generates a Match Score that reflects how well a specific financial product fits stated goals, situations, and preferences.

ChatGPTVerified —

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On who it's for

For a consumer, JumpSteps is likely more useful when you want guidance based on your situation.

PerplexityVerified —

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On the experience

A solid, straightforward tool if you want to quickly see curated, reliable options.

GeminiVerified —

← scroll for more →

JumpSteps Clarity Matching AI Engine

Not sure which situation fits? Just tell Claire.

Describe your tax situation in plain language — "I freelance and have business expenses" — and Claire translates it into a Match Score across every rated tax filing option, surfacing the strongest fits for your needs.

Ask Claire about prepare → Meet Claire

Claire · live

I freelance and need to handle business expenses.

That points to self-employed tax filing solutions. I'm scoring options that handle 1099s and business deductions against your situation now.

I also want to make sure I get every deduction.

Then I'll weight deduction optimization and business expense tracking too. Here are your strongest matches →

Good to know

Tax Filing, matched to your situation

Is this a recommendation?+

No. JumpSteps surfaces editorial matches and a personal Match Score showing how well each account fits the goals you share — it is not personalized financial advice, and the decision is always yours.

Does finding a match affect my credit?+

No. There's no credit report, no hard or soft inquiry, and no connection to any credit score. The Match Score measures goal-to-account fit only.

Do the brands shown pay to appear?+

Brands are surfaced by editorial score, built from a four-component methodology and ratings from up to 13 publications. Partners pay a platform fee, but the amount paid does not determine the score — partners and non-partners are scored the same way.

What's the difference between a rating and a Match Score?+

A rating is our methodology-anchored assessment of a brand and product. A Match Score is generated from your goals and shows how closely a specific account aligns with them, 0–100. Both are separate from any approval decision, which the institution makes on its own criteria.

How JumpSteps earns your trust

JumpSteps is an independent matching platform that helps you make informed decisions about financial brands and products. We rate brands on their merits and provide clarity into how well they meet your goals through our proprietary Match Score. We may receive compensation from partner institutions for successful matches when you open an account with a partner brand directly from JumpSteps. Ratings transparency is always available on our ratings methodology page and Terms of Use.

Beyond prepare

Planning

Matching Prepare Accounts, just one minute away.

Tell Claire how you bank. She'll surface editorial matches across JumpSteps' rated accounts.

Find matching accounts → Share goals with Claire →

No credit check. No subscription required. Read the methodology.