These 3 Tax Software Companies Will Pay You to Refer Your Friends

Many people are thinking about taxes now that it's spring. The federal tax-filing due date is April 15, so there's still time to get your affairs in order. If you plan to use tax software to prepare and file your federal tax return, it's wise to check whether the company has a refer-a-friend program.

You may be eligible to earn a gift card reward if you share your referral link with friends and family and they use the same software to file their tax returns. I'll share a few tax software companies that will pay you to refer your friends. Free rewards can be a win for your wallet.

1. H&R Block

You'll pay anywhere from $0 to $115 to file a federal tax return using H&R Block's online tax software. The tax preparation company offers several filing solutions. Review the details of each offer to ensure you choose one that fits your needs. Not all solutions support every tax situation.

For example, if you have self-employment income, you must use one of the more expensive solutions that support business tax forms. Unless you qualify for free federal tax, you'll pay an additional $45 per state return to prepare and file your state income taxes with H&R Block.

H&R Block has a referral program. Users can earn up to $20 for each new client they refer, for a maximum of $300. Payment is made through gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon and Airbnb or a Mastercard cash card.

2. TaxAct

TaxAct offers tax prep and filing solutions for individuals and businesses. Depending on your income and tax situation, the cost to file an individual federal return ranges from $0 to $99.99. Filing a state tax return costs extra. The company also rewards users who refer others to its online software.

The TaxAct Refer-a-Friend Program provides Amazon gift cards for successful referrals. To be eligible for a reward, the referred individual must use your referral link and discount code and file a paid federal return.

You can refer up to 20 people per tax season for $599 in maximum rewards. The gift card's value varies depending on the offer when the referral is made. Your friends and family can keep more money in their checking accounts using your referral link. They will get a minimum 20% discount on any paid federal TaxAct product.

3. TurboTax

TurboTax is another tax preparation company offering personal and business tax online filing solutions. You can file your taxes online with TurboTax for anywhere from $0 to $119. An additional filing fee applies to state tax returns when using a paid federal tax-filing product.

The TurboTax Referral Program rewards users who make a successful referral with a $25 e-gift card. TurboTax's terms and conditions don't outline the available gift card options. A successful referral is someone who purchases an eligible TurboTax Online or TurboTax Live product.

You can earn up to $500 in referral rewards. When your friends and family use your referral link, they get a 20% discount on their filing fees. After someone uses your referral link and files their taxes, you'll receive an email within 45 days to claim your e-gift card reward.

Note: A Federal Trade Center (FTC) investigation found TurboTax to have engaged in deceptive advertising, marketing its tax solutions as free despite many consumers not being eligible. If you're considering using TurboTax, review the filing fees carefully to ensure you know what to expect before you file your return.

Do this before starting your federal tax return

Compare online tax-filing solutions before starting your return. Make sure you understand which tax forms are supported for each solution and the fees you will pay to file your federal tax return. Want to learn more? Check out our list of the best tax software.