TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win: Which Platform is Better for ITR Filing?

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) can often feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first time. With so many options available, choosing the right platform can seem like a big decision. The good news is, with the right tools, it doesn't have to be stressful. Platforms like TaxBuddy, ClearTax, and Tax2Win are designed to simplify the process and offer a range of services that cater to different needs, whether you're filing a straightforward return or dealing with something more complex. Let us compare these three popular platforms, looking at their pricing, features, and user experience, so you can find the one that best fits your tax filing needs. Whether you're a first-time filer or someone managing more intricate returns, this comparison helps you make the right choice with ease.

---

Table of Contents

• TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win: Pricing and Plans

• Features and Usability

• Handling Complex ITRs and Bank Account Related Queries

• User Experience and Support

• TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win: Summary of Key Features

• Conclusion: Which Platform is Better for ITR Filing?

• FAQs

---

TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win: Pricing and Plans

Pricing is a pivotal factor when deciding on the best platform for ITR filing. Let's break down the pricing structures of TaxBuddy, ClearTax, and Tax2Win (with a focus on its expert-assisted plans) to see which platform provides the best value for different income types and filing complexities.

Here’s a consolidated and comparative table summarizing the pricing plans for TaxBuddy, ClearTax, and Tax2Win:

Income Type / Plan	TaxBuddy (₹/year)	ClearTax (₹/year)	Tax2Win (₹/year, eCA Assisted)
Salary + 1 House Property (Self-filing)	₹699	₹199	₹1,274 (Standard)
Salary + Multiple House Properties	₹799	₹1,999	₹1,699 (Multiple Form 16)
Business / Professional Income	₹1,599	-	₹2,655 (Business Income)
Capital Gains (Indian)	₹1,999	₹3,499	₹4,249 (Capital Gain)
Crypto Income	₹2,999	₹6,499	Not Supported
NRI / Foreign Income	₹3,799	₹6,499	₹7,968 (NRI), ₹10,624 (Foreign)

Key Points

1. TaxBuddy offers straightforward pricing for both self-filing and expert-assisted filing options, with competitive rates, especially for complex filings like capital gains and crypto income.

   
   

2. ClearTax provides a broad range of plans, with lower starting prices but higher rates for advanced filings such as crypto and NRI income.

   
   

3. Tax2Win’s expert-assisted plans are priced higher, especially for complex income types like capital gains, NRI, and foreign income filings, but offer comprehensive support for a wide variety of users.

Features and Usability

Now, let’s take a deep dive into the key features and usability of each platform to determine how well they meet users' needs for ITR filing.

TaxBuddy

TaxBuddy is a feature-rich platform designed for a seamless user experience:

• Auto-fill from Form 16: TaxBuddy uses AI-powered automation to accurately fill in details from Form 16 and other tax documents, reducing the chance of manual errors.

  
  

• Stock Broker Integration: It integrates with multiple stock brokers, automatically importing transaction details to simplify capital gains tax filing.

  
  

• Post-filing Assistance: TaxBuddy stands out with its post-filing support, offering expert assistance for handling income tax notices and discrepancies under Section 143(1).

  
  

• Tax Planning Advice: Personalized, AI-driven tax planning and saving advice is available to help you optimize your tax liabilities.

  
  

• Mobile App: TaxBuddy’s highly-rated mobile app provides flexibility, allowing users to file taxes, track refunds, and access support from anywhere.

ClearTax

ClearTax also offers a wide range of features, but it lacks the AI-powered automation that makes TaxBuddy stand out:

1. Auto-fill from Form 16: ClearTax allows auto-filling from Form 16, but users need to manually review and adjust data, especially for more complex filings.

   
   

2. Stock Broker Integration: ClearTax supports integration with over 25 stock brokers, enabling easy import of capital gains data for filing.

   
   

3. Post-filing Assistance: Available for premium plans, ClearTax offers support for handling income tax notices but doesn’t include it in its basic plans.

   
   

4. Tax Planning: Basic tax planning services are offered, but the level of personalization and advice is not as in-depth as TaxBuddy’s AI-powered system.

   
   

5. Mobile App: ClearTax’s mobile app is functional but not as user-friendly or feature-rich as TaxBuddy’s.

Tax2Win

Tax2Win’s features are simpler, with a focus on salaried individuals:

1. Auto-fill from Form 16: Tax2Win provides auto-filling from Form 16 but lacks the advanced automation available on TaxBuddy.

   
   

2. No Broker Integration: Tax2Win does not integrate with stock brokers, which can be inconvenient for investors needing to file capital gains.

   
   

3. Post-filing Assistance: Tax2Win’s post-filing assistance is limited compared to TaxBuddy and ClearTax, focusing mainly on salaried taxpayers.

   
   

4. Tax Planning: Basic tax planning features are included but are not as comprehensive as the ones offered by TaxBuddy.

   
   

5. Mobile App: Tax2Win’s mobile app is functional but not as sophisticated as TaxBuddy’s.

Handling Complex ITRs and Bank Account Related Queries

Handling complex ITR filings requires platforms with robust features for income sources like capital gains, crypto, foreign income, and bank account details.

TaxBuddy

TaxBuddy excels with its ability to handle complex filings:

1. Capital Gains: TaxBuddy offers advanced tools for capital gains filing, including automatic import of transaction data from stock brokers.

   
   

2. Crypto Income: It provides dedicated plans for crypto income, including expert assistance to navigate the complex taxation rules.

   
   

3. Foreign Income: TaxBuddy supports both NRI and foreign income filings, ensuring all relevant forms are completed accurately, including Form 67 for foreign tax credit.

   
   

4. Bank Account Details: TaxBuddy uses AI to automatically fill in bank account details from Form 16 and other financial documents, streamlining the process.

ClearTax

ClearTax also supports complex filings, but it can be expensive:

1. Capital Gains: ClearTax supports capital gains filings with broker integrations but lacks the automation seen on TaxBuddy.

   
   

2. Crypto Income: ClearTax supports crypto income filing but at a much higher cost compared to TaxBuddy.

   
   

3. Foreign Income: Foreign income is supported, but users must manually enter foreign details and Form 67 if needed.

   
   

4. Bank Account Details: ClearTax auto-fills bank account details, but users must ensure that the information matches their tax documents.

Tax2Win

Tax2Win struggles with complex filings:

1. Capital Gains: Tax2Win offers basic capital gains filing but lacks advanced features like stock broker integration.

   
   

2. Crypto Income: Not supported by Tax2Win.

   
   

3. Foreign Income: Foreign income is not supported by Tax2Win.

   
   

4. Bank Account Details: Users must manually input bank account details, which can be cumbersome for those with multiple accounts.

User Experience and Support

The user experience plays a crucial role in making tax filing simple and stress-free. Let's examine the user interfaces, customer support, and overall satisfaction levels.

TaxBuddy

TaxBuddy is widely appreciated for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive support:

1. Interface: Simple, intuitive, and powered by AI, it offers seamless navigation from tax filing to post-filing support.

   
   

2. Support: Year-round customer support, expert assistance, and post-filing notice management are available.

   
   

3. Satisfaction: TaxBuddy users consistently report high satisfaction due to its ease of use, transparent pricing, and comprehensive services.

ClearTax

ClearTax offers a clean interface but can be expensive for more complex tax needs:

1. Interface: Easy to use, with a step-by-step filing process that’s suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

   
   

2. Support: ClearTax provides chat support and educational resources, but advanced assistance is available only in higher-priced plans.

   
   

3. Satisfaction: ClearTax is generally well-rated but receives mixed reviews for its high cost in complex tax situations.

Tax2Win

Tax2Win offers a simple interface, but its support options are more limited:

1. Interface: Straightforward and simple, designed mainly for salaried individuals.

   
   

2. Support: Limited support options for basic tax filing; expert assistance is available at an additional cost.

   
   

3. Satisfaction: Tax2Win is cost-effective for simple filings but lacks the comprehensive support available on TaxBuddy and ClearTax.

TaxBuddy vs ClearTax vs Tax2Win: Summary of Key Features

Here’s a feature-wise comparison table of TaxBuddy, ClearTax, and Tax2Win based on the detailed analysis:

Feature	TaxBuddy	ClearTax	Tax2Win
Google Reviews	16,000+ reviews	1,955 reviews	2,161 reviews
Google Ratings	⭐ 4.9 / 5	⭐ 4.7 / 5	⭐ 4.7 / 5
App Installs (Play Store)	10 Lakh+	5 Lakh+	No Mobile App
Free Tax Notice Assistance	✅ Post-filing notice assistance included	❌ Not included	❌ Not included
ITR Filing & Tax Planning	✅ Self-filing & End-to-end expert assistance available	✅ Self-guided or paid expert help	✅ Self-filing & Expert assistance available (eCA Assisted plans)
Notice Management	✅ Included	❌ Limited	❌ Limited
GST & TDS Filing	✅ Available	✅ Available	✅ Only TDS Filing
Accounting & Bookkeeping	✅ Optional add-on	❌ Not available	❌ Not available
Tax Calculators	✅ Yes (Integrated with ITR filing)	✅ Yes	❌ Not available
HUF Filing Support	✅ Available	❌ Not available	❌ Not available
Average Response Time	⏱️ ~30 minutes	⏱️ ~1 hour	Not Specified

Points to Note:

• TaxBuddy stands out for its AI-powered automation, comprehensive tax planning, post-filing support, and seamless mobile app experience. It offers a wide range of services, including notice management, GST & TDS filing, and accounting & bookkeeping add-ons.

  
  

• ClearTax offers self-guided filing and expert assistance but can become expensive for complex filings. It also provides good support for capital gains and includes a well-rated mobile app, though it lacks some of the automation and advanced features found in TaxBuddy.

  
  

• Tax2Win offers affordable plans, particularly for salaried individuals, but is limited when it comes to more complex filings like capital gains, crypto, and foreign income. Its eCA Assisted plans provide expert support for a variety of tax needs but lack certain premium features available on the other two platforms.

Conclusion: Which Platform is Better for ITR Filing?

Based on the comparison, TaxBuddy stands out as the best platform for users with complex tax situations. Its pricing is competitive, especially for complicated filings like capital gains, crypto income, and foreign income. The AI-powered automation, expert assistance, and post-filing services make it a comprehensive solution for users who want a hassle-free experience.

For anyone looking for assistance in tax filing, it is highly recommended to download the TaxBuddy mobile app for a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.

FAQs

Q1: Does TaxBuddy offer both self-filing and expert-assisted plans for ITR filing, or only expert-assisted options?

Yes, TaxBuddy provides both self-filing and expert-assisted filing options. This flexibility allows users to choose the level of support they need. For individuals who prefer to file their returns independently, the self-filing option is available. On the other hand, those with more complex tax situations or who simply prefer expert assistance can opt for the expert-assisted filing plan, where professional Chartered Accountants assist throughout the filing process.

Q2: Which is the best site to file ITR?

TaxBuddy stands out as the best platform for filing ITR, especially for complex tax scenarios like capital gains, foreign income, and crypto. ClearTax and Tax2Win are also popular options, but TaxBuddy offers AI-driven automation, comprehensive tax planning, and post-filing support, making it the preferred choice for users who need a seamless, hassle-free filing experience. Additionally, TaxBuddy’s expert assistance and user-friendly interface add to its appeal.

Q3: Where to file an income tax return?

Income tax returns can be filed on platforms like TaxBuddy, ClearTax, and Tax2Win. All these platforms offer online filing services, but TaxBuddy is particularly noted for its seamless integration, expert assistance, and support for complex tax filings such as capital gains, crypto income, and foreign income. TaxBuddy’s easy-to-use interface and AI automation make it a top choice for filing ITR.

Q4: How does TaxBuddy support crypto income tax filing?

TaxBuddy offers specialized plans for filing crypto income tax. Crypto income can be complicated to report due to the volatile nature of crypto assets and the specific tax laws surrounding them. TaxBuddy provides expert assistance for crypto-related filings, ensuring that users comply with the latest tax regulations. It offers competitive pricing for such complex tax situations and helps with accurate reporting to avoid errors.

Q5: Can I use TaxBuddy to file taxes for multiple bank accounts?

Yes, TaxBuddy’s AI-powered platform supports the filing of taxes with multiple bank accounts. The platform automatically populates bank account details from Form 16 and other financial documents, minimizing the chances of human error. This feature is especially useful for individuals with various sources of income or those who have multiple accounts to report in their ITR.

Q6: Is there post-filing support available on TaxBuddy?

Yes, TaxBuddy offers free post-filing notice management and expert assistance. After filing your ITR, if you receive any income tax notices or if there are discrepancies in your filed return, TaxBuddy’s expert team will assist you in resolving the issue promptly. This support is crucial for those who need guidance after the filing process to ensure full compliance and avoid penalties.

Q7: Does ClearTax support filing for complex income types?

ClearTax does support filing for complex income types such as capital gains and crypto, but it can be more expensive compared to TaxBuddy for these complex filings. While ClearTax provides comprehensive tax filing options, the pricing can escalate for users with intricate tax situations. TaxBuddy, in comparison, offers more cost-effective plans for such filings, making it a better choice for users seeking a balance between price and service quality.

Q8: Can Tax2Win help with foreign income tax filing?

No, Tax2Win does not support foreign income tax filing. This limitation makes it less suitable for NRIs or individuals with foreign income sources. If you need to file taxes related to foreign income, platforms like TaxBuddy or ClearTax would be better choices. TaxBuddy, in particular, provides dedicated support for NRI and foreign income filing, ensuring comprehensive tax reporting and compliance with international tax laws.

Q9: Is TaxBuddy’s mobile app highly rated?

Yes, TaxBuddy’s mobile app is highly rated, with a 4.9-star rating on the Google Play Store. The app allows users to file their taxes on-the-go, track refunds, and get expert guidance all from their mobile devices. It’s designed to be user-friendly, offering seamless navigation for filing ITR, making it easy for individuals to complete their tax filing anytime, anywhere.

Q10: Can TaxBuddy integrate with stock brokers for tax filing?

Yes, TaxBuddy integrates with multiple stock brokers, which simplifies the process of filing capital gains tax. The integration allows TaxBuddy users to automatically import transaction data from stock broker accounts, ensuring accurate and hassle-free reporting of capital gains. This feature is particularly useful for investors who need to file taxes related to stock market transactions.

Q11: How much does TaxBuddy charge for expert-assisted tax filing?

TaxBuddy charges ₹999 for expert-assisted filing of salary + 1 house property (HP) for individuals with simpler tax situations. For more complex filings like business income, capital gains, or crypto income, pricing varies, but TaxBuddy provides competitive pricing for these complex scenarios, ensuring that users get good value for the level of expert assistance provided.

Q12: Which platform is the most cost-effective for simple salaried taxpayers?

Both TaxBuddy and ClearTax are cost-effective for salaried taxpayers. However, TaxBuddy offers lower pricing for self-filing and expert-assisted filing, especially for those with simpler tax profiles. TaxBuddy’s AI-powered automation further enhances the filing process, making it a great value for salaried employees looking for an efficient and affordable tax filing solution.