Redesigning the TaxBuddy experience wasn’t just about aesthetics - it was about reducing friction and building confidence for first-time tax filers. Here's how the redesign made a difference:

• Simplified Filing Flow → Reduced Drop-offs
  
  

  By rethinking the onboarding and step-by-step journey, we created a more linear and guided experience. Users no longer felt overwhelmed by complex forms, and early testing showed a notable drop in user drop-offs during mid-way steps.
  
  
  

• Clearer Language & Visual Hierarchy → Increased User Confidence
  
  

  We replaced jargon-heavy copy with everyday language, and redesigned content blocks to reduce cognitive load. This made the platform more approachable, especially for users filing taxes on their own for the first time.
  
  
  

• Mobile-first Approach → Better Accessibility
  
  

  Recognizing that many users preferred to file on their phones, I focused on a mobile-first design system. The UI was optimized for smaller screens, leading to smoother interactions and fewer support queries from mobile users.
  
  
  

• Collaborative Workflows → Smoother Dev Handoff
  
  

  Working closely with devs, I ensured my designs were implementation-friendly and supported by clear documentation. This improved the design-dev handoff and accelerated the product team’s sprint cycles.

  Together, these changes helped position TaxBuddy as a friendlier, more intuitive option in a category often associated with stress and confusion.