How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- TurboTax remains the most polished guided experience, but its free tier only covers simple returns.
- H&R Block matches TurboTax on features with more forms in its free tier and thousands of offices for in-person help.
- FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes are the cheapest legitimate ways to file: free federal in both, free state with Cash App.
- TaxSlayer and TaxAct sit in the value middle, with TaxSlayer's Classic plan at $44.99 and TaxAct's expert help add-on at $45.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TurboTax | Guided filing for every situation | See website | Yes (Free Edition) |
 H&R Block | Free tier plus in-person offices | See website | Yes (Free Online) |
 TaxAct | Transparent pricing with expert help options | $0 (DIY federal) | Yes |
 TaxSlayer | Budget-friendly paid plans | $0 (Simply Free) | Yes |
 FreeTaxUSA | Free federal filing for any complexity | $0 federal, $15.99 state | Yes |
 Cash App Taxes | Completely free federal and state filing | $0 | Yes |
 Jackson Hewitt | In-person help inside Walmart stores | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best income tax filing software
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes (Free Edition)
TurboTax is the default choice for a reason. The guided interview walks you through W-2s, 1099s, investments, rental property, self-employment and every credit most people qualify for, importing W-2s by photo and prior-year data automatically. If you get stuck, you can upgrade to Expert Assist for on-demand help from a tax professional or hand the whole return to an expert with Full Service. Refund features include e-filing with direct deposit, a Refund Advance loan on qualifying refunds, and early refund access through a Credit Karma Money account.
The pricing is the catch. The Free Edition covers only simple Form 1040 returns, and most filers with investments, rental income or self-employment land on Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed tiers that cost well over $100 with state. TurboTax is worth it when your return is complex enough that you want the hand-holding, but it is the wrong pick if a free option covers your situation.
What we like- Best-in-class interview flow and document import
- Expert help and full-service options built in
- Refund Advance and early-refund features
Watch out for- Free Edition limited to simple returns
- Paid tiers are the priciest on this list
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes (Free Online)
H&R Block is the strongest all-rounder. Its online product mirrors TurboTax's guided interview, W-2 photo import and device-hopping, but the company notes on its own site that H&R Block Free Online accepts more forms for free than the TurboTax Free Edition. Every DIY product includes free chat with a tax expert, and if you want a human to review or fully prepare your return, you can visit one of more than 5,100 offices, including 2,600 inside Walmart stores. Maximum refund and 100% accuracy guarantees back the paid products.
Pricing sits slightly below TurboTax for comparable tiers, and the hybrid model is the real differentiator: start online, finish in an office if your situation gets complicated. The flow does push add-ons and upgrades, so watch the checkout screen. For filers who want a free start with an in-person safety net, H&R Block is hard to beat.
What we like- Free Online covers more forms than TurboTax Free Edition
- 5,100+ offices for in-person help
- Free expert chat in DIY products
Watch out for- Upsells appear throughout the flow
- State filing costs extra on paid tiers
#3
TaxAct
Best for: Transparent pricing with expert help options
Visit taxact.com
Starting price$0 (DIY federal)
Free planYes
TaxAct competes by being straightforward about money. DIY pricing starts at $0 for qualifying federal filers, live expert help adds just $45, and full-service preparation from a tax pro starts at $99. The homepage even publishes a comparison table against TurboTax and H&R Block using pricing as of April 1, 2026, which tells you how central price is to its pitch. A $100K accuracy guarantee covers IRS penalties and interest if TaxAct makes an error, and the product handles C-corps, S-corps, partnerships and self-employed filers fully online.
The free tier is genuinely limited: about 40% of users qualify, since it excludes investment income, rental property, business income and itemized deductions. The interface works but lacks the polish of TurboTax. If you want paid-plan features at a meaningfully lower price and can tolerate a plainer interface, TaxAct delivers.
What we like- DIY federal starts at $0
- Expert help add-on only $45
- $100K accuracy guarantee
Watch out for- Free Edition covers only basic returns
- Interface less polished than the big two
Starting price$0 (Simply Free)
Free planYes
TaxSlayer is the value pick among the paid products. The Simply Free tier handles basic W-2 returns at $0, Classic at $44.99 covers all income types and deductions, Premium at $64.99 adds priority support and Ask a Tax Pro, and Self-Employed at $74.99 includes quarterly estimated payment reminders and a self-employed tax guide. The PrepCheck AI chatbot answers tax questions in natural language as you work through the return. It is an IRS Free File participant, which matters for qualifying low-income filers.
The tradeoff is automation. Lower tiers do not import documents as smoothly as TurboTax or H&R Block, and the interface shows its age. TaxSlayer is best for confident filers who know their numbers and want the cheapest credible paid product, especially freelancers and gig workers who balk at triple-digit prices.
What we like- Classic plan at $44.99 undercuts rivals
- Self-Employed at $74.99
- PrepCheck AI chatbot answers questions in plain language
Watch out for- Lower tiers lack document import automation
- Interface feels dated
Starting price$0 federal, $15.99 state
Free planYes
FreeTaxUSA is the open secret of tax season. Federal filing is $0 for everyone, with no upgrades for complexity: self-employment, rental income, investments, home sales and the earned income credit are all included. State returns cost $15.99 each, and the site publishes its full pricing table: e-file, customer support, printable returns and extensions are all $0, with optional Audit Defense at $19.99 and Pro Support at $64.99. The homepage claims a 4.8 out of 5 customer rating and guarantees accurate calculations.
The site looks like it was designed in 2005, and that scares off first-timers. But the math is compelling: a complex federal return that costs $130+ at TurboTax is free here. If you can tolerate a spartan interface and you do not mind paying $15.99 for state, this is the best value in tax software, full stop.
What we like- Federal free for every tax situation including self-employment
- State only $15.99
- 4.8-star customer rating
Watch out for- Interface is plain
- No free state filing
#6
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Completely free federal and state filing
Visit cash.app
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, is the only product on this list that is completely free for both federal and state with no income restrictions. The official FAQ is explicit: it is free even with 1099 income, self-employment, stock sales and bitcoin. Over 12 million returns have been filed, and the service carries accuracy and maximum refund guarantees. Refunds deposited to Cash App can arrive up to 5 days early.
There are real constraints. You need a Cash App account on your phone even to file from a computer, live expert help is limited compared with paid competitors, and some situations like multi-state filing or certain forms are not supported. For straightforward to moderately complex returns where you are comfortable with self-service help articles, nothing beats the price.
What we like- 100% free federal and state with no income limits
- Covers 1099, investments and crypto
- Over 12 million returns filed
Watch out for- Requires a Cash App account
- Limited expert support
- Some complex situations unsupported
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Jackson Hewitt is the second-largest tax preparation chain in the US and belongs on this list for filers who want a human, not software. More than 5,100 franchise and company-owned locations, many inside Walmart stores, put a tax pro within reach of most Americans. The company advertises a maximum refund guarantee and a lifetime accuracy guarantee, and its homepage shows a 4.8 out of 5 rating from over 465,000 customer reviews. Tax pros handle everything from simple returns to amendments, IRS notices and tax debt resolution.
This is not a DIY software pick. Jackson Hewitt does offer an online product, but the brand's strength is assisted preparation, and pricing is not published online, so you will discuss fees in person. If you distrust software, have a messy tax situation, or simply want someone else to sign the return, the office down the street is the point.
What we like- 5,100+ locations including 2,600 in Walmart
- 4.8-star rating across 465,000+ reviews
- Maximum refund and lifetime accuracy guarantees
Watch out for- Built for in-person service, not DIY software
- Pricing not published online
How we chose
We opened every vendor's homepage and read their current pricing, free tiers and guarantees, using only what each company publishes about itself. Pricing claims were checked against the vendors' own comparison tables and FAQ pages rather than third-party roundups, and we excluded any product whose homepage could not be verified. Public review sources including G2, Capterra and Reddit's tax communities helped confirm which tools filers actually compare. The list balances the two market leaders, value-priced paid options and genuinely free products, with one assisted-preparation chain for filers who do not want software at all. We did not test any product hands-on.
The free-filing question, answered honestly
Every tax software company advertises free filing, and every one of them means something different. TurboTax Free Edition covers only simple Form 1040 returns. H&R Block Free Online covers more forms but still excludes many situations. TaxAct's free tier reaches about 40% of users. TaxSlayer's Simply Free is for basic W-2 returns. FreeTaxUSA's free tier is the exception among the traditional players: every federal situation, free, with state at $15.99. Cash App Taxes goes further with free federal and state for everyone.
The pattern to watch is the upgrade funnel. Start a "free" return, enter a 1099 or investment sale, and most products prompt you to pay. That is not a scam, complex returns cost more to support, but it means you should pick your product based on your actual tax situation, not the headline. Run through this checklist before choosing: W-2 only, take the free tier anywhere. Add a 1099, investments or crypto, and Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA are free or nearly so. Add rental property or a business with inventory, and compare TaxSlayer, TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA on total price including state.
Buying guide: choosing tax software for your situation
Start with complexity. Simple W-2 returns with the standard deduction can be filed free almost everywhere, so pick based on interface preference. The moment you add self-employment income, investments, rental property or itemized deductions, the free tiers thin out and the real comparison begins: add up federal plus state plus any expert-help add-ons, because a $45 federal price with a $50 state fee is not cheaper than a $65 all-in plan.
Consider how much help you want. Confident filers do fine with FreeTaxUSA or Cash App Taxes. Nervous filers benefit from TurboTax's interview flow or H&R Block's free expert chat. Anyone with an IRS notice, back taxes or a genuinely tangled situation should price a pro: H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt offices, or the full-service tiers at TurboTax and TaxAct. Timing matters too. Filing early in the season means shorter support wait times and working refund-advance programs; extension filers should confirm their product supports prior-year returns.
Finally, mind the refund products. Refund Advance loans and early-refund features are loans and timing shifts, not free money: read the eligibility terms on each vendor's site. And never pay to e-file a federal return you could file free. With FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes both free at the federal level, paying triple digits should buy you something real, like expert review or audit defense, not just the privilege of submitting forms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to file taxes online?
Cash App Taxes is completely free for federal and state with no income limits, and FreeTaxUSA is free for federal with state at $15.99. Both handle complex situations like self-employment and investments. If your return is simple, the free tiers at TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer also work.
Is Cash App Taxes really free?
Yes, according to the company's own FAQ. Federal and state filing cost $0 regardless of your tax situation, including 1099 income, self-employment, stock sales and crypto. You do need a Cash App account, and expert support is limited, but there are no hidden fees.
Which tax software is best for self-employed filers?
TaxSlayer's Self-Employed plan at $74.99 is the cheapest dedicated option, with quarterly payment reminders and a self-employed guide. FreeTaxUSA handles Schedule C free at the federal level. TurboTax Self-Employed and H&R Block's equivalent cost more but add stronger guidance and expert help.
Can I file my state return for free?
Cash App Taxes includes free state filing. FreeTaxUSA charges $15.99 per state. The other products charge for state on paid tiers, typically $40 to $65, though some free tiers include one free state return for qualifying simple filers. Always check the total before you start.
What happens if I need to file an extension?
Every product on this list supports IRS Form 4868 extensions, and FreeTaxUSA lists its extension filing at $0. Remember that an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay: estimate and pay what you owe by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
Should I use a tax pro instead of software?
Consider it if you owe back taxes, received an IRS notice, had a major life event like a business sale or inheritance, or simply do not trust yourself with the forms. H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt both offer in-person preparation with guarantees, and the full-service tiers at TurboTax and TaxAct pair you with a dedicated expert.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://turbotax.intuit.com
- https://www.hrblock.com
- https://www.taxact.com
- https://www.taxslayer.com
- https://freetaxusa.com
- https://cash.app/taxes
- https://www.jacksonhewitt.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.