How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- This is not tax advice. Tax rules depend on your income, state, and situation, so check the IRS site or a tax professional for questions about your own return.
- Cash App Taxes is the only fully free option here, with $0 federal and state filing for every tax situation.
- FreeTaxUSA is the best value paid option, with free federal filing for all situations and $15.99 per state.
- TurboTax suits filers who want the most guidance and will pay for it, while H&R Block suits filers who want in-person backup.
- IRS Free File is free for guided filing at $95,000 AGI or less, but it closed for the season and reopens in January 2027.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TurboTax | Maximum guidance and imports | $0 federal (simple returns) | Yes |
 H&R Block | Online filing with in-person backup | $0 (simple returns) | Yes |
 FreeTaxUSA | Cheapest accurate federal filing | $0 federal | Yes |
 TaxSlayer | Value with expert support | $44.99 federal | Yes |
 TaxAct | Budget guided filing | $0 federal (Free Edition) | Yes |
 Cash App Taxes | Fully free federal and state filing | $0 | Yes |
 Jackson Hewitt | Flat-rate online filing | $25 flat | No |
 IRS Free File | Official free filing program | $0 | Yes |
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The best tax preparation software
Starting price$0 federal (simple returns)
Free planYes
TurboTax is the most polished tax software here, and its price reflects that. The interview asks simple questions and fills in the forms, while W-2 photo capture and brokerage imports from major firms cut manual entry. Deluxe, at $79 federal plus $64 per state, covers homeowners and deductions, while Premium, at $139 federal plus $64 per state, covers investments, rentals, and self-employment in one tier.
Free Edition covers simple Form 1040 returns at $0 federal and $0 state, but it excludes many situations, so check eligibility before starting. Expert Assist adds a tax expert review, and Full Service hands the whole return to an expert. If you want the least friction and do not mind paying, TurboTax is the easiest return to finish.
What we like- Smoothest guided interview
- Deepest brokerage and W-2 imports
- Expert help and full-service upgrades
Watch out for- Most expensive at paid tiers
- State filing adds $64 per state
- Upsells inside the flow
#2H&R Block
Best for: Online filing with in-person backup4.0/5 on
G2 (21 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hrblock.com
Starting price$0 (simple returns)
Free planYes
H&R Block pairs online filing with thousands of offices, which is its main advantage over pure online tools. File online, then walk into an office if a question gets complicated, or upgrade to Tax Pro Review for an expert check before filing. Free Online covers simple returns at $0 federal and $0 state, and H&R Block says it accepts more forms for free than TurboTax Free Edition.
Paid online tiers start with Deluxe at $65 federal, with Premium and Self-Employed above it. That middle pricing makes H&R Block a good compromise: cheaper than TurboTax at most tiers, with human backup that budget tools cannot offer. If you like knowing an office exists, H&R Block is the pick.
What we like- Free Online covers more forms than TurboTax Free
- In-person offices as backup
- Tax Pro Review option
Watch out for- Paid tiers still cost more than budget options
- State fees add up
- In-person help costs extra
Starting price$0 federal
Free planYes
FreeTaxUSA is the best value in tax software, full stop. Federal filing is $0 for every tax situation, including self-employment, rentals, investments, and crypto, with no paid tier needed to open up forms. State returns cost $15.99 each, and optional Deluxe support costs $7.99 while Pro Support with a final review costs $64.99.
The tradeoff is guidance. FreeTaxUSA asks clear questions and checks accuracy in real time, but it does not hold your hand the way TurboTax does. Confident filers who know their return will save $60 or more versus the big brands. If price matters and you are comfortable with forms, start here.
What we like- Federal filing free for every situation
- Only $15.99 per state
- No upgrades needed for complex federal returns
Watch out for- Less hand-holding than TurboTax
- Support costs extra for Pro
- Interface is plainer
Starting price$44.99 federal
Free planYes
TaxSlayer sits between FreeTaxUSA and the big brands on price and polish. Simply Free covers simple returns at $0 federal with one free state, while Classic, at $44.99 federal plus $47.99 per state, covers all major forms, itemized deductions, rentals, stocks, and crypto. Premium and Self-Employed tiers add priority support, tax pro access, and a self-employed guide.
Prior-year return upload and W-2 and 1099 imports speed up the process, and support from real people is available when you get stuck. If FreeTaxUSA feels too bare and TurboTax feels too expensive, TaxSlayer is the middle ground.
What we like- Classic covers all major forms at $44.99
- Simply Free includes one free state
- Ask a Tax Pro on higher tiers
Watch out for- State returns cost $47.99 each
- Simply Free has narrow eligibility
- Interface is less polished than TurboTax
Starting price$0 federal (Free Edition)
Free planYes
TaxAct is a mainstream guided product at budget prices. Free Edition covers W-2 income, unemployment, retirement income, credits, and dependents at $0 federal, as long as you file Form 1040 with no added schedules. About 40 percent of users qualify, and the rest move to paid tiers, with Deluxe from $59.99 federal and expert help available as an add-on.
The interface is straightforward and mobile-friendly, with photo capture for documents and progress tracking. If your return is simple and you qualify for Free Edition, TaxAct is a solid free pick. If your return is complex, compare its paid tiers against FreeTaxUSA before paying.
What we like- Free Edition for simple 1040-only returns
- Expert help add-on from $45
- Pro filing from $99
Watch out for- Free Edition covers about 40 percent of users
- Paid tiers and state fees add up
- Guidance is thinner than TurboTax
#6
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Fully free federal and state filing
Visit cash.app
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Cash App Taxes is the only service here that is free for everyone, with no asterisks. Federal and state filing cost $0 for every tax situation, including self-employment, investments, rentals, and crypto, with no paid tiers and no upsells. Over 12 million returns have been filed through it, and it carries accurate calculations and maximum refund guarantees.
The catch is small: you need a Cash App account to use it, and there is no expert review or full-service option. For confident filers, that is no catch at all. If your return is straightforward to moderately complex and you want to pay nothing, Cash App Taxes is the obvious pick.
What we like- 100 percent free federal and state, all situations
- No paid tiers or upsells
- Accurate calculations guarantee
Watch out for- Requires a Cash App account
- No expert review option
- Support is more limited than paid tools
Starting price$25 flat
Free planNo
Jackson Hewitt is best known for offices inside Walmart stores, but its online product deserves attention for one reason: a flat $25 price for federal plus state, covering all tax situations. That flat rate makes it the cheapest paid option for multi-state filers and complex returns that would cost far more at TurboTax or H&R Block.
In-person preparation costs more and varies by location, but it suits filers who want a pro to handle everything. The online experience is less guided than TurboTax, and there is no free tier. If you file in multiple states or have a complex return and want a low flat price, Jackson Hewitt Online is worth a look.
What we like- Flat $25 online price for all situations
- In-person Tax Pros at thousands of locations
- Maximum refund guarantee
Watch out for- No free plan
- In-person pricing varies by location
- Online product is less guided than TurboTax
#8
IRS Free File
Best for: Official free filing program
Visit irs.gov
Starting price$0
Free planYes
IRS Free File is the official free route, run as a partnership between the IRS and tax software companies. Guided tax software is free for filers with $95,000 or less in adjusted gross income, with partner companies offering free federal preparation and sometimes a free state return. Rules bar upselling and deceptive practices inside the program.
Free File Fillable Forms, available at any income level, lets you enter data directly into online forms with limited calculations and no state filing. Note that the program has closed for the current season and reopens in January 2027, so plan around that window. Always start at IRS.gov/freefile, since going directly to a partner site does not give you the Free File terms.
What we like- Free guided software from IRS partners
- No upsells or hidden fees allowed
- Fillable Forms for any income level
Watch out for- Guided option limited to $95,000 AGI or less
- Program is seasonal and closed until January 2027
- Each partner sets its own eligibility rules
How we chose
We compared software on price for a typical return, free-tier eligibility, form coverage, guidance quality, and support options. Pricing details were checked against vendor pricing pages and current October 2026 comparison sources, and features were checked against vendor documentation. We favored tools that exist today, file electronically to the IRS, and serve a distinct filer need rather than duplicating the same tier.
We also weighed seasonal pricing honestly. TurboTax and H&R Block prices rise as the April deadline nears, so early-season prices are often lower than peak prices. Always check the live price at checkout, since the figures here reflect list prices at the time of writing.
How to pick tax software
Start with your return, not the brand
List your income sources first: W-2 only, investments, rentals, or self-employment. Simple W-2 returns file free with Cash App Taxes, FreeTaxUSA, or IRS Free File. Complex returns need a tier that covers every schedule you use, so check form coverage before price.
Compare the total, not the headline price
Add federal plus state fees, since a cheap federal tier with a $64 state fee can cost more than a flat-rate option. Jackson Hewitt Online at $25 flat and Cash App Taxes at $0 beat headline-cheap tiers once state fees are included.
File early and keep your documents
File as soon as the IRS starts accepting returns in late January. Early filing gets refunds faster and leaves time to fix rejections. Gather W-2s, 1099s, and deduction records before starting, and save a copy of the filed return.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tax software for most people?
FreeTaxUSA is the best value for most people, with free federal filing for every situation and $15.99 per state. Cash App Taxes is better if you want state filing free too. TurboTax suits people who want maximum guidance and do not mind paying for it.
Can I really file taxes for free?
Yes. Cash App Taxes files federal and state returns free for everyone. FreeTaxUSA files federal returns free for everyone, with state returns at $15.99. IRS Free File is free for guided filing at $95,000 AGI or less when the program is open.
Which tax software is best for self-employed filers?
Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA both handle Schedule C free at the federal level. TurboTax Premium and TaxSlayer Self-Employed add more guidance and support for self-employed filers, at higher prices. Compare form coverage and support before choosing.
Is TurboTax worth the price?
TurboTax is worth it if you want the smoothest interview, the deepest imports, and expert help on demand. For simple returns, free options do the same math for $0. For complex returns with many forms, the guidance can save time and catch deductions.
When is the tax filing deadline?
The federal deadline is typically April 15, moving to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday. You can request an extension to October 15 for filing, but not for paying any balance due.
What if I make a mistake on my return?
Most software includes accuracy guarantees covering penalties and interest from calculation errors. If you catch a mistake after filing, you can file an amended return, and IRS Free File partners support amendments through the same software used originally.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://turbotax.intuit.com
- https://www.hrblock.com
- https://www.freetaxusa.com
- https://www.taxslayer.com
- https://www.taxact.com
- https://cash.app/taxes
- https://www.jacksonhewitt.com
- https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
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 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.