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
- The same tax return costs $0 to $200+ depending on the tool: Cash App Taxes ($0 federal + state) and FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal + $15.99 state) versus TurboTax Deluxe ($79 + $64 state).
- Free tiers are real but narrow: most cover simple W-2 returns only, and investments, rentals or self-employment push you to paid tiers everywhere except Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA.
- Prices move through the season: fall prices are not April prices, so verify the live figure before filing and never budget from a review's screenshot.
- Multi-state filers should price per state: Jackson Hewitt Online ($25 flat, federal + state) and 1040.com ($34.99 flat) beat per-state fees fast.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TurboTax | Filers who want maximum hand-holding and will pay for it | Free Edition $0 (simple returns); Deluxe $79 federal + $64 state; Premium $139 federal + $64 state (seasonal pricing, verify live) | Yes (Free Edition: $0 federal + $0 state for simple Form 1040 returns) |
 H&R Block | Filers who want a credible free tier with in-person backup | Free Online $0; Deluxe $65; Premium $105; Self-Employed $130 (Oct 2026 online tiers; seasonal repricing applies) | Yes (Free Online: $0 federal + $0 state for simple returns) |
 TaxAct | Budget-conscious filers who still want a mainstream guided product | Free $0; Deluxe $59.99 federal; Premier $99.99 federal (+ $64.99 per state); Self-Employed $109.99 federal | Yes (Free tier: $0 for W-2 employees, students, Child Tax Credit; limits apply) |
 FreeTaxUSA | Confident DIY filers who want the cheapest accurate return | $0 federal (all returns, all forms); $15.99 per state; Deluxe upgrade $7.99 federal | Yes (federal filing free for every tax situation, including self-employment, rentals and investments) |
 TaxSlayer | Value shoppers with moderately complex returns | Simply Free $0 (narrow eligibility); Classic $44.99 federal; Self-Employed $74.99 federal; State $47.99 | Yes (Simply Free: $0 federal with strict simple-situation rules; includes one free state at certain times of season) |
 Cash App Taxes | Cost-minimalists with straightforward-to-moderate returns | $0 (100% free federal and state filing, all forms; no paid tiers) | Yes (fully free; no upsells) |
 Jackson Hewitt Online | Multi-state filers and complex returns wanting the lowest flat price | $25 flat (federal + state included, all tax situations) | No free plan (flat $25 for everyone) |
 eFile.com | Bargain hunters optimizing purely on price | Basic $0 federal; Deluxe Plus $23.99 federal; Premium Plus $39.99 federal; State $26.39 per tier (third-party 2026 figures; coupon codes shift these) | Yes (Basic tier: free federal filing for qualifying simple returns) |
 1040.com | Self-employed filers and investors who hate tier pricing | $34.99 flat (federal + state, all forms, all situations) | Prepare and preview free; pay $34.99 to e-file |
 Drake Tax | Tax preparers, small firms and side businesses filing for clients | From $299.99 (Drake Tax Online, pay per return); Pay-Per-Return from $379.99 (10 individual returns included); unlimited 1040 packages from ~$1,895 | Free trial available (no free version) |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best tax software
Tax software does one thing: it turns your financial year into a filed return with the smallest legal tax bill. Everything else, the interview questions, the photo imports, the expert chat buttons, is packaging around that job. And the packaging is priced wildly differently: the same W-2 with some 1099 interest can cost $0 or $143 to file, depending on which logo you click. These ten tools cover the real market, from genuinely free filing to the professional software tax preparers use.
Starting priceFree Edition $0 (simple returns); Deluxe $79 federal + $64 state; Premium $139 federal + $64 state (seasonal pricing, verify live)
Free planYes (Free Edition: $0 federal + $0 state for simple Form 1040 returns)
TurboTax is the premium brand for a reason: the guided interview is the most polished in the category, W-2 photo import and prior-year import cut manual entry, and investor handling (1099-B cost-basis adjustments competitors miss) is genuinely best-in-class. Live expert help and full-service options mean nervous filers never face the return alone.
The honest catch is price creep. Deluxe at $79 plus $64 per state and Premium at $139 plus $64 per state make it 3 to 5 times the cost of budget rivals for the same tax outcome, and upsell prompts appear mid-flow when you add investment or self-employment income. TurboTax reprices through the season, so treat any figure as approximate. Best for complex returns where the guidance justifies the premium; overkill for simple W-2 filers who qualify for free options elsewhere.
What we like- Most polished guided interview in the category with W-2 photo import and prior-year import
- Strongest automation for investors, including 1099-B cost-basis adjustments
- Live expert help and full-service done-for-you options on the same platform
Watch out for- Most expensive DIY option with aggressive mid-flow upsells
- Free Edition covers only simple returns, so most filers get pushed to paid tiers
#2
H&R Block
Best for: Filers who want a credible free tier with in-person backup
Visit hrblock.com
Starting priceFree Online $0; Deluxe $65; Premium $105; Self-Employed $130 (Oct 2026 online tiers; seasonal repricing applies)
Free planYes (Free Online: $0 federal + $0 state for simple returns)
H&R Block is the only major DIY brand with a physical safety net: thousands of offices if the return goes sideways, plus a free online tier that covers more situations than TurboTax's. Paid online tiers (Deluxe $65, Premium $105, Self-Employed $130 per October 2026 figures) undercut TurboTax while covering homeowners, investors and gig workers. It also sells downloadable software for filers who prefer desktop.
The catch is the moving price tag: H&R Block reprices seasonally, and mid-season figures have run lower than fall ones, so verify the live price before filing. Import automation trails TurboTax for investors. Good middle ground for filers who might want a human to double-check their work, with the offices as the differentiator no online-only rival can match.
What we like- Free Online tier covers more situations than TurboTax's free tier
- Thousands of physical offices as backup, unique among DIY tools
- AI Tax Assist in paid tiers plus free Tax Pro Review promotions for new DIY clients
Watch out for- Online pricing is a moving target through the season
- Interface and import automation trail TurboTax for investors
#3
TaxAct
Best for: Budget-conscious filers who still want a mainstream guided product
Visit taxact.com
Starting priceFree $0; Deluxe $59.99 federal; Premier $99.99 federal (+ $64.99 per state); Self-Employed $109.99 federal
Free planYes (Free tier: $0 for W-2 employees, students, Child Tax Credit; limits apply)
TaxAct positions directly against TurboTax at a 24 to 28 percent discount per its own site: Deluxe ($59.99) covers homeowners and childcare, Premier ($99.99) adds investments, crypto, home sales and rentals, Self-Employed ($109.99) covers freelancers. The $100K accuracy guarantee and the personal-plus-business bundling are real differentiators.
The honest catches are the $64.99 state fee, which narrows the savings for multi-state filers, and review sentiment: customers complain about paywalls appearing mid-return, so confirm your tier before investing time. Setup is standard interview-style with W-2 import. A solid pick for straightforward itemizers and investors who do not need TurboTax-level polish.
What we like- Consistently 20-30% cheaper than TurboTax/H&R Block for equivalent tiers, with a $100K accuracy guarantee
- The only major vendor bundling personal + business tax filing online
- Xpert Assist add-on gives access to credentialed US-based tax experts
Watch out for- State fees are steep relative to federal ($64.99/state on Premier)
- Third-party review scores are weak, mostly around upsells and support
#4
FreeTaxUSA
Best for: Confident DIY filers who want the cheapest accurate return
Visit freetaxusa.com
Starting price$0 federal (all returns, all forms); $15.99 per state; Deluxe upgrade $7.99 federal
Free planYes (federal filing free for every tax situation, including self-employment, rentals and investments)
FreeTaxUSA is the power user's budget pick and the value champion of this list: every federal form free, $15.99 per state, optional $7.99 Deluxe for priority support and unlimited amendments. A landlord with rentals and investments pays about $24 total where TurboTax charges $150+. Independent testing has found identical tax liability to TurboTax and H&R Block.
The trade is guidance: the form-organized interface assumes you know a W-2 from a 1099, there is no photo import and no mobile app. If you do not know your tax situation, TurboTax's interview is worth the premium. Prior-year import from competitors is supported, and add-ons (Pro Support $44.99, Audit Defense $19.99) cover the nervous. Best value in the category for confident DIY filers.
What we like- Every IRS form free at the federal level, no tier-jumping for Schedule C, D or E
- A complex return with investments + state costs ~$16-24 total versus $150+ at TurboTax
- IRS-authorized since 2001 with testing showing identical liability to the big brands
Watch out for- No hand-holding interview
- Form-organized interface assumes you know your tax situation
- No W-2 photo import, no mobile app, no live expert review
Starting priceSimply Free $0 (narrow eligibility); Classic $44.99 federal; Self-Employed $74.99 federal; State $47.99
Free planYes (Simply Free: $0 federal with strict simple-situation rules; includes one free state at certain times of season)
TaxSlayer's Classic tier is the quiet value play: $44.99 federal covers investments, rentals and self-employment inputs that cost $139 at TurboTax, with 50+ years of tax-prep heritage behind the calculations. Simply Free even includes a state return, which most rivals' free tiers do not.
The fine print matters twice. Simply Free's eligibility is narrow (single/joint, no dependents, standard deduction, under $100K wages; no EITC or Child Tax Credit), so most filers land on Classic. Then the $47.99 state fee narrows the savings for state filers. TaxSlayer discounts through the season (coupon pages have shown $22.95 Classic), so check the live page. Good for confident filers with moderately complex returns who do not need live expert help.
What we like- Classic at $44.99 undercuts TurboTax Deluxe by ~40% while covering all tax situations
- Simply Free includes a state return, which most rivals' free tiers do not
- 50+ years in tax prep with accuracy and max-refund guarantees
Watch out for- State fee ($47.99) is high relative to the cheap federal tiers
- Simply Free eligibility is narrow (no EITC, no Child Tax Credit, no dependents)
#6
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Cost-minimalists with straightforward-to-moderate returns
Visit cash.app
Starting price$0 (100% free federal and state filing, all forms; no paid tiers)
Free planYes (fully free; no upsells)
Cash App Taxes is the only genuinely free full-featured filer: $0 for federal and state with no paid tiers at all, covering W-2s, 1099s and investments. No upsell screens, no tier traps, no "free*" asterisks. For anyone whose return fits the supported forms and who resents being sold to mid-return, it is the obvious starting point.
The honest catch is support depth: no expert-review safety net, and multi-state filers may find Jackson Hewitt Online or FreeTaxUSA smoother. Setup is mobile-first through Cash App. Anyone wanting a pro to check their work should look at paid tiers elsewhere. For straightforward-to-moderate returns at literally zero cost, nothing else on this list competes.
What we like- Truly free for federal + state including 1099s and investment income, no other major product does this
- No upsell screens or tier traps
- Integrated with the Cash App ecosystem many filers already use
Watch out for- Support is thin compared to paid rivals with no live expert review option
- Feature depth trails TurboTax for exotic situations
#7
Jackson Hewitt Online
Best for: Multi-state filers and complex returns wanting the lowest flat price
Visit jacksonhewitt.com
Starting price$25 flat (federal + state included, all tax situations)
Free planNo free plan (flat $25 for everyone)
Jackson Hewitt Online's $25 flat fee is the multi-state filer's answer to per-state pricing: federal plus unlimited state returns, same price whether the return is simple or self-employed. Once complexity rises, it beats every tiered competitor on price. The 40-year brand and in-person offices offer an assisted-filing escape hatch.
The product runs on white-labeled Drake Tax: solid calculation accuracy, no-frills interface. At $25 it is still $25 more than Cash App Taxes' $0, so simple-return filers should compare honestly. In-person office pricing is separate and set locally; the $25 is online-only. Setup is guided step-by-step with free live chat. For complex returns at the lowest flat price, it wins.
What we like- One $25 flat fee covers federal + unlimited state returns regardless of complexity
- No tier maze: same price for simple and self-employment returns
- Backed by a 40-year brand with in-person offices
Watch out for- The online product runs on white-labeled Drake Tax software with a dated interface
- No free tier, so simple-return filers overpay versus genuinely free options
#8
eFile.com
Best for: Bargain hunters optimizing purely on price
Visit efile.com
Starting priceBasic $0 federal; Deluxe Plus $23.99 federal; Premium Plus $39.99 federal; State $26.39 per tier (third-party 2026 figures; coupon codes shift these)
Free planYes (Basic tier: free federal filing for qualifying simple returns)
eFile.com is for filers who find even FreeTaxUSA pricey at the state level: Premium Plus ($39.99 federal) handles investments, rentals and business income for less than TurboTax's state fee alone, with a flat $26.39 state fee across tiers. Coupon codes routinely cut federal prices further. The guided interview mirrors the big brands, with phone support on Deluxe and Premium.
The safety net is thin: no satisfaction guarantee, a smaller support operation, web-only with no mobile app. Confident filers benefit most; nervous filers should pay for hand-holding elsewhere. For experienced DIY filers optimizing purely on price, it is one of the cheapest credible options in the category.
What we like- Among the cheapest paid tiers anywhere: Premium Plus under $40 federal for complex returns
- Flat state fee across tiers keeps the math simple
- IRS Free File partner with no aggressive upsells
Watch out for- No satisfaction guarantee
- Web-only with no mobile app and no in-person backup
- Low brand recognition
#9
1040.com
Best for: Self-employed filers and investors who hate tier pricing
Visit 1040.com
Starting price$34.99 flat (federal + state, all forms, all situations)
Free planPrepare and preview free; pay $34.99 to e-file
1040.com's proposition is flat-rate simplicity: one $34.99 price, federal and state, no matter how complex the return. Its own site notes competitors charge $80 to $140 just to add a Schedule C, which frames the value for side-gig workers and investors. The try-before-you-buy model removes risk: work through the entire return free, pay only at e-file.
Two honest notes: there is no free filing tier, so simple returns overpay versus $0 options, and Jackson Hewitt Online sells the same Drake-engine product for $25. Owned by the Drake Software family, so calculation quality is pro-grade, with audit assistance as an optional add-on. Best for filers who want flat pricing without brand baggage.
What we like- Single flat price with every form included: Schedule C, investments and rentals cost the same as a simple return
- Try-before-you-buy: complete the whole return free, pay only when you hit send
- Clean minimal interface
Watch out for- No free filing tier: simple returns cost $34.99 that would be $0 elsewhere
- Near-identical Jackson Hewitt Online charges $25, a $10 gap worth knowing
Starting priceFrom $299.99 (Drake Tax Online, pay per return); Pay-Per-Return from $379.99 (10 individual returns included); unlimited 1040 packages from ~$1,895
Free planFree trial available (no free version)
Drake Tax is the professional pick: the engine behind Jackson Hewitt Online and 1040.com, trusted by tens of thousands of preparers. Pay-Per-Return ($379.99 for 10 returns) suits seasonal or part-time preparers; unlimited 1040 packages from ~$1,895 suit firms. All 50 states, e-filing, bank products, e-signature and client portals ride along, with webinars and community for onboarding.
This is not consumer software, and a solo filer should buy 1040.com ($34.99, same engine) instead. The honest catch is fit: dated desktop heritage, real onboarding effort, and pricing that only makes sense when someone else's returns pay for it. Best for anyone monetizing tax prep rather than filing their own.
What we like- Pro-grade engine trusted by tens of thousands of preparers, the same software behind Jackson Hewitt Online and 1040.com
- Flexible entry with pay-per-return for seasonal preparers
- All 50 states, e-filing and unlimited support on every plan
Watch out for- Built for preparers, not DIY consumers: overkill and poor UX for filing your own single return
- Dated desktop heritage with longer onboarding than modern SaaS tools
The seasonal pricing game: why October prices are not April prices
Tax software reprices through the season, and the figures in this article are snapshots. TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxSlayer all discount in the fall and raise prices as the April deadline approaches; coupon pages routinely undercut list prices by 30 to 50 percent. A review quoting "$35 Deluxe" from July and a live page showing "$65 Deluxe" in October can both be accurate.
The practical rules: never budget from a review's screenshot, always check the live pricing page before filing, and search for coupon codes before paying (FED15OFF-style codes are routine at eFile.com and TaxSlayer). The free tiers are the exception: $0 stays $0. For paid tiers, the price you see today is a starting bid, not a quote.
Free filing: who actually qualifies
"Free" in tax software means one of three things. Fully free (Cash App Taxes): every form, federal and state, $0, no tiers. Federal-free (FreeTaxUSA): every federal form $0, pay per state. Simple-return free (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, eFile.com): $0 only if your return is simple, typically W-2 income, standard deduction, no investments, no self-employment, sometimes no dependents or credits.
Most filers with investments, rental income, crypto or freelance income do not qualify for simple-return free tiers. That is the industry's funnel: the free tier gets you started, the mid-return upgrade prompt does the monetizing. Know your tax situation before choosing: simple W-2 filers should take a free tier and never look back; everyone else should compare paid tiers on total cost (federal + state), where FreeTaxUSA, Jackson Hewitt and 1040.com usually win.
How we chose
We started with the categories buyers search: tax software and tax filing software. For each candidate we opened the vendor's own pricing page, checked plan names and prices against public reviews and practitioner discussion on Reddit, and compared feature lists, free-tier eligibility, state-fee math and filer fit. Where a price could not be verified on the vendor's page we wrote "See website" rather than guessing, and we flagged seasonal repricing where third-party sources conflicted. The shortlist mixes free filers, value tiers and one professional product, because a W-2 employee and a tax preparer are not buying the same software.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to file taxes online?
Cash App Taxes at $0 for federal + state, then FreeTaxUSA at $0 federal + $15.99 per state. For complex returns with state filing, Jackson Hewitt Online ($25 flat) and 1040.com ($34.99 flat) beat every tiered competitor. Simple W-2 filers should use any major free tier and pay nothing.
Is free tax software safe and accurate?
Yes, if it is IRS-authorized: Cash App Taxes, FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct Free and the other tools here are all legitimate e-file providers. Independent testing has found identical tax liability across FreeTaxUSA, TurboTax and H&R Block for the same inputs. The differences are guidance, support and upsells, not math.
Why does TurboTax cost so much more than FreeTaxUSA?
Guidance and brand: the polished interview, import automation, investor tooling and live expert help. The tax calculation itself is the same. Pay the premium if you want hand-holding or have investments; skip it if you know your forms, where FreeTaxUSA delivers the same return for ~$16.
Can I file multiple state returns cheaply?
Jackson Hewitt Online ($25 flat, unlimited states) is the cheapest; 1040.com ($34.99 flat) is next. Per-state fees ($15.99 at FreeTaxUSA, $47.99 at TaxSlayer, $64+ at TurboTax/H&R Block) punish multi-state filers, so flat-rate tools win by a wide margin once you cross two states.
When should I hire a tax pro instead of using software?
When the return includes business sales, multi-state business income, heavy crypto activity, or anything you cannot explain confidently: the software handles the forms, but judgment calls need a human. H&R Block's offices, TurboTax's expert review, and FreeTaxUSA's Pro Support add-on all bridge the gap without a full CPA engagement.
What is the best tax software for self-employed filers?
FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal, Schedule C included) for confident filers; 1040.com ($34.99 flat) for flat-rate simplicity; Jackson Hewitt Online ($25 flat) for the lowest all-in price with state. TurboTax Premium and H&R Block Self-Employed cost 4 to 6 times more for the same forms, so only pay it for the guidance.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://turbotax.intuit.com
- https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/
- https://www.taxact.com
- https://freetaxusa.com
- https://www.taxslayer.com
- http://cash.app/taxes
- https://www.jacksonhewitt.com
- https://efile.com
- https://www.1040.com/pricing
- https://www.drakesoftware.com
- https://www.irs.gov/free-file
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.