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
- Cash App Taxes is the only fully free option for federal and state filing in every tax situation, with no paid tiers.
- FreeTaxUSA charges $0 for federal filing on any return, with state returns at $15.99, making it the best value for confident filers.
- TurboTax and H&R Block cost more but offer the most guided help, expert review and, for H&R Block, in-person offices.
- TaxSlayer Classic at $44.99 federal and 1040.com at a flat $34.99 are strong mid-price options for complex returns.
- Tax prices change seasonally, so confirm the current price on the vendor site before you file.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TurboTax | Guided filing for every situation | Free | Yes |
 H&R Block | Free tier plus in-person offices | Free | Yes |
 TaxAct | Transparent pricing with expert help options | Free | Yes |
 FreeTaxUSA | Free federal filing for any complexity | $0 federal | Yes |
 TaxSlayer | Budget-friendly paid plans | Free | Yes |
 Cash App Taxes | Completely free federal and state filing | $0 | Yes |
 Jackson Hewitt | In-person help and flat-fee online filing | See website | No |
 1040.com | One flat rate for federal and state | $34.99 | No |
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The best tax software comparison
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TurboTax remains the platform to beat for guided filing. Its conversational interview, W-2 photo capture and brokerage imports from major firms make complex returns feel manageable, and the Live tiers add expert review while Full Service hands the whole return to a tax expert. The site notes that last tax year the IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days for e-filed returns with direct deposit.
The cost is the catch. Paid tiers run well above budget rivals, state filing adds a further fee, and paying with your refund adds a $40 service fee. For simple W-2 returns, the free edition works, but anyone with investments, rentals or self-employment will pay. Choose TurboTax when you want maximum hand-holding and are willing to pay for it.
What we like- Most polished interview-style guidance
- Deepest brokerage and document imports
- Expert review and full-service options
- Refund advance available
Watch out for- Most expensive at every paid tier
- Aggressive upsells inside the flow
- Free edition covers simple returns only
#2H&R Block
Best for: Free tier plus in-person offices4.0/5 on
G2 (21 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hrblock.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
H&R Block is the strongest TurboTax alternative, and its free tier is genuinely broader: the vendor states that Free Online accepts more forms for free than the TurboTax Free Edition. Online tiers cover simple through self-employed returns, and the option to walk into one of thousands of offices for help is unique among online-first tools. The company describes itself as the number one tax preparer based on assisted returns prepared in 2024.
For filers who want a credible free tier with a human fallback, H&R Block is the best balance. Paid tiers are priced below TurboTax at comparable levels, though seasonal repricing applies, so check the live price. If your return gets complicated mid-flow, the office network is a real safety net.
What we like- Free Online accepts more forms than TurboTax Free Edition
- Thousands of offices for in-person help
- AI Tax Assist and expert help options
Watch out for- Free Online is for simple returns only
- Paid tiers and state fees add up
- Office visits cost more than online filing
#3
TaxAct
Best for: Transparent pricing with expert help options
Visit taxact.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TaxAct is the value pick among the mainstream guided products. Its Free Edition covers W-2, unemployment and retirement income, earned income and child tax credits, dependents and student loan interest, but excludes investment income, rental income, business income and itemized deductions. The paid tiers add expert help for only $45 on top of the return, which undercuts TurboTax and H&R Block expert pricing.
TaxAct's accuracy guarantee is also the strongest on paper, covering IRS penalties, interest and the difference owed up to $100,000. For budget-conscious filers who want a mainstream guided product with affordable expert help, TaxAct is a strong middle option, as long as you check whether you qualify for the free tier first.
What we like- Free Edition starts at $0 for qualifying simple returns
- Expert help add-on only $45
- Accuracy guarantee covers penalties and interest up to $100,000
Watch out for- Free Edition covers Form 1040 only with no schedules, so about 40 percent of users qualify
- Mobile filing is less polished than TurboTax
- State fees apply
Starting price$0 federal
Free planYes
FreeTaxUSA is the best value in tax software for confident filers. Unlike every other free tier here, its federal filing is free for all returns and all forms, with no upgrade needed for complex situations. State returns cost $15.99 each, and optional Deluxe support at $7.99 adds live chat, priority support and unlimited amendments, while Pro Support at $64.99 adds a final review and personal tax advice.
The interface is functional rather than beautiful, and there are no offices to visit, but the math is hard to argue with: a self-employed filer with investments and a rental pays $0 federal plus $15.99 state, versus $100 plus at the big brands. If you are comfortable answering tax questions yourself, FreeTaxUSA is the cheapest accurate return available.
What we like- Federal filing free for every tax situation, including self-employment, rentals and investments
- State returns $15.99
- Deluxe support only $7.99
- Pro Support $64.99
Watch out for- Interface is plainer than TurboTax
- No in-person offices
- Audit defense costs $19.99 extra
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
TaxSlayer sits between the free tools and the premium brands. Simply Free covers W-2 income, unemployment, taxable interest, education credits and the standard deduction, and it includes one free state return, with additional states at $47.99. Classic at $44.99 federal covers all income types, all major forms, itemized deductions, rental property, stocks and crypto, with state at $47.99.
The Self-Employed tier at $74.99 adds a self-employed tax guide, access to tax pros with self-employed expertise and quarterly estimated payment reminders. For filers with moderately complex returns who want a low paid price without going fully free, TaxSlayer Classic is the best-priced mainstream option.
What we like- Simply Free includes one free state return
- Classic at $44.99 federal covers all major forms
- Self-employed tier at $74.99 with quarterly reminders
Watch out for- Simply Free has narrow eligibility
- State returns $47.99 on paid tiers
- Support is thinner than TurboTax or H&R Block
#6
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Completely free federal and state filing
Visit cash.app
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Cash App Taxes is the only service here that is completely free for everyone. Federal and state filing cost $0 no matter your tax situation, whether you have W-2 income, 1099 work, investments, rental income or crypto, with no paid tiers and no upsells. The vendor reports more than 12 million returns filed, and it is an authorized IRS e-file provider meeting IRS security standards.
The trade-offs are real but narrow: you need a Cash App account to use it, and there is no expert review or full-service option for filers who want a professional to check their work. For cost-minimalists with straightforward to moderate returns, and even for many complex returns, Cash App Taxes is the cheapest legitimate way to file, because it costs nothing at all.
What we like- 100 percent free federal and state filing for every situation
- No paid tiers or upsells
- Over 12 million returns filed
- Early refund with Cash App direct deposit
Watch out for- Requires a Cash App account
- Self-service only with no expert review option
- Fewer import partnerships than TurboTax
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Jackson Hewitt is the in-person-first option. With locations nationwide including inside Walmart stores, it suits filers who want to sit with a tax professional rather than answer questions on a screen. The vendor guarantees your maximum refund, promises to pay you if it makes a mistake on your return, and reports 45 years of experience with more than 70 million returns prepared.
The online edition uses flat-fee pricing rather than tiered pricing, though the current price is not shown on the homepage, so check before buying. For filers who value face-to-face help, especially those with IRS notices, back taxes or complex situations, Jackson Hewitt's office network and tax resolution specialists are a genuine advantage over DIY-only tools.
What we like- Thousands of offices including Walmart locations
- Maximum refund guarantee
- 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 465,000 customer reviews
- Tax resolution help available
Watch out for- No free online tier
- Online pricing not shown on the homepage
- Office filing costs more than DIY software
#8
1040.com
Best for: One flat rate for federal and state
Visit 1040.com
Starting price$34.99
Free planNo
1040.com is the simplest pricing in tax software: one flat $34.99 covers federal and state filing, every form and multiple states at the same rate, with no hidden fees. Whether you file a straightforward W-2, report self-employment income, own rental properties or sold stock or crypto, the price stays $34.99, and you pay only when you file.
The simplicity is the point. There is no tier maze, no state add-on surprise and no surcharge for Schedule C. The trade-off is guidance depth: 1040.com guides you step by step, but it lacks the import breadth, expert review tiers and polished interview of TurboTax. For filers who know their situation and want one predictable price, 1040.com is the cleanest deal among paid tools.
What we like- One flat $34.99 rate covers federal and state, all forms and multiple states
- Schedule C included at no extra cost
- IRS-authorized e-file provider
Watch out for- No free tier
- Fewer guidance features than TurboTax
- Smaller brand with less support depth
How we chose
We compared vendor homepages, pricing pages and documentation against public comparisons and user reviews. Every tool here had its official homepage opened and confirmed, and each one is a genuine US individual tax filing product. Prices are seasonal and change during filing season, so where a vendor does not publish a price on its homepage we recorded "See website". This article is general information, not tax advice: for complex situations, consult a qualified tax professional.
What to weigh before you buy
Start with your return's complexity. Simple W-2 returns are free almost everywhere, so pick on interface and support. Complex returns with investments, rentals or self-employment are where prices diverge sharply: Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA handle them free or nearly free, while TurboTax and H&R Block charge premium tier prices.
Then check the total, not the headline. Federal price plus state price plus any expert help or audit defense add-on is the real cost, and paying with your refund adds fees at most vendors. File early, e-file with direct deposit for the fastest refund, and keep a copy of your return: the IRS typically issues most refunds within 21 days of e-file acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest tax software?
Cash App Taxes is completely free for federal and state filing in every tax situation. FreeTaxUSA is free for federal filing on any return, with state returns at $15.99. Both are legitimate, IRS-authorized options.
Is free tax software safe?
Yes, provided you use an IRS-authorized e-file provider. Cash App Taxes, FreeTaxUSA, TurboTax Free Edition and H&R Block Free Online all meet IRS security standards, use encryption and support two-factor authentication.
Which tax software is best for self-employed filers?
Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA handle Schedule C free or nearly free, while TaxSlayer Self-Employed at $74.99 federal adds self-employed guidance and quarterly reminders. TurboTax and H&R Block self-employed tiers cost considerably more.
Does tax software guarantee accuracy?
Most vendors guarantee their calculations: if the software makes an error, they cover resulting IRS penalties and interest, and TaxAct covers up to $100,000 including the difference owed. Guarantees do not cover tax you actually owe, only errors caused by the software.
When is the tax filing deadline?
The federal filing 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: tax owed is still due by the original deadline.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://turbotax.intuit.com
- https://www.hrblock.com
- https://www.taxact.com
- https://www.freetaxusa.com
- https://www.taxslayer.com
- https://cash.app/taxes
- https://www.jacksonhewitt.com
- https://www.1040.com
- https://rankite.com/blog/best-tax-software
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.