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
- Retiree tax returns are often simpler than working years: Social Security, pensions, and 1099-R income are handled well by every tool here.
- FreeTaxUSA files federal returns free for all tax situations with state at $15.99, making it the best value for confident filers.
- TurboTax and H&R Block offer the most guidance for retirees who want hand-holding, including live expert help and, for H&R Block, in-person offices.
- If your adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less, IRS Free File may let you file federal taxes free through partner software.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TurboTax | Maximum guidance and live experts | See website | Yes (Free Edition for simple returns) |
 H&R Block | Guidance plus in-person offices | See website | Yes (free online filing for simple returns) |
 FreeTaxUSA | Best value for confident filers | Free federal (state returns $15.99) | Yes |
 TaxAct | Affordable with free retirement-income filing | Free (Free Edition; paid plans for complex returns) | Yes (Free Edition covers retirement income) |
 Cash App Taxes | Completely free federal and state | Free | Yes |
 TaxSlayer | Low-cost plans with free tier | Free (Classic $44.99) | Yes (Simply Free tier) |
 Jackson Hewitt | In-person help plus online filing | See website | See website |
 IRS Free File | Free filing for qualifying incomes | Free (for qualifying taxpayers) | Yes |
 1040.com | One flat rate, no upsells | $34.99 flat (federal + state) | No |
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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 for retirees
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes (Free Edition for simple returns)
Retirement brings new tax forms, and TurboTax is the most hand-holding way through them. The interview format asks plain questions about Social Security benefits, pension distributions, and IRA withdrawals, then puts the answers on the right lines. For retirees who filed with an accountant for decades and are going DIY for the first time, that guidance removes most of the fear.
The price is the trade. TurboTax costs more than every other option here, and the checkout flow promotes add-ons, so watch the total before paying. The Free Edition covers only simple returns, and most retirees with investment income or itemized deductions land in a paid tier. Where TurboTax earns its price is the expert network: you can have a credentialed tax expert review the return or prepare it entirely, which suits retirees who want a professional safety net without visiting an office.
What we like- Step-by-step interview handles Social Security and 1099-R income
- Live tax experts available
- Imports prior-year returns and 1099s
Watch out for- Most expensive of the DIY options
- Upsells appear during filing
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes (free online filing for simple returns)
H&R Block is the middle path: guided software like TurboTax, usually at a lower price, with thousands of physical offices behind it. The online interview handles Social Security, pensions, and retirement account distributions competently, and the free online tier covers simple returns. For retirees who like the idea of software but want a human nearby, the office network is a genuine differentiator; you can start online and finish with a tax pro in person.
Pricing undercuts TurboTax at comparable tiers, though exact prices shift each season, so check the site. The interface is solid rather than delightful, and the filing flow includes its own upsell screens. Audit support options exist for those who want them. If you filed with H&R Block during working years, staying put keeps your prior-year data in one place.
What we like- Large network of physical offices for in-person help
- Interview covers retirement income well
- Generally cheaper than TurboTax
Watch out for- Interface less polished than TurboTax
- Upsells during the flow
Starting priceFree federal (state returns $15.99)
Free planYes
FreeTaxUSA is the value champion, and its pricing page is refreshingly blunt: federal $0 for everyone, state $15.99, with no upgrades required for complex returns. Investment income, rental property, and itemized deductions, the situations that push TurboTax users into expensive tiers, are all included free. For a retiree comfortable answering tax questions without an interview holding their hand, the savings are substantial.
The interface is straightforward rather than guided, which is the real trade: you should know what a 1099-R is before you start. Support options like Pro Support ($64.99) and Audit Defense ($19.99) are available as add-ons. If you have filed your own taxes before and resent paying $100+ for software, this is where your money stays in your pocket.
What we like- Federal filing free for every tax situation, including investments and rentals
- State only $15.99
- Accuracy and maximum-refund guarantees
Watch out for- Less hand-holding than TurboTax
- Live expert help costs extra
#4
TaxAct
Best for: Affordable with free retirement-income filing
Visit taxact.com
Starting priceFree (Free Edition; paid plans for complex returns)
Free planYes (Free Edition covers retirement income)
TaxAct deserves attention from retirees for one reason: its Free Edition explicitly covers retirement income. If your return is Social Security plus pension or IRA distributions with the standard deduction, you may file free. About 40% of users qualify for the free tier, and retirees with simple income are squarely in that group.
When the return gets more complex, investments, rental income, or itemized deductions, paid plans kick in at prices below TurboTax's equivalents. Live expert help is available as a $45 add-on rather than a forced tier jump. The interface will not impress anyone, but it gets the job done. Check the qualifications list on the pricing page before assuming you are in the free tier.
What we like- Free Edition explicitly covers W-2, unemployment, and retirement income
- Paid tiers cheaper than TurboTax
- Expert help add-on available
Watch out for- Free Edition excludes investments and itemized deductions
- Interface feels dated
#5
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Completely free federal and state
Visit cash.app
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, is the only major option here that is completely free: federal and state, no tiers, no upsells. The interface is clean and fast, and for a straightforward retiree return it asks the right questions without ceremony. There is something to be said for software with no checkout screen trying to sell you audit protection.
The limits show up with complexity. Investment income support is thinner than FreeTaxUSA's, and there is no option to pay for expert review; what you see is what you get. For retirees with simple income who want to pay exactly zero dollars, it is hard to argue with. For anyone with rental property or complicated brokerage activity, pick a tool with deeper investment support.
What we like- Federal and state filing completely free
- Simple interface
- No upsells
Watch out for- Limited support for complex investment situations
- No expert help option
Starting priceFree (Classic $44.99)
Free planYes (Simply Free tier)
TaxSlayer positions itself as the value alternative to the big two, and the pricing page backs it up: Simply Free at $0, Classic at $44.99 with all major forms, Premium at $64.99, and Self-Employed at $74.99. The Classic tier covering every form at that price is the sweet spot for retirees with investment income who find FreeTaxUSA too spare.
Switching is easy: upload a prior-year return and the software carries forward your information. W-2 and 1099 imports cut down on typing. The interview is less polished than TurboTax's, and state returns add cost on top of federal. For the price, though, TaxSlayer delivers a complete filing experience that handles everything a typical retiree return includes.
What we like- Simply Free tier at $0
- Classic at $44.99 covers all forms
- Prior-year return upload for easy switching
Watch out for- Interface less guided than TurboTax
- State filing costs extra on paid tiers
Starting priceSee website
Free planSee website
Jackson Hewitt built its name on accessibility: offices and kiosks in thousands of Walmart stores, with walk-in hours that suit people who prefer talking to a person. That matters for retirees uncomfortable with pure DIY software. The online filing product covers the basics, and the in-person service handles everything else.
The trade is software depth. Jackson Hewitt's online tool is simpler than TurboTax or H&R Block, with fewer planning features. In-office pricing varies by location and return complexity, so ask for the price before the preparer starts. For a retiree who wants a human to handle it all and lives near a location, the convenience is the product.
What we like- Thousands of offices and Walmart kiosks for walk-in help
- Online filing option
- Straightforward pricing
Watch out for- Online software less feature-rich than TurboTax or H&R Block
- Pricing varies by location and complexity
#8
IRS Free File
Best for: Free filing for qualifying incomes
Visit irs.gov
Starting priceFree (for qualifying taxpayers)
Free planYes
IRS Free File is the government's own free filing program, and too many eligible retirees overlook it. If your adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less, you can prepare and e-file your federal return free using guided software from Free File Alliance partners. Some partners include a free state return too. The program bans upsells and deceptive practices, which is more than commercial free tiers promise.
Two rules matter. First, always start at IRS.gov/freefile; going directly to a partner's site will not get you the free version. Second, each partner sets its own eligibility beyond the income cap, so use the IRS lookup tool to find one that fits. For retirees under the income limit, this is free filing with consumer protections built in.
What we like- Free federal filing through brand-name partners
- No upsells allowed
- Calculation guarantees from partners
Watch out for- Income limits apply (AGI $84,000 or less for guided software)
- Must start at IRS.gov, not partner sites
Starting price$34.99 flat (federal + state)
Free planNo
1040.com takes the opposite approach from tiered pricing: one flat $34.99 covers federal and state, every form included, no upsells. The homepage explicitly lists "I am retired" and "I receive(d) Social Security" among the situations covered, which tells you who they are courting. Schedule C, investments, and multiple states all fall under the same price.
There is no free tier, so simple-return filers should use a free option instead. And the guidance is plainer than TurboTax's interview. But for a retiree whose return is too complex for free tiers, $34.99 all-in with no surprise upgrades is honest pricing that is easy to recommend.
What we like- Single $34.99 price covers federal and state with all forms
- Site explicitly welcomes retirees and Social Security income
- No tier games
Watch out for- No free tier
- Fewer guidance features than TurboTax
Retirement income is simpler than it looks
Most retirees overestimate how complicated their taxes are. Social Security benefits, pension payments, and IRA or 401(k) distributions arrive on familiar forms, SSA-1099 and 1099-R, and every tool here knows what to do with them. The standard deduction covers most retirees, which removes the biggest complexity of all.
Where retiree returns get tricky is at the edges: part-time consulting income, rental property, required minimum distributions after age 73, and the taxation of Social Security benefits, which phases in based on combined income. If any of those apply, favor software with strong investment and self-employment support, like FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer Classic, or TurboTax, over the simplest free tiers. When in doubt, the IRS Free File lookup and each vendor's questionnaire will tell you which tier you actually need before you pay.
Free help exists if you prefer a human
Software is not the only option. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help if you make $67,000 or less, and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program serves people 60 and older through AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide, with IRS-certified volunteers who specialize in pensions and retirement issues. Both are free and in-person at community sites.
These programs suit retirees who would rather sit with a person than learn software, or whose returns have quirks worth discussing. Appointments fill up during tax season, so book early. For everyone else, the software above handles the same returns at your own pace.
How we chose
We reviewed pricing pages, documentation, and feature lists on each vendor's own site, then checked buyer sentiment on review platforms and independent 2026 tax software roundups. We weighted the situations retirees actually face: Social Security income, 1099-R distributions, required minimum distributions, and investment income, rather than W-2 or self-employment scenarios. We excluded software that had shut down and generic accounting tools. We did not file test returns; the method rests on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What tax forms do retirees need?
Most retirees receive SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits and 1099-R for pension, annuity, and retirement account distributions. Those with investment accounts get 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, or 1099-B. Every tool in this guide handles these forms.
Is Social Security income taxable?
It depends on your combined income. Up to 85% of benefits can be taxable at higher incomes, while many retirees owe no tax on benefits at all. Tax software calculates this automatically once you enter your SSA-1099 and other income.
What is the best free tax software for retirees?
IRS Free File if your AGI is $84,000 or less, FreeTaxUSA for free federal filing at any income, and Cash App Taxes for free federal and state. TaxAct's Free Edition also covers retirement income specifically.
Do retirees need to file a state return?
Most states require it if you meet their income thresholds, though a few states have no income tax. State filing rules and prices vary by software: FreeTaxUSA charges $15.99 per state, Cash App Taxes includes it free, and 1040.com bundles it in the flat rate.
When do retirees need to take required minimum distributions?
Generally starting at age 73 for traditional IRAs and 401(k)s under current law. Missing an RMD triggers steep penalties, so software that tracks retirement accounts or a conversation with a tax pro is worthwhile as you approach that age.
Should I use software or hire a tax preparer?
Software handles most retiree returns accurately at a fraction of the cost. Consider a preparer or a service like H&R Block's offices or Jackson Hewitt if you have rental property, complex investments, estate questions, or simply prefer a human. Free VITA and TCE programs cover many retirees too.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://turbotax.intuit.com
- https://www.hrblock.com
- https://www.freetaxusa.com
- https://www.taxact.com
- https://cash.app
- https://www.taxslayer.com
- https://www.jacksonhewitt.com
- https://www.irs.gov/freefile
- https://1040.com/
- https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/ways-to-file-taxes-for-free
- https://www.mydollarpath.com/blog/best-tax-software-in-2026-turbotax-vs-hr-block-vs-freetaxusa
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.