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
- TurboTax and H&R Block are the two giants: TurboTax for guided DIY filing, H&R Block for the option of in-person expert help.
- Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA are the value kings: Cash App Taxes is free for federal and state with no income limits, FreeTaxUSA is free for all federal situations.
- TaxSlayer, TaxAct, and 1040.com sit in the middle with transparent mid-range pricing.
- Jackson Hewitt suits filers who want a national brand with thousands of physical offices as backup.
- Free tiers are real but limited: simple returns file free almost everywhere, while investors and freelancers should budget $35 to $75.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 TurboTax | Guided DIY filing with the deepest feature set | $0 (Free Edition) | Yes |
 H&R Block | DIY filing with in-person expert backup | $0 (Free Online) | Yes |
 FreeTaxUSA | Free federal filing for every tax situation | $0 federal; $15.99/state | Yes |
 Cash App Taxes | Truly free federal and state filing | $0 federal and state | Yes |
 TaxSlayer | Budget filers who want US-based support | $0 (Simply Free); Classic $44.99 | Yes |
 TaxAct | Straightforward filers who like price transparency | $0 (Free Edition) | Yes |
 1040.com | One flat price for federal and state, all forms | $34.99 (federal + state) | No |
 Jackson Hewitt | Filers who want a national office network behind them | 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Is your product missing or out of date?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 tax software reviews
The W-2s arrive in a pile on the kitchen table in late January. By mid-February you are staring at three browser tabs, each promising the biggest refund, each with a different price. Picking tax software should be a twenty-minute decision, not a research project, so here are honest reviews of the eight options that matter for 2026.
These are consumer DIY products, not professional preparer suites. Every one below e-files to the IRS, and every one offers some free path, but the free paths are not equal.
Starting price$0 (Free Edition)
Free planYes
TurboTax is the category leader for a reason: the guided interview asks plain-language questions and handles the forms behind the scenes, importing W-2s by photo, pulling in last year's data, and walking through deductions you would not think to claim. Tiers run from the Free Edition through Deluxe, Premium, and self-employed options, with Expert Assist and Full Service products where a tax professional reviews or fully prepares your return. Extras like the Refund Advance loan and early refund deposit through Credit Karma Money add convenience at tax time.
The honest catch is price and the free-tier boundary. TurboTax's paid products cost more than every competitor here, and the Free Edition only covers simple returns without schedules. It fits filers with moderately complex situations who want the most hand-holding and are willing to pay for it.
What we like- The most guided interview in the industry, with W-2 photo import and prior-year carryover
- Free Edition covers simple returns
- Expert help tiers up to full-service filing
Watch out for- Paid tiers are the priciest in the category
- The free edition covers only simple Form 1040 returns, roughly 37 percent of filers
Starting price$0 (Free Online)
Free planYes
H&R Block is the only major brand that is equally a software company and a retail tax chain, and that dual identity is its strength: file online yourself with Free Online or paid tiers, or start online and finish with a tax pro in one of thousands of offices, including locations inside Walmart stores. The company claims its Free Online product accepts more forms for free than the TurboTax Free Edition, and all filing methods carry accuracy, maximum-refund, and satisfaction guarantees.
The catch is the DIY experience itself, which reviewers consistently rank a notch below TurboTax for guidance and design, plus the familiar drip of upgrade prompts. It fits filers who want the safety net of in-person help without giving up the option to file themselves.
What we like- Free Online covers more forms free than TurboTax Free Edition
- Roughly 10,000 offices nationwide for in-person help
- Accuracy and maximum-refund guarantees
Watch out for- The online interface is less polished than TurboTax
- Upsells appear during the filing flow
Starting price$0 federal; $15.99/state
Free planYes
FreeTaxUSA's pitch is disarmingly simple: free federal filing for everyone, all tax situations included, with no upsell required to file a complex return. State returns cost $15.99, audit defense is $19.99, and Pro Support with personal tax advice and phone support runs $64.99. The company is upfront about the business model: it makes money on state returns and optional services, and it states plainly that it never sells your tax return information.
The catch is support and polish. Free users get the software but not live expert help, and the interface prioritizes function over beauty. It fits cost-conscious filers, including investors and freelancers with complex federal returns, who do not need hand-holding and resent paying extra just to access every form.
What we like- Federal filing is genuinely free for everyone, including complex returns
- State returns are a flat $15.99
- Optional Pro Support at $64.99 with tax advice
Watch out for- No live expert help on the free tier (Deluxe Support is $7.99)
- The interface is functional rather than beautiful
#4
Cash App Taxes
Best for: Truly free federal and state filing
Visit cash.app
Starting price$0 federal and state
Free planYes
Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, is the only service here offering truly free federal and state filing to all users: no income limits, no complexity tiers, no state fee. Self-employment income, 1099s, investments, and crypto are all covered at $0, with accuracy and maximum-refund guarantees. Depositing your refund into Cash App can also get it up to five days early. It is an authorized IRS e-file provider meeting IRS security standards.
The catch is the ecosystem lock-in and thin support. You must have a Cash App account, and if your return gets complicated, there is no paid expert tier to escalate to. It fits tech-comfortable filers of any complexity who want to pay nothing and do not need a human to talk to.
What we like- 100 percent free federal and state filing with no income limits or complexity tiers
- Covers 1099s, self-employment, stocks, and crypto
- Over 12 million returns filed
Watch out for- You need a Cash App account to use it
- Live expert support is limited compared to paid competitors
Starting price$0 (Simply Free); Classic $44.99
Free planYes
TaxSlayer has quietly become the value alternative to the big two: Simply Free at $0 for basic returns, Classic at $44.99, Premium at $64.99, and Self-Employed at $74.99, each with prepare, print, and e-file included. The guided interview covers all filing statuses, all major forms, itemized deductions, rental property, stocks, and crypto depending on tier. US-based human support and the newer PrepCheck AI chatbot answer questions as you file, and prior-year return uploads make switching easy.
The catch is automation depth: lower tiers do not link bank accounts or auto-scan documents the way TurboTax does, so accuracy depends on careful manual entry. It fits freelancers, gig workers, and budget-minded filers who want real support at roughly half the price of the leaders.
What we like- Transparent tiered pricing from $0 to $74.99 for self-employed
- Simply Free tier for basic returns
- US-based human support and a PrepCheck AI assistant
Watch out for- No bank-account linking or automatic document import at lower tiers
- The interface trails the big two
#6
TaxAct
Best for: Straightforward filers who like price transparency
Visit taxact.com
Starting price$0 (Free Edition)
Free planYes
TaxAct positions itself as the transparent alternative, and its homepage literally charts its prices against TurboTax and H&R Block: federal filing from $0, live expert help as a $45 add-on, and full-service tax pro filing from $99. The Free Edition covers W-2, unemployment, and retirement income with common credits like the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, while paid tiers handle investments, rentals, business income, and itemized deductions. Mobile-first filing with document photo capture suits filers who do taxes on a phone.
The catch is the free tier's narrow door: roughly 40 percent of users qualify, and anything beyond basic income pushes you to paid tiers. It fits straightforward filers who want to see the price upfront and may want affordable expert help.
What we like- Federal filing starts at $0 with a clear comparison chart against competitors
- Expert help is a flat $45 add-on
- Tax pro filing starts at $99
Watch out for- Only about 40 percent of users qualify for the Free Edition
- The free tier excludes investments, rentals, and self-employment income
#7
1040.com
Best for: One flat price for federal and state, all forms
Visit 1040.com
Starting price$34.99 (federal + state)
Free planNo
1040.com's entire pitch fits in one sentence: file your federal and state taxes for $34.99, every form included. Self-employment, rental property, investments, crypto, HSA, multiple states: all covered under the same flat rate, and you pay nothing until you actually file. It is an IRS-authorized e-file provider with bank-level encryption, and the three-step flow is genuinely simple.
The catch is the absence of a free tier and the smaller support operation. If your return is simple, Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA costs less. It fits filers with moderately complex returns who want one predictable price and are tired of tiered upsells.
What we like- One $34.99 flat rate covers federal and state with every form included
- Multiple states at the same price
- Pay only when you file
Watch out for- No free tier at all
- Smaller brand with less hand-holding than the giants
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Jackson Hewitt is the second-largest tax preparation company in the US, built on nearly 6,000 franchised and company-owned offices, and its online filing product extends that brand to DIY filers. The differentiator is the physical network: start online, and a tax pro is nearby if the return gets complicated. Guarantees include the maximum refund and accuracy, and the company also offers tax resolution services for IRS notices and back taxes.
The catch is that DIY is not the brand's home turf: the online product gets less attention than the office business, and pricing is not published for comparison. It fits filers who value a national brand with a human fallback over the cheapest online price.
What we like- 45 years in business with 70-plus million returns prepared
- Thousands of offices including Walmart locations
- Maximum-refund guarantee and tax resolution services
Watch out for- Primarily an assisted-preparation brand, so the DIY online product is secondary
- Pricing is not published online
How we chose
We started with the consumer tax software products that dominate 2026 buyer searches, review roundups, and IRS Free File discussions, then narrowed to eight covering the real spectrum: the two giants, the free-first challengers, the mid-range value plays, and the office-backed brand. For each product we opened the vendor's official site and confirmed current pricing and free-tier claims against the vendor's own pages, and we read public user feedback on review sites and tax forums. One commonly listed name, eFile.com, was dropped after its homepage showed the service has closed. We did not file test returns; our assessments come from vendor materials and verified public sources.
How to pick tax software without overpaying
Match the product to your return's complexity, not to the brand you recognize.
Simple W-2 return? File free.
If your return is W-2 income, standard deduction, and common credits, you should pay $0. Cash App Taxes is free for federal and state with no limits; FreeTaxUSA is free for federal; TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer all have free editions for simple returns. There is no reason to pay for a simple return in 2026.
Investments, rentals, or self-employment? Compare the mid-range.
This is where prices diverge. FreeTaxUSA keeps federal free and charges $15.99 for state. 1040.com charges one $34.99 flat rate. TaxSlayer runs $44.99 to $74.99 by tier. TurboTax and H&R Block cost the most but offer the most guidance. Run the numbers for your specific situation before you start entering data, because switching products mid-return wastes an afternoon.
Complicated or anxious? Buy the help.
If your return involves business income, multiple states, or stock sales you do not fully understand, the cheapest software is not the cheapest outcome. TaxAct's $45 expert add-on, FreeTaxUSA's $64.99 Pro Support, or H&R Block's office network can pay for themselves in avoided mistakes. An hour with a pro beats a weekend of guessing.
The free-filing fine print most people miss
Every vendor advertises free filing, but free means different things. TurboTax and TaxAct limit free editions to simple returns, with only about 37 to 40 percent of filers qualifying. FreeTaxUSA's free federal covers all situations, but state costs $15.99. Cash App Taxes is the only product here with zero asterisks: federal and state free for everyone.
Two more traps: state filing fees and refund products. Several vendors charge separately for state returns, and "get your refund early" features are usually loans or paid add-ons, not faster IRS processing. Read the state price and the refund-product terms before you click through, because that is where the surprise charges live.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tax software for simple returns?
For a simple W-2 return, Cash App Taxes is the strongest pick: federal and state filing are completely free with no income limits. FreeTaxUSA is free for federal returns in all situations. TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer also offer free editions, but only for simple returns.
Is Cash App Taxes really free?
Yes. Cash App Taxes charges $0 for federal and state returns regardless of complexity, including self-employment income, investments, and crypto. You do need a Cash App account to use it. The trade-off is limited live expert support compared to paid competitors.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block: which is better?
TurboTax offers the most polished guided DIY experience and the deepest feature set, at the highest prices. H&R Block offers comparable online filing plus roughly 10,000 physical offices for in-person help, and its free online edition covers more forms than TurboTax's. Choose TurboTax for the best DIY software, H&R Block for the best human backup.
How much does tax software cost?
Simple returns file free at most services. Mid-range products run $15 to $75: FreeTaxUSA charges $15.99 for state, 1040.com charges a $34.99 flat rate, and TaxSlayer tiers run $44.99 to $74.99. TurboTax and H&R Block paid tiers are the most expensive. State fees and add-ons like audit defense cost extra.
Can I file my state return for free?
Cash App Taxes includes state filing free for everyone. FreeTaxUSA charges $15.99 per state. 1040.com includes state in its $34.99 flat rate. TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer charge separately for state returns on most tiers, so check the state price before choosing.
Is it safe to file taxes online?
Yes, provided you use an authorized IRS e-file provider, which all eight products here are. They use encryption and meet IRS security standards. Avoid filing over public Wi-Fi, use two-factor authentication where offered, and never share your login credentials.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://turbotax.intuit.com
- https://www.hrblock.com
- https://freetaxusa.com
- https://cash.app/taxes
- https://www.taxslayer.com
- https://www.taxact.com
- https://1040.com/
- 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 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.