To find the best tax software, we reviewed 10 online tax preparers, including TaxAct, TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxSlayer. Here's how they stack up.
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Life is too short to make tax filing more complicated than it already is.
To help you do your taxes with ease, we reviewed a long list of popular tax preparation software to find the best offerings for every situation.
The majority of Americans qualify to file their taxes for free (or at a very low cost) through the IRS free file partners or other commercial tax software providers. Tax prep may cost more if you have complex income or deductions, but it shouldn't break the bank.
With that in mind, we placed extra emphasis on cost while reviewing this year's best tax software contenders. We also considered user experience, value, and the cost of accessing experts — because getting help shouldn't be a luxury.
Tax software at a glance
We reviewed 10 online tax preparers with an emphasis on their DIY online filing options. Here's how they stack up. You can find out exactly what goes into these ratings at the end of this post.
Tax prep company
Editor's rating (out of 5)
DIY federal return cost
DIY state return cost
Full service tax prep online?
TaxAct Software
4.7
$0 - $94.95
+$39.95 - $54.95
Yes
Tax Software
4.6
$0 - $54.95
+$0 - $39.95
No
Tax Software
4.5
$0 - $87.99
+$0 - $44.99
Yes
Software
4.2
$0 - $119
+$0 - $49
Yes
FreeTax USA Software
4.1
$0
+$14.99
No
1040.com Software
3.9
$25
+$0
No
Software
3.8
$0
+$0
No
Jackson Hewitt Software
3.7
$25
$0
No
Software
3.7
$34.95 - $74.95
+$36.95
No
Software
3.7
$0 - $37.49
+$22.49
No
Learn more about the best tax filing software
Below you'll find our picks for the best tax software and more information about why they were selected.
Best overall: TaxAct Software
Editor's rating: 4.7/5
Cost of DIY online filing: $0 - $94.95 + state return fee
Free version covers: W-2 income; unemployment income; retirement distributions; tuition and fees deduction; earned income tax credit; child tax credit; education credits; stimulus credit
The pros of TaxAct:
Expert help is available with every filing package
Free federal and state filing covers student and child tax credits
Pay less than H&R Block and TurboTax and get a comparable experience
Efficient and streamlined interface
Tax document upload and import for easy data entry
Handy "double check" tool flags common errors
The cons of TaxAct:
State returns aren't free, even when you qualify for free federal filing
Middle-of-the road option when it comes to cost
The bottom line: This year TaxAct Software added free live CPA and tax expert assistance to all of its packages. That's a huge value-add, especially since prices are already lower than the industry heavyweights.
Cost of DIY online filing: $0 - $54.95 + state return fee
Free version covers: For taxable income under $100,000: W-2 income; interest income not exceeding $1,500; student loan interest deduction; education credits
The pros of TaxSlayer:
Strong option for self-employed filers
Low price — comparable self-employed packages at H&R Block and TurboTax are more than 2x the cost
All packages include phone and email support
Self-employed package includes on-demand access to a tax professional
Simple and clean interface
Ability to set up reminders to pay estimated quarterly taxes throughout the year
Filers with any type of tax situation whose AGI was under $39,000 in 2021 can use the IRS Free File program to file a federal return, and maybe a state return, with TaxSlayer at no cost
The cons of TaxSlayer:
Free version advertised on its website does not include earned income tax credit or child tax credit
Interface isn't as intuitive as H&R Block or TurboTax
The bottom line: For experienced self-employed filers looking for a budget pick, Tax Software can't be beat. Its user interface is more function than flair, but it has everything you need to get the job done, including clear instructions, responsive customer support, and an excellent free filing option.
Cost of DIY online filing: $0 - $87.99 + state return fee
Free version covers: W-2 income; unemployment income; retirement distributions; interest and dividend income; tuition and fees deduction; student loan interest deduction; earned income tax credit; child tax credit
The pros of H&R Block:
Seamless data entry when you upload tax documents (PDF or photo of paper document)
Interface is modern and easy to navigate
Instructions are clear and helpful
Company doesn't try to upsell you while preparing a return
Ability to save your spot and return later
Offices in all 50 states where tax professionals can prepare your return in person or virtually
The cons of H&R Block:
Cost
Free version does not include itemized deductions
Free version does not offer on-demand chat or phone support
The bottom line:Tax Software has something for everyone, wrapped in a modern and easy-to-understand package. These aren't the lowest prices you'll find, but the quality of the overall user experience justifies the cost. Whether you're filing online yourself, looking for some expert help, or want to hand it off to a professional, H&R Block will deliver.
Cost of DIY online filing: $0 - $119 + state return fee
Free version covers: W-2 income; unemployment income; retirement distributions; interest and dividend income; earned income tax credit; child tax credit
The pros of TurboTax:
You'll find anything you need if you're willing to pay top dollar
Best for itemizing deductions
Interface is easy to navigate and provides helpful graphic explainers
Ability to save your spot and return later
Quick data entry when you upload tax documents
Seamless data import from QuickBooks, Square, and Uber and Lyft
The cons of TurboTax:
Cost
Free version does not include itemized deductions
Free version does not include deductions for students or student-loan borrowers
Frequent offers to upgrade
The bottom line:Software is ideal for filers who want to itemize personal or business deductions, or have gig economy income. You'll find everything you need, but it won't be cheap. The platform offers unique features, including seamless data import from QuickBooks, Square, and various rideshare platforms.
FreeTax USA Software: Despite its name, state returns cost extra at FreeTaxUSA. To get quicker responses from the customer support team and audit help, it's an additional $6.99. If you're looking to spend the least amount of money possible filing your taxes, this is your best bet — just know that the user interface is lacking.
1040.com Software: Easy to navigate and provides live customer support via chat, but a flat rate of $25 means even people who qualify for free federal filing elsewhere must pay. Worth considering, though, if you only qualify for the highest tier packages at H&R Block or TurboTax.
Software: Formerly known as Credit Karma Tax, this service's strongest selling point is that it's completely free. However, there are no tax experts on call and you can only file through a mobile app.
Jackson Hewitt Software: This platform is simple and easy to use, but offers no access to tax experts. And there's no free version, even for simple tax situations. But if you file with Jackson Hewitt this year, you'll lock in the low $25 federal and state tax prep fee for two more years.
Software: A good budget option, but it doesn't offer on-demand access to experts or quick customer support, and the interface is rudimentary and too busy.
Software: This platform has a starting rate of $34.95 for basic tax returns, which are free elsewhere.
Why trust our recommendations?
At Personal Finance Insider, we strive to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. Filing taxes can seem like a frustrating task for many of us and we want to help make the process easier and more affordable.
But "best" is often subjective — there's no single tax software that will work for everyone. Not only are taxes highly personal, but there isn't one universal user experience. That's why we reviewed 10 of the most popular online tax preparers to identify their top strengths and weaknesses.
How did we choose the best tax software?
We realize that if you're searching for the best tax software, you're probably either willing to spend time filing your own return or you're looking for a more affordable option than hiring a tax professional.
Several of the companies we reviewed offer full-service packages, where you can pay an expert to do your taxes for you. We didn't consider these offerings in our evaluation because they're comparable to hiring a CPA. But taxes can be confusing, and it's valuable to have an expert on hand should you need help.
With that in mind, we considered five factors when reviewing each platform, as outlined below with their corresponding weights. Each of these factors was rated on a five-point scale. We then calculated the weighted average to determine an overall editor's rating.
Cost (30%): Is there a free filing package? How does the cost of the paid packages compare to similar offerings from competitors?
Value (20%): Does the cost justify what you get? Can you get the same features elsewhere for a lower price?
User experience (20%): Is the platform easy to use? Can you seamlessly upload or import documents? Is the guidance clear and non-jargony?
Expert help (20%): Can you chat, email, or call a tax professional when you have questions? Is this feature included with the standard packages or does it cost extra?
Support (10%): Is there an accuracy guarantee or audit support? Is customer service reachable and helpful?
We also considered the breadth of tax forms included in the various packages offered by each company, with an emphasis on what's available at no cost. Finally, we consulted other experts to make sure we weren't missing any major features or drawbacks of any of the services.
Which companies did we review?
We started with a list of online tax preparers included in the IRS Free File Alliance. About 70% of US taxpayers qualify for free tax filing, but many don't realize they do, so we gave preference to companies with a free option that's easy to find and doesn't have income limitations.
However, we also considered several companies not currently on the IRS Free File list.
All of these tax providers offer do-it-yourself online filing services and a few, H&R Block and TurboTax included, also sell downloadable software for your computer, which you can use to fill out your tax return without an internet connection.
Which online tax filing is the best?
According to our research, TaxAct Software has the best online tax filing platform for the 2022 filing season. The ability to file online yourself for a decent price and check in with a tax expert at no extra cost pushes TaxAct above industry heavyweights H&R Block and TurboTax.
However, filers who are able to pay top dollar and have a complicated tax situation may prefer Tax Software or Software. These platforms have valuable features for self-employed filers and small business owners that make data entry quick and simple.
How should I choose a tax software?
If you're overwhelmed ...
If you're easily overwhelmed by taxes, the best tax software is going to be one that does most of the work for you. H&R Block and TurboTax are wildly popular for this reason, but TaxAct and TaxSlayer get the job done for a lower price.
All you have to do is upload the relevant tax forms and answer a few questions along the way to account for deductions and credits. These tax preparers have multiple options for filers with any and every type of income, as well as individualized help from a tax expert (sometimes for an additional fee), if you need it.
If saving money is the most important ...
If your main objective is to save money, check out FreeTax USA Software, which offers free federal returns for every tax situation (state returns are $14.99), or H&R Block's free version, which supports more tax forms than competitors and offers an excellent user experience.
If you don't qualify for a free version, consider Jackson Hewitt Software or 1040.com Software. These companies offer tax filing for a flat fee of $25. If you can afford to pay a bit more and think you may need expert help, TaxSlayer and TaxAct charge a fraction of the price of H&R Block and TurboTax and many still permit document uploads for easy data entry and provide plenty of guidance.
If you care most about a big tax refund ...
If getting a big tax refund is most important to you and you have time to spare, you may want to fill out a tax return with a few different online preparers. Each of the companies on our best tax software list allows you to begin a tax return for free and pay only when you're ready to submit the return (you will need to set up an account, though). Before payment is required, you should be able to see your tax refund amount and cancel any filing application that doesn't give you the biggest refund.
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