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According to a report from the National Society of Accountants, the average cost to have a professional preparer complete your taxes ranges from $176 to $273, depending on whether or not you itemize your deductions. Doing your taxes yourself online, on the other hand, can be much cheaper. In fact, it may even be free.
Tax software helps you complete and file your taxes online in a very easy and intuitive way. You can use software for simple tax returns as well as complex returns with multiple forms. Here’s a look at the best tax software available today for you to do your own taxes. We considered 13 tax software packages with a focus on price, accuracy, and ease of use before choosing the best options.
Best Tax Software of 2023
- Best Overall: H&R Block Online
- Best for Ease of Filing: TurboTax
- Best Value: TaxSlayer
- Best for Small Businesses: TaxAct
Best Overall : H&R Block Online
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H&R Block
- Plan Prices: Free; $55; $75; $115
- State Pricing: $49
- Key Features: Covers wide range of tax forms and situations
H&R Block Online covers most common taxpayer needs and many less-common scenarios, too. Users can reach a human tax professional for help during tax preparation for an added fee. Pricing is comparable with those of industry competitors, and the user experience is a good one, making it our pick for the best overall tax software.
Coverage for a long list of tax forms and situations
Multiple options to upgrade for additional help
Helpful features including the option to upload W-2 forms from your phone without downloading an extra app
High filing cost per state ($49)
Add-on products increase tax prep costs
High added cost for multiple states
H&R Block Online does a good job of covering nearly all tax situations U.S. filers are likely to come across—and it does it for a reasonable price. Approximately 20.5 million people used H&R Block to file their taxes in 2022.
H&R Block offers four versions of its online tax filing software. Those include a free online version for basic taxes as well as versions that cost $55, $75, or $115, though they may be available with a discount. These higher-priced versions are for added tax filing needs such as itemized deductions, investments, freelance earnings, or self-employment. State filings cost up to $49 extra per state. You don’t pay until you file, so you can try it out and see your actual results before buying.
H&R Block offers the ability to reach a human for help at any time during your tax preparation process. This does require an added fee, but that could be worth it for some filers with complex taxes or those who just want a little extra help from a tax professional during the online tax prep process. If you want to get in-person support, you can upgrade and take your taxes to an H&R Block location.
This online tax software comes with a 100% accuracy and maximum refund guarantee. The software makes this simple by allowing you to upload your W-2 using a picture from your phone without even downloading the mobile app. You can also import or upload other forms such as 1099s. You can use one H&R Block login while working on your return among different devices. Every step of filing your taxes is an overall positive experience with H&R Block.
Free | Deluxe | Premium | Self-Employed |
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$0 for federal and state | $55 + $49 per state | $75 + $49 per state | $115 + $49 per state |
Works for simple and common tax needs. Plus, support for EITC, education costs, student loans, and retirement income | Everything in Free plus support for HSA accounts, homeowners, and contract or freelance income | Everything in Deluxe plus investment income, rental property income | Everything in Premium plus support for all business deductions and asset depreciation |
$70 for Online Assist version with tax support | $115 for Online Assist version with tax support | $165 for Online Assist version with tax support | $195 for Online Assist version with tax support |
No live phone or chat tech support |
Best for Ease of Filing : TurboTax
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- Plan Prices: Free; $69; $99; $129
- State Pricing: $59
- Key Features: User-friendly online interface
TurboTax has an easy-to-navigate interface that makes filing your taxes quick and simple. It's an intuitive online experience on both mobile and desktop that covers most tax filer needs, making it the best for ease of filing.
Easy-to-navigate online interface
Excellent mobile tax filing experience
Newer option to upgrade for additional support
Limited customer service unless you pay extra
Some versions more expensive than competing tax programs
TurboTax is the largest tax prep software provider in the United States. TurboTax is made by Intuit, a large financial software company that also makes Mint, the personal finance app, as well as the accounting software platform QuickBooks.
TurboTax Online has four versions available. Costs for the service run from $0, $69, $99, or $129 depending on the complexities of your tax return (with discounts frequently available). Filing a state return costs $59 per state. Depending on when you buy, you may get a discounted price.
TurboTax Live gives you the added help of a certified tax expert. Of course, these packages cost more. When you sign up for TurboTax Live, you get on-demand access to a tax expert. This could be worth the added cost for those with more complicated situations or questions.
The standout features of TurboTax, when compared to the competition, come down to the refined interfaces and tax form upload options. For example, you can import W-2 and 1099 information from many employers and financial institutions without entering the forms manually.
TurboTax includes a 100% accuracy and maximum refund guarantee. It includes free audit guidance and a 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Free Edition | Deluxe | Premier | Self-Employed |
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Free for eligible filers | $69 + $59 per state | $99 + $59 per state | $129 + $59 per state |
Includes W-2, unemployment, EITC, and child tax credits | Everything in Free Plus includes tax breaks for homeowners, charitable donations, and many more deductions and credits | Everything in Deluxe plus investments, rental properties, and cryptocurrencies | Everything in Premier plus freelance, contractor, and small business income |
Higher cost for live and full-service options | Higher cost for live and full-service options | Higher cost for live and full-service options | Higher cost for live and full-service options |
Best Value : TaxSlayer
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Tax Slayer
- Plan Prices: Free, $34.95; $54.95; $64.95
- State Pricing: $39.95
- Key Features: Free for active military
TaxSlayer comes with an impressive list of supported tax scenarios at a lower price than those of top competitors.
Lower pricing than market-leading competitors
High customer reviews
Free filing for active military
Limited option for additional tax support
Limited customer support compared to larger competitors
TaxSlayer is a smaller tax preparation software that’s managed by a family-owned company in Augusta, Georgia. Though TaxSlayer is lesser known than some of its larger competitors, it comes with a similar accuracy guarantee.
There are four online versions of TaxSlayer available, which you can access through the web or the TaxSlayer mobile app. Keep in mind that there is no downloadable desktop version. The free version is for the most basic returns and includes one free state filing. Paid versions are available for $34.95, $54.95, or $64.95 depending on your needs. Each state return is an additional $39.95. TaxSlayer offers all versions to active military families for free.
One place where TaxSlayer falls short is support. In fact, there is no option to upgrade for help from a tax professional during your tax preparation unless you pick the most expensive version. All versions do, however, include free phone and email technical support, though this isn't likely to be of help if you have a question about a form or the return itself. It does offer Ask a TaxPro and Audit Defense features as well, but it doesn't go as far as the live assistance packages offered by other companies.
Though support options are a bit light, the software is highly rated by users. With a lower price than those of its larger competitors, it's a great option for those on a budget.
Classic | Premium | Self-Employed |
---|---|---|
$34.95 plus $39.95 per state | $54.95 plus $39.95 per state | $64.95 plus $39.95 per state |
Works for simple returns that can be filed using the Basic 1040 form | Includes live chat help feature plus phone and email access to a tax pro | Additional guidance for self-employed business owners, contractors, and others with 1099 income |
Best for Small Businesses : TaxAct
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TaxAct
- Plan Prices: Free; $50.95; $74.95; $99.95
- State Pricing: $39.95; $54.95
- Key Features: Small business forms like 1120-S fileable completely online
TaxAct is our pick as the best for small businesses because it covers the majority of small business tax filing needs. It is also the only place you can prepare taxes for an S corporation completely online.
Ability to complete business forms like 1120 and 1120S completely online
Lower cost than that of major competing business tax software packages
Year-round tools to help business owners save on taxes
No included audit support or ability to add on after checkout
Lower levels of customer support
TaxAct is another popular tax preparation software that offers the ability to prepare your personal or small business taxes online or with a downloadable app. The TaxAct Express mobile app acts as a companion to the desktop version, which allows you to manage your tax preparation or add forms and documents to more complex tax returns. TaxAct is owned by Texas-based company Blucora. Over 90 million returns have been completed using TaxAct since 1998.
TaxAct offers four consumer versions, but small business owners will want to explore the Self-Employed version, which costs $99.95 for personal taxes. States are an additional $54.95 each. If your business has to file its own taxes, business versions cost $124.95 plus $54.95 per state.
TaxAct does a good job of handling most business and personal tax prep needs. One unique feature is the option to file taxes for your S corporation with Form 1120-S completely online. Top competitors like TurboTax only offer this as a more expensive download and only for Windows users, leaving Mac users out of luck. TaxAct also allows you to file C-corp taxes with Form 1120, making it suitable for any business situation.
TaxAct doesn’t offer an option to upgrade to get added support from a tax professional. So if you run into something so complex that you don’t know how to handle it yourself, you may ultimately have to move your filing to a professional preparer. But after looking at the accuracy and satisfaction guarantees, most businesses should feel confident that TaxAct can handle their needs.
Free | Deluxe | Premier | Self Employed |
---|---|---|---|
$0 for federal plus $39.95 per state | $50.95 plus $54.95 per state | $74.95 plus $54.95 per state | $99.95 plus $54.95 per state |
Supports W-2, retirement, and unemployment income | Everything in Free plus itemized deductions, child and dependent care, student loan interest, homeowner taxes, and HSAs | Everything in Deluxe plus investments, home sales, rental properties, royalty and K-1 income, and foreign financial accounts | Everything in Premier plus freelance, business, and farm income |
Child Tax Credit, EITC, Stimulus Credit, student expenses |
Final Verdict
Tax software is designed to help you process and file your tax returns on your own. With simple, interview-style questions and easy-to-follow guides, the software demystifies complex tax returns. It will tell you how to take certain deductions and trigger reminders for things you might otherwise forget to include, such as charitable deductions. Our best overall pick is H&R Block because of its reasonable pricing with software packages that cover almost every type of tax return in a clear, concise fashion.
Compare the Best Tax Software Providers
Company | Plan Prices | State Pricing | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|
H&R Block Best Overall | Free; $55; $75; $115 | $49 | Covers wide range of tax forms and situations |
TurboTax Best for Ease of Filing | Free; $69; $99; $129 | $59 | User-friendly online interface |
TaxSlayer Best Value | Free, $34.95; $54.95; $64.95 | $39.95 | Free for active military |
TaxAct Best for Small Businesses | Free; $50.95; $74.95; $99.95 | $39.95; $54.95 | Small business forms like 1120-S fileable completely online |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is Tax Software?
Tax software is a type of digital application designed to help you complete your legally required annual tax filings. For most people, that means completing a version of Form 1040 with supporting documentation.
Some of the better tax apps allow you to import prior year returns, data from your employer, and other tax form details from a photo, PDF file, or digital link to your employer or financial institution. When you’re done filing your taxes through the software, you can generally choose between filing your taxes online or printing and mailing them.
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What Factors Should I Consider When Selecting Tax Software?
As long as the software you choose can handle all of your individual or business tax filing needs, you can focus on choosing a tax preparation app that meets your criteria for both cost and user interface. Ease of use isn’t as important for filers with just one or two forms to enter, but as your taxes grow in complexity, the ability to quickly navigate forms and have questions answered is important.
Depending on your level of confidence in doing your taxes, you may also want a program with extensive support. Some tax apps offer you a library of resources so you can figure things out on your own while others have included or paid services to answer your specific tax questions.
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What Is the Cost of Tax Software?
Tax software can range in cost from free to around $200, depending on the software you choose and your specific needs.
Most major tax apps offer a free version to lower-income filers or those who meet specific income or other eligibility criteria. Most filers will likely find their cost around $40 to $100 for federal taxes and another $40 to $50 for each state. However, those who are self-employed or with more complex returns could wind up paying more, depending on the software you choose.
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Should I Pay Someone To Do My Taxes?
Hiring a professional preparer can be beneficial for any future audits or follow-ups that come from a tax return they prepared, but it can also be expensive. If you hire an accountant to do your taxes and don’t itemize your tax return, the National Association of Accountants report says you’ll pay an average of $176 for your annual tax filing.
While it will take more time and effort on your part, if you are filing simpler, individual taxes, using tax software is likely a more cost-effective option. However, if your taxes are more complex, hiring a preparer may be worth the cost.
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What Software Do Tax Preparers Use?
Tax preparers often look for software with more advanced features. While there is no data on the single most popular tax software for preparers, Intuit's ProSeries is a popular choice.
Methodology
We looked at 13 tax software programs to come up with the best tax software options for various scenarios. This review of the best tax software options was based on several key factors. Cost, additional support options, and ease of use were the biggest factors evaluated. Plus, every tax software included in this list comes with an accuracy guarantee, so you should end up with the same results no matter how you decide to file.
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