Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
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 Software4.7$0 – $64.95+$39.95 – $44.95YesTax Software4.6$0 – $59.95+$0 – $39.95NoTax Software4.5$0 – $114.99+$0 – $44.99YesSoftware4.2$0 – $119+$0 – $49YesFreeTax USA Software4.1$0+$14.99No1040.com Software3.9$25+$0NoSoftware4$0+$0NoJackson Hewitt Software3.7$25$0NoSoftware3.7$45.95 – $85.95+$36.95
No
Software3.7$0 – $39+$32No
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 – $64.95 + 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 packageFree federal and state filing covers student and child tax creditsPay less than H&R Block and TurboTax and get a comparable experienceEfficient and streamlined interfaceTax document upload and import for easy data entryHandy “double check” tool flags common errors
The cons of TaxAct:
State returns aren’t free, even when you qualify for free federal filingMiddle-of-the road option when it comes to cost
The bottom line: TaxAct Software has 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.
TaxAct Software
Best budget pick: Tax Software
Editor’s rating: 4.6/5
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 filersLow price — comparable self-employed packages at H&R Block and TurboTax are more than 2x the costAll packages include phone and email supportSelf-employed package includes on-demand access to a tax professionalSimple and clean interfaceAbility to set up reminders to pay estimated quarterly taxes throughout the yearFilers with any type of tax situation who meet AGI limits 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 creditInterface 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.
Tax Slayer
Best free file option: Tax Software
Editor’s rating: 4.5/5
Cost of DIY online filing: $0 – $114.99 + 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 navigateInstructions are clear and helpfulCompany doesn’t try to upsell you while preparing a returnAbility to save your spot and return laterOffices in all 50 states where tax professionals can prepare your return in person or virtually
The cons of H&R Block:
CostFree version does not include itemized deductionsFree 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.
H&R Block Tax Software
Best comprehensive tax software: Software
Editor’s rating: 4.2/5
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 dollarBest for itemizing deductionsInterface is easy to navigate and provides helpful graphic explainersAbility to save your spot and return laterQuick data entry when you upload tax documentsSeamless data import from QuickBooks, Square, and Uber and Lyft
The cons of TurboTax:
CostFree version does not include itemized deductionsFree version does not include deductions for students or student-loan borrowersFrequent 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.
TurboTax Tax Software
Other tax software we considered
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 $7.99. 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 have to download a mobile app before you can prepare your return on a desktop computer.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.
Here’s a full list of the companies we reviewed:
Tax SoftwareSoftwareJackson Hewitt SoftwareTax SoftwareFreeTax USA SoftwareSoftwareTaxAct SoftwareSoftware1040.com SoftwareSoftware
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.