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Best Tax Software: Our Top 5 Picks

Updated
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As tax time approaches, your thoughts may turn to how you want to prepare your annual return. You can hand the job off to your accountant or CPA, pay a professional tax preparer, or tackle the job yourself using tax software. If the latter is most to your liking, this list is for you. Here, we'll tell you about our favorite tax prep programs and help you determine which best fits your needs.

Best tax preparation software

Ratings Methodology

TurboTax

Best for: Best overall

Learn More for TurboTax
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Pricing

Federal: $0-$219 | State: $0-$69

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TurboTax provides the easiest-to-follow interface we've tried.

  • Expert, on-demand assistance available
  • Easy to follow prompts
  • Thriving user forum
  • Free version available
  • One of the most expensive tax software options
  • Extra fees for upgrades, like live assistance

While it's the most expensive tax prep software we looked at, TurboTax is worth the price. Users complete their taxes by answering a series of prompts, making the entire process feel more like an interview than tax prep. There are four versions of software to choose from, based on how complex your taxes are. Filing earlier can save you money; prices for all services rise starting March 1, with some services getting an additional price hike after March 31.

Here's how the prices break down for the 2023 tax year:

  • Do-it-yourself: Free to $129 for federal, and free to $59 for state.
  • With help from an on-demand tax expert: $99 to $219 for federal, and $54 to $64 for state.
  • Done by a professional: $219 to $409 for federal, and $54 to $64 for state.

TaxSlayer

Best for: Free filers

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Pricing

Federal: $0-$67.95 | State: $0-$44.95

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TaxSlayer offers a more affordable option than the bigger names, but with many of the same features.

  • Truly free filing (federal and state) for simple returns
  • Affordable pricing
  • Taxes are accessible on any device
  • Access to tax pros is limited to certain plans
  • No option to pay a tax professional to file your taxes

TaxSlayer software is not quite as intuitive as TurboTax or H&R Block, but for someone who is comfortable preparing their own taxes, it's easy enough to use. It's also a more affordable version of software than TurboTax or H&R Block, with prices ranging from free to $47.95 for federal returns, and free to $39.95 for state returns.

Like the big players in tax software, TaxSlayer depends on a Q&A format that makes it easy to follow along. It's also one of the few companies we compared that offers email support.

TaxAct

Best for: Free expert assistance

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Pricing

Federal: $0-$69.99 | State: $39.99

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Xpert Assist alone makes TaxAct more than worth the price of the software.

  • Free live help from tax professionals on every plan
  • Streamlined interface
  • $100K Accuracy Guarantee
  • Free plan is more limited than some competitors
  • Could be expensive for those filing multiple state returns

TaxAct offers software from free to $64.95 for federal, and $39.95 to $44.95 for state returns. What sets the company apart is that its Xpert Assist is free to all users. Xpert Assist gives taxpayers unlimited access to CPAs and other tax experts. They'll offer advice, walk a user through complex issues, and even look over taxes before the user files.

H&R Block

Best for: Customer service

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Pricing

Federal: $0-$55 | State: $0

H&R Block is one of the most recognizable names in tax preparation, and their software reflects years of experience gathering the information they need to file a person's taxes.

  • Upfront, transparent pricing
  • Expert, on-demand help available
  • Easy-to-follow directions
  • Excellent customer service and 12,000 locations worldwide
  • Free version is loaded with capabilities
  • HR Block Guarantees such as maximum refund, 100% satisfaction, audit support, and more
  • Only the simplest tax returns qualify for $0 tax filing; many people might need Deluxe, which starts at $55
  • Processing fee when services are paid for from refund

H&R Block software also takes the Q&A approach to tax preparation, walking users through a series of questions, from basic to complex. For taxpayers who may have questions about their taxes, the software provides understandable explanations in an easy-to-read format. The company says their tax experts have an average of 10 years of experience, making them a valuable source of information.

Here's what H&R Block charges:

  • Do-it-yourself: Free to $79.95 for federal returns, and free to $39.95 for state returns. Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed state returns are included in the price of the federal return.
  • With tax expert services over video or live chat: Ranges from $40 to $145.
  • Through a tax professional: Federal returns start at $85 (depending on the complexity of the return). There's an additional charge for state returns.

Jackson Hewitt

Best for: Flat pricing

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Pricing

Federal: $25 | State: $0

There are no surprises with Jackson Hewitt pricing. Each customer can expect to pay $25 for software, regardless of the complexity of their return.

  • Up-front, transparent pricing of $25, including federal and state returns
  • Handy document checklist
  • Live-chat customer support
  • The program can be a little confusing
  • Users can't import information from last year to save time
  • No free edition available, even for simple returns
  • Only one software option, although the one package supports all tax situations

Jackson Hewitt is the second-largest tax prep service in the U.S., with more than 6,000 offices. We're including its tax preparation software for its simple user interface and low price. Jackson Hewitt software costs $25 and covers both a federal and state return. The downside is that Jackson Hewitt does not offer a free package, no matter how simple the return is.

Still, for someone who needs to pay to have taxes prepared anyway, Jackson Hewitt offers a much less expensive option than others in the field.

Compare the top tax software companies

Offer Best For Pricing Next Steps
TurboTax
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Most robust tax prep provider

Federal: $0-$219 | State: $0-$69
Learn More for TurboTax
TaxSlayer
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Competitive pricing

Federal: $0-$67.95 | State: $0-$44.95
Learn More for TaxSlayer
TaxAct
Rating image, 4.30 out of 5 stars.
4.30/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Simple returns

Federal: $0-$69.99 | State: $39.99
Learn More for TaxAct
H&R Block
Rating image, 4.60 out of 5 stars.
4.60/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Online and in-person tax prep

Federal: $0-$55 | State: $0
Read Review
Jackson Hewitt
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Free expert assistance

Federal: $25 | State: $0
Read Review

Do I need tax software? 

Before investing in tax prep software, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Are my returns generally simple or complex?
  • If they're complex, am I comfortable filing my state and federal returns independently?
  • Will using tax software that walks me through the entire return make me feel more confident?
  • Am I interested in tax software that allows me to contact live help if I get stuck?
  • Do I usually forget to claim a deduction or two and need a program to remind me when a deduction is available?
  • How important is it to me that the software (or person) preparing my taxes file them based on up-to-date tax law?

Features of the best tax software 

The best tax software:

  • Is a combination of guide, calculator, and deduction reminder all in one
  • Matches your specific tax situation
  • Has an easy-to-use interface
  • Offers a free tax software edition for those who qualify
  • Has free file fillable forms
  • Guarantees accuracy
  • Provides audit support
  • Gives you access to a tax pro through online assistance

Comparing pricing for the best tax software providers 

No one wants to spend a lot on tax prep software. Here's how the prices of our five favorites break down.

Provider Basic Version Deluxe Version Premier Version Self-Employed Version
TurboTax Free - $129 $99 - $219 $219 - $409 $129 - $409
H&R Block Free - $19.95 $44.95 $64.95 $79.95
TaxSlayer Free $19.95 $39.95 $49.95
Jackson Hewitt $25 $25 $25 $25
TaxAct Free $24.95 $34.95 $64.95
Data sources: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer, Jackson Hewitt, and TaxAct

What support options are available? 

While price is an important consideration, customer support can make or break the tax filing experience. Here are the support options for our five top picks in tax prep software.

Provider Phone Support Email Support Help Forums Online Chat In-Person Branches Access to Tax Pros
Turbo Tax Yes X Yes Yes X Yes
H&R Block Yes X X Yes Yes Yes
TaxSlayer Yes Yes X Yes X Yes
Jackson Hewitt Yes X X Yes Yes Yes
TaxAct Yes Yes X Yes X Yes
Data sources: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer, Jackson Hewitt, and TaxAct

The best place to file taxes online for you will likely depend on three factors: your comfort level, the complexity of your returns, and the amount of customer support and tax help you need. The tax software on our list are standouts for price and support and an excellent place to begin your search.