Updated
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Our deadline to file taxes comes at the same time every year, and yet some of us act surprised, as though it snuck up on us. It's then that there is a flurry of activity. There are documents to organize and decisions to be made. One of those decisions is which tax preparation software we're going to use. Do we want to stick with the same one we used last year or switch to something new? We've combed through services available to come up with five of the best tax software options available. Here's what we found.
TurboTax
Best for: Best overall
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 from March 1 onward, 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.
H&R Block
Best for: Customer service
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
- More expensive than other tax software on the market this tax season
- 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.
TaxSlayer
Best for: Free filers
TaxSlayer offers a more affordable option than the bigger names, but with many of the same features.
- Truly free filing 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.
Jackson Hewitt
Best for: Flat pricing
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 their 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.
TaxAct
Best for: Free expert assistance
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.
Do I need tax software?
Whether you need tax software depends on how comfortable you are filing a state or federal return on your own. Whether your return is simple or complex, there's a tax prep software that will guide you through the process, and hopefully, leave you with more money in your bank account. Some of the best tax preparation services even give you access to a tax pro to help with any confusing steps.
Tax software is designed to walk you through the process of preparing and filing your income tax returns. Top-notch tax preparation software is a combination of a guide, calculator, and deduction reminder all in one. Rather than sit down with tax forms and a pen, the best tax preparation software automates the taxation process and lets you follow along with the program. In addition to being faster than the old way of filing taxes, software checks and double checks your numbers to make sure you've got the math just right. It also files your taxes based on the most up-to-date tax laws.
And because it takes you step by step through the process, you're less likely to forget about deductions that you're eligible to claim. These programs also walk you through more complex issues, like the Child Tax Credit. Finally, tax software may eliminate the need to hire a CPA or other tax professional, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.
Features of the best tax software
The best tax software includes:
- A version that matches your specific tax situation
- An easy-to-use interface
- A free tax software edition for those who qualify
- Free file fillable forms
- Guarantee of accuracy
- Audit support
- Access to a tax pro through online assist
Read more: Investing and Taxes: What Beginners Need to Know
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 your comfort level, how complex your returns are, and what sort of customer support and tax help you need. The five on our list are all standouts for price and support and are a good place to start your search.
| Offer | Best For | Pricing | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
TurboTax
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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-$409 | State: $0-$64 |
|
H&R Block
Rating image, 4.60 out of 5 stars.
4.60/5
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-$54.99 | State: $0-$44.99 |
|
TaxSlayer
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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-$37.95 | State: $0-$36.95 |
|
Jackson Hewitt
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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 |
|
TaxAct
Rating image, 4.30 out of 5 stars.
4.30/5
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-$34.95 | State: $34.95-$44.95 |
Our Taxes Experts
Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
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