Wealthy PotBest Tax Software
A side-by-side look at the best tax software for the 2026 filing season. The right pick depends on your return: two options file federal and state free, one files any complexity free, and the premium names charge more for a smoother experience and expert help.
Last updated: September 2026
Most filers overpay for tax software. The table below compares 6 products on what actually matters: the free tier and who qualifies, the federal price of paid editions, the per-state fee (often overlooked), and whether expert help is available. Prices change through the filing season (the figures here are late-season TY2025 rates; new-season pricing often opens lower, then climbs by April); confirm the current price on the official site before filing. Nothing here is tax advice.
Compare tax software
| Product | Free federal | Paid federal | Per state | Expert help |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeTaxUSATaxHawk, Inc.Complex free | Federal always $0 — any complexity | Federal free; Deluxe add-on $7.99; Pro Support $64.99 | $15.99 per state | Deluxe $7.99 (priority support); Pro Support $64.99 (tax-pro help) |
| Cash App TaxesBlock, Inc.Free fed + state | Federal $0 | Free — federal and state $0 | $0 (40 states + DC; one state only, no multi-state/part-year/nonresident) | No live expert help |
| TurboTaxIntuit | Free Edition $0 (simple Form 1040 only) | Deluxe $79; Premium $139 | State additional (shown at checkout) | Expert Assist $59–$209; Full Service from $129 |
| H&R BlockH&R BlockFree fed + state | Free Online $0 | Deluxe $65; Premium $105; Self-Employed $130 | $49 per state (paid tiers) | Unlimited expert help + AI Tax Assist included on paid tiers; Tax Pro Review add-on |
| TaxSlayerTaxSlayer LLC | Simply Free $0 | Classic $44.99; Premium $64.99; Self-Employed $74.99 | State additional (shown at checkout) | Ask a Tax Pro (Premium & Self-Employed) |
| TaxActTaxAct, Inc. | Free $0 (simple returns) | Deluxe $59.99; Premier $99.99; Self-Employed $109.99 | $64.99 per state (paid tiers) | Xpert Assist from $45; Full Service from $99 |
No products match those filters.
How to choose tax software
- Want to file completely free? Cash App Taxes is $0 federal AND state (one state, app required). For a simple return, TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxSlayer also have $0 free tiers, but check whether your forms qualify.
- Have a complex return but hate the price? FreeTaxUSA files any federal return free (self-employed, investments, rental), charging only a small per-state fee, see is FreeTaxUSA legit?
- Want the smoothest experience or easy expert help? TurboTax leads, at a premium. H&R Block is the value alternative with physical offices.
- Want the lowest all-in price for a real-world return? TaxSlayer Classic covers all forms at one flat price; TaxAct is a mid-tier middle ground.
See our roundup of the best free tax software for the no-cost options head to head. After filing, understand your bracket with the 2026 tax brackets guide.
Popular comparisons
Deciding between two specific products? These go deeper:
Watch the two hidden costs
Two things push your final bill above the advertised price. First, per-state fees: several products advertise a low (or free) federal price but charge $15–$65 per state, which stacks if you file in multiple states. Second, prices that move through the season: rates change as the year progresses (they often open lower at a new season’s launch and climb toward April), so a quote today may not be what you pay in March. Always confirm the all-in federal + state total before you start.
How we compare
We track each product’s free tier and eligibility, paid-edition federal prices, per-state fees, and expert-help options, and summarize the trade-offs rather than reprinting marketing copy. Tax-software prices are promotional and change through the season; figures are dated and re-checked against each product’s official page. Some links may be affiliate links; that never changes which products we include or how we rank them. Nothing here is tax advice.