Best Tax Software
A side-by-side look at six tax software products, with prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season) checked on each company's site. The right pick depends on your return: for a simple W-2 return several file federal and state for $0, while for stock sales or a business the cost of federal plus one state runs from $0 to $203.
Last updated: October 19, 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 $0 for all supported situations | Federal $0; optional Deluxe $7.99, Pro Support $64.99, Audit Defense $19.99 | $15.99 per state | Pro Support $64.99 (tax pro by phone, final review); Deluxe $7.99 is live chat with support staff |
| Cash App TaxesBlock, Inc.Free fed + state | Federal $0 | No paid tiers | $0 for one state (40 states + DC; not Montana) | No paid expert tier (Cash App Taxes sells no add-ons) |
| TurboTaxIntuitFree fed + state | Free Edition $0 (simple Form 1040 only) | Deluxe $79; Premium $139 | $64 per state on Deluxe and Premium | Expert Assist $59, $129 or $209; Expert Full Service from $129 |
| H&R BlockH&R BlockFree fed + state | Free Online $0 | Deluxe $65; Premium $105; Self-Employed $130 | $49 per state on paid tiers | Tax Pro Review add-on ($75 to $225 with the tier); Assisted filing from $99 in office or virtual |
| TaxSlayerTaxSlayer LLC | Simply Free $0 (state included) | Classic $44.99; Premium $64.99; Self-Employed $74.99 | State additional (price shown at checkout; $47.99 on archived Apr-Jul 2026 pages) | Ask a Tax Pro on Premium and Self-Employed |
| TaxActTaxAct, LLC (a Taxwell company) | Free $0 (Form 1040 only) | Deluxe $59.99; Premier $99.99; Self-Employed $109.99 | $54.99 on Free; $64.99 per state on paid tiers | Xpert Assist add-on (TaxAct lists $45, $54 and $60 on different pages); Xpert Full Service $99 to $219 + $69 state |
No products match those filters.
What a typical return costs
| Product | Simple W-2 return | Stock sales | Self-employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeTaxUSA | $15.99 | $15.99 | $15.99 |
| Cash App Taxes | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TaxSlayer | $0 | $44.99 + state | $44.99 + state |
| TaxAct | $54.99 | $164.98 | $174.98 |
| H&R Block | $0 | $154 | $179 |
| TurboTax | $0 | $203 | $203 |
Federal plus one state on the cheapest do-it-yourself tier that handles each case, for 2025 returns, read on each company's site on October 19, 2026; our arithmetic, before add-ons. TaxSlayer's paid tiers add a state fee shown at checkout. TaxSlayer Simply Free requires no dependents; Cash App Taxes supports one state and certain forms only. Prices for 2026 returns had not been published yet.
How to choose tax software
- Want to file completely free? Cash App Taxes is $0 for federal and one state (Cash App account required; no multi-state or prior-year returns). For a simple return, TurboTax Free Edition, H&R Block Free Online and TaxSlayer Simply Free include a state for $0, but each has its own eligibility list.
- Have a complex return but hate the price? FreeTaxUSA files federal returns with self-employment, investments and rentals for $0 and charges $15.99 per state (it does not handle foreign earned income or nonresident returns). See is FreeTaxUSA legit?
- Want a person to help or do it for you? TurboTax sells Expert Assist ($59 to $209) and Full Service from $129. H&R Block charges less on its paid tiers and adds Tax Pro Review and offices.
- Want every form at one price? TaxSlayer Classic ($44.99 federal) covers all forms. TaxAct prices sit below TurboTax and H&R Block on most tiers, but its state return is never free on the regular tiers.
- Low income? FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct and TaxSlayer are among the eight IRS Free File partners for 2025 returns (adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less, plus each company's own rules). IRS Direct File was not offered in 2026, according to a Treasury report to Congress.
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: TaxSlayer Classic was $22.99 in January 2026 and $44.99 from April, and TurboTax labels its April to October prices "late-season pricing", so a quote today may not be what you pay in February. 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.