Cash App Taxes vs TurboTax (2026)
Cash App Taxes charges $0 for federal and one state even with stock sales or a business, where TurboTax Premium costs $203 with one state (2025 returns). TurboTax supports multiple states, prior-year returns and expert help. If your return fits Cash App Taxes' limits, it is the cheaper choice by a wide margin.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | Cash App Taxes | TurboTax |
|---|---|---|
| Free federal | Federal $0 | Free Edition $0 (simple Form 1040 only) |
| Free for whom | Filers with a Cash App account and an SSN, in a supported state, without unsupported forms (no multi-state, part-year, nonresident, foreign income or prior-year returns) | Simple Form 1040 returns: W-2, EITC, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest, Schedule 1-A; Intuit says about 37% of taxpayers qualify (no unemployment, itemizing, stock sales or business income) |
| Paid federal | No paid tiers | Deluxe $79; Premium $139 |
| Per state | $0 for one state (40 states + DC; not Montana) | $64 per state on Deluxe and Premium |
| Expert help | No paid expert tier (Cash App Taxes sells no add-ons) | Expert Assist $59, $129 or $209; Expert Full Service from $129 |
| Simple W-2 return + one state | $0 (Cash App Taxes) | $0 (Free Edition) |
| Stock sales + one state | $0 (Cash App Taxes) | $203 (Premium) |
| Self-employed + one state | $0 (Cash App Taxes) | $203 (Premium) |
| IRS Free File | Not an IRS Free File partner for tax year 2025 | No: Intuit left IRS Free File in 2021 |
| Best for | Single-state filers who already use Cash App and have no unsupported forms | Filers who want the most guided interview and will pay for expert help |
Prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season), read on each company's site on October 19, 2026; prices for 2026 returns had not been published yet. Totals are our arithmetic for federal plus one state on the cheapest tier that handles each case, before add-ons.
Key differences
Both are free for a simple return with one state. For stock sales, rentals or self-employment, TurboTax needs Premium ($139 plus $64 for a state); Cash App Taxes stays at $0, including Schedules C, D and E.
Cash App Taxes has hard limits: one state only (40 states plus DC, not Montana), no part-year or nonresident returns, no prior-year returns, no foreign earned income, a Cash App account and an SSN required. TurboTax handles multiple states and sells expert help ($59 to $209) and Full Service from $129.
Neither is an IRS Free File partner for 2025 returns. TurboTax's free tier covers simple Form 1040 returns only (about 37% of taxpayers, by Intuit's count).
Where Cash App Taxes wins
- Federal and one state return for $0, including Schedules C, D and E
- No upgrades, add-ons or pay-with-refund fee to watch for at checkout
- Free audit defense through Tax Protection Plus
- Imports last year's PDF from TurboTax, H&R Block or TaxAct
Where TurboTax wins
- Free Edition includes the state return at $0
- Expert Assist and Full Service from the same account, with a final expert review
- Premium handles over 10,000 stock and 20,000 crypto transactions
- Online amending of 2025 returns stays open through October 31, 2028 on paid tiers
Which should you use?
Pick Cash App Taxes if
- You have a Cash App account, file in one supported state and want to pay $0 for federal and state.
- You have stock sales, a side business or a rental and still want both returns free.
- You want to do the whole return on your phone.
Pick TurboTax if
- You want the most step-by-step interview and do not mind paying for it.
- You may want a tax expert to answer questions or review the return before it is filed, from the same account.
- Your return is simple enough for Free Edition, which includes the state return at $0.
Cash App Taxes vs TurboTax: FAQ
Is Cash App Taxes better than TurboTax?
It is cheaper: $0 for federal and one state on returns TurboTax charges $203 for (2025 returns). TurboTax covers more situations (multiple states, prior years) and sells expert help.
Does Cash App Taxes handle self-employment?
Yes. It supports Schedule C and Schedule SE at no cost.
Compare these against every option in our tax software comparison.
We summarize each product's published pricing and features, not user reviews. Facts come from our full reviews of both products, each checked against the company's own pages on October 19, 2026 with every source listed. Tax-software prices change through the season. We do not earn commissions from these companies. Nothing here is tax advice.