TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA (2026)
FreeTaxUSA files any supported federal return for $0 and charges $15.99 for a state; TurboTax charges $203 for federal plus one state once you sell stock or run a business (2025 returns). TurboTax's extra money buys a more guided interview and on-demand experts. On price alone, FreeTaxUSA wins every case except the simplest return.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | TurboTax | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Free federal | Free Edition $0 (simple Form 1040 only) | Federal $0 for all supported situations |
| Free for whom | 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) | Everyone, no income limit; covers self-employment, investments, rentals and itemizing (not foreign earned income, nonresident returns or filers living abroad) |
| Paid federal | Deluxe $79; Premium $139 | Federal $0; optional Deluxe $7.99, Pro Support $64.99, Audit Defense $19.99 |
| Per state | $64 per state on Deluxe and Premium | $15.99 per state |
| Expert help | Expert Assist $59, $129 or $209; Expert Full Service from $129 | Pro Support $64.99 (tax pro by phone, final review); Deluxe $7.99 is live chat with support staff |
| Simple W-2 return + one state | $0 (Free Edition) | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) |
| Stock sales + one state | $203 (Premium) | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) |
| Self-employed + one state | $203 (Premium) | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) |
| IRS Free File | No: Intuit left IRS Free File in 2021 | Yes: free federal and state with AGI of $51,000 or less ($89,000 for active-duty military) |
| Best for | Filers who want the most guided interview and will pay for expert help | Cost-conscious filers with investments, rentals or self-employment income |
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
For a simple W-2 return, TurboTax Free Edition is $0 with the state included, while FreeTaxUSA is $0 federal plus $15.99 for the state. As soon as you add stock sales, rentals or self-employment, TurboTax needs Premium ($139 plus $64 for a state) and FreeTaxUSA still costs $15.99 in total.
Help is where TurboTax spends its price. Expert Assist adds on-demand tax experts and a final review ($59 to $209 depending on the tier), and Full Service starts at $129 with an expert who files for you. FreeTaxUSA sells Deluxe ($7.99: live chat, unlimited amended returns, seven years of storage) and Pro Support ($64.99: a tax pro by phone and a final review).
FreeTaxUSA does not handle foreign earned income (Form 2555), nonresident returns (1040NR) or filers living abroad. It is also an IRS Free File partner: AGI of $51,000 or less (or $89,000 for active-duty military) gets federal and state free. TurboTax is not in Free File.
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
Where FreeTaxUSA wins
- Federal $0 with stock sales, rentals, a business and K-1s, with no income limit
- State returns at $15.99 each, far below the per-state fees on TurboTax or H&R Block paid tiers
- Phone access to a Tax Pro for a $64.99 add-on
- Prior-year federal returns for 2018 to 2024 also $0
Which should you use?
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.
Pick FreeTaxUSA if
- You have stock sales, rentals, a side business or itemized deductions and want to pay $0 for the federal return anyway.
- You are comfortable answering the interview yourself and want help only as an option.
- You need to file a past year from 2018 to 2024: the federal return is still $0.
TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA: FAQ
Is FreeTaxUSA as good as TurboTax?
It handles the same common forms (Schedules C, D and E, K-1s received) for a fraction of the price: $15.99 for federal plus one state against $203 on TurboTax Premium for 2025 returns. TurboTax offers more expert help and a more guided interview.
Does FreeTaxUSA charge for amended returns?
Yes, $16.98 per amended return for 2025, unless you bought Deluxe ($7.99) or Pro Support ($64.99), which include unlimited amended returns.
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.