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5 Best Tax Software for 2025

The 2025 tax season is underway, and most have until April 15 to file.

Don’t want to hire a pricey tax preparer? Want to do your taxes at home? Tax software might be right up your alley.

Tax software can help prepare and file tax returns on your phone or computer. Many are similar to questionnaires, guiding you through the process, and only require you to complete forms that are relevant to your situation. Tax software can help you find deductions and credits, let you upload documents for easy filing and then calculate your tax refund or tax bill based on your answers. And most offer a maximum refund and accuracy guarantee.

We’ve compared over a dozen tax software options, and here are the best ones for 2025.

Best overall

FreeTaxUSA

Go to site Read review
Federal starting price$0
State returns starting price$14.99
Free options available?Yes

Best for simple returns

TaxSlayer

Go to site
Federal starting price$22.95
State returns starting price$39.95
Free options available?No

Best for filing on mobile

Intuit TurboTax

Go to site Read review
Federal starting price$89
State returns starting price$39
Free options available?Yes

Best for business owners

Keeper

Go to site Read review
Federal starting price$99
State returns starting priceIncluded
Free options available?No

Best for downloading software

H&R Block

Go to site Read review
Federal starting price$35
State returns starting price$37
Free options available?Yes

Methodology: How we chose the best online tax software

Finder’s banking experts researched over 20 tax software to find the top options for free personal filings, complicated returns and businesses. When choosing the best accounts, we consider the following factors:

  • Guarantees offered
  • Federal and state pricing
  • Transparent pricing heavily favored
  • Unique features, such as software integration
  • Audit support
  • IRS partners heavily favored

We know that having access to all the deductions and tax credits you qualify for is important, especially since they can lower the taxable income in your highest income tax bracket. However, we didn’t make it a deal breaker when comparing tax software since every person’s tax situation is different.

How to choose a tax software

Here are some major factors to consider when narrowing down the best tax software for your situation:

  • Cost. Some tax software programs are sneaky and will let you start with the free version, then bump you up to a paid tier as you go. Read the details for each tier so you know how much you’ll pay for your situation.
  • Ease of use. Choose a tax program that’s easy to understand so you can make sure you’re filling out everything correctly. If an interface looks clunky or confusing, it may only add to your frustration.
  • Customer support. Some tax software programs come with live support by chat or phone, while others are limited to email support only. For example, FreeTaxUSA only offers phone support with the Deluxe Support add-on or the Pro Support plan option.
  • Compatibility. Consider how you want to access the platform: mobile, desktop or web browser. Some tax software is only available using one method.
  • Integration. Some business tax software doesn’t integrate with any accounting and business programs, while others, like H&R Block or TurboTax, do.

What documents do I need to get started?

You don’t need any information to sign up for tax software other than your name, email address and phone number. But you should have these documents on hand when you start the filing process.

  • W2s for employed individuals
  • 1099s for earned interest, self-employed income, dividends, retirement distributions and more
  • Receipts for child care, educational expenses, medical bills, charitable donations, property taxes and mortgage interest, state and local taxes and any other expenses you’re claiming as a deduction
  • Proof of retirement contributions

Compare online tax software

Narrow down your search for online tax software by comparing price, guarantees and live chat. Select Compare on up to four software to view their features side by side.

Product USFSA-TAX Federal starting price State returns starting price Maximum return guaranteed? Free options available? Photo import of W2? Live chat?
Chime Tax filing
Chime logo
$0
$0
Yes
Yes
No
No
Go to site
TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer logo
$22.95
$39.95
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Go to site
Cash App logo
$0
$0
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
FreeTaxUSA logo
$0
$14.99
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Intuit TurboTax Tax Preparation Software logo
$89
$39
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
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Bottom line

Choosing the right tax software from the start will save you a lot of time and headaches come tax season. As always, explore your tax filing options and learn which steps you should take to file your taxes this year.

For more information, see our ultimate tax guides.

Frequently asked questions

How much does tax software cost?

Prices vary depending on the tax filing company you choose, whether you want access to a tax expert and your specific tax situation. The more complex your taxes are, the more expensive your software likely costs.

Some options may cost little to nothing to file, such as TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxSlayer, which offer free federal and state tax returns if you have what they deem a “simple” tax situation.

Do I have to use online tax software to file 2024 taxes?

No, you may not be required to use online tax software for your 2024 tax return. The IRS states that only people who need to file at least 10 information returns in one calendar year must file online. Everyone else can file their taxes online or by paper.

Can I file directly with the IRS?

Yes, you can file your 2024 tax return online with the IRS, but you’ll be left to complete the forms and schedules on your own, so be sure you know what you’re doing. There are also eight trusted partners in the IRS Free File program. If your adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less, check out the partners in the IRS Free File program, which include FreeTaxUSA and TaxSlayer.

Are online tax software services safe?

Yes. Registered tax providers and the IRS take security precautions to ensure your financial information is handled safely. If you still prefer to do things face to face, consider a service like H&R Block, which offers branches for paperwork drop-off. You can also print and mail in your own Form 1040, or you can locate a local tax preparation office near you.

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Editor, Banking

Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 466 Finder guides across topics including:
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