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.
FreeTaxUSA offers a free federal return for all filers, no matter how complicated your tax situation is. It also costs just $14.99 for state returns. There are no complicated plans and prices to sort through and no forced upgrades if you need different forms or schedules. And if you’ve used other online tax software, you can import them into FreeTaxUSA. You can also pay for optional services, such as amended returns, audit defenses, professionally printed options and more. But if you want phone support, you must buy Deluxe Support for $7.99 or pay for the Pro Support plan, where a tax professional handles your returns for $39.99.
Federal starting price
$0
State returns starting price
$14.99
Free options available?
Yes
FreeTaxUSA offers a free federal return for all filers, no matter how complicated your tax situation is. It also costs just $14.99 for state returns. There are no complicated plans and prices to sort through and no forced upgrades if you need different forms or schedules. And if you’ve used other online tax software, you can import them into FreeTaxUSA. You can also pay for optional services, such as amended returns, audit defenses, professionally printed options and more. But if you want phone support, you must buy Deluxe Support for $7.99 or pay for the Pro Support plan, where a tax professional handles your returns for $39.99.
TaxSlayer can offer free federal and state returns for simple tax situations, called the Simply Free plan. Many tax situations qualify for free filing, including single or married filing jointly, no dependents, under the age of 65, can claim standard deductions rather than itemizing them and have $100,000 or less in taxable income. The three credits and deductions in the Simply Free plan include the American Opportunity Tax Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit and the Student Loan Interest Deduction. Due to the restrictions, TaxSlayer makes the most sense for those without kids and few deductions. If you need to upgrade plans, the Classic version starts at $22.95, and the highest cost plan is $52.95 for the Self-Employed plan. And if you want to ask a tax professional specific questions, you’ll need to upgrade to a Premium or Self-Employed plan.
Federal starting price
$22.95
State returns starting price
$39.95
Free options available?
No
TaxSlayer can offer free federal and state returns for simple tax situations, called the Simply Free plan. Many tax situations qualify for free filing, including single or married filing jointly, no dependents, under the age of 65, can claim standard deductions rather than itemizing them and have $100,000 or less in taxable income. The three credits and deductions in the Simply Free plan include the American Opportunity Tax Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit and the Student Loan Interest Deduction. Due to the restrictions, TaxSlayer makes the most sense for those without kids and few deductions. If you need to upgrade plans, the Classic version starts at $22.95, and the highest cost plan is $52.95 for the Self-Employed plan. And if you want to ask a tax professional specific questions, you’ll need to upgrade to a Premium or Self-Employed plan.
Pros
Free federal and state for qualified simple filers
Intuit TurboTax is the most-used tax program in the US, and over 40 million federal returns were prepared with it in 2024. It uses a self-guided interview process to help you file your taxes, or you can file with the help of a tax professional. If you qualify, you could get federal and state taxes completed for free with the DIY plan. Plus, enlisted active duty and reserve military members can file federal and state returns for free. If you switch to TurboTax and file on a mobile device, you can get the DIY product for free (regardless of how complicated your return ends up being) until February 18, 2025. But watch out for product upgrades as you go through the filing process — you may not know you've been bumped up to a higher plan until you're ready to pay and submit your return. On the downside, TurboTax is known for upgrading you on its own if you end up having a more'complicated' return that unqualifies you for the free options.
Federal starting price
$89
State returns starting price
$39
Free options available?
Yes
Intuit TurboTax is the most-used tax program in the US, and over 40 million federal returns were prepared with it in 2024. It uses a self-guided interview process to help you file your taxes, or you can file with the help of a tax professional. If you qualify, you could get federal and state taxes completed for free with the DIY plan. Plus, enlisted active duty and reserve military members can file federal and state returns for free. If you switch to TurboTax and file on a mobile device, you can get the DIY product for free (regardless of how complicated your return ends up being) until February 18, 2025. But watch out for product upgrades as you go through the filing process — you may not know you've been bumped up to a higher plan until you're ready to pay and submit your return. On the downside, TurboTax is known for upgrading you on its own if you end up having a more'complicated' return that unqualifies you for the free options.
Pros
No cost for some filers with DIY plan
No cost for military members
Free for new mobile filers until February 18
Accurate calculations and maximum refund guarantee
Keeper is an online tax software powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and returns are reviewed and signed by tax professionals. This software is designed with business owners and freelancers in mind, letting you connect your bank account and track your expenses throughout the year to help personalize your tax filing experience with questions that only apply to your situation. Plus, its smart algorithms comb through your transaction history to maximize your deductions and identify tax breaks you qualify for. A tax professional will prepare your return, which you can submit to the IRS right from the app. However, the cost is a little more than others on this list, starting at $99 for federal and state e-filing per year.
Federal starting price
$99
State returns starting price
Included
Free options available?
No
Keeper is an online tax software powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and returns are reviewed and signed by tax professionals. This software is designed with business owners and freelancers in mind, letting you connect your bank account and track your expenses throughout the year to help personalize your tax filing experience with questions that only apply to your situation. Plus, its smart algorithms comb through your transaction history to maximize your deductions and identify tax breaks you qualify for. A tax professional will prepare your return, which you can submit to the IRS right from the app. However, the cost is a little more than others on this list, starting at $99 for federal and state e-filing per year.
H&R Block is a very popular tax preparation service offering e-filing or in-person tax prep, or you can download the software yourself. If you e-file, you might qualify for free federal and state returns, depending on how simple your tax situation is. If you opt to download the software, the Basic $40 option offers up to five federal returns. H&R Block offers accuracy and maximum refund guarantees, and there’s audit and identity theft protection. But if you can’t qualify for the Free Online filing, plan on needing to pay at least $35 for federal and $37 for state if you e-file. H&R Block also charges a $42 fee if you pay them with your refund.
Federal starting price
$35
State returns starting price
$37
Free options available?
Yes
H&R Block is a very popular tax preparation service offering e-filing or in-person tax prep, or you can download the software yourself. If you e-file, you might qualify for free federal and state returns, depending on how simple your tax situation is. If you opt to download the software, the Basic $40 option offers up to five federal returns. H&R Block offers accuracy and maximum refund guarantees, and there’s audit and identity theft protection. But if you can’t qualify for the Free Online filing, plan on needing to pay at least $35 for federal and $37 for state if you e-file. H&R Block also charges a $42 fee if you pay them with your refund.
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
TurboTax is DIY tax preparation software with professional support so you can do your own taxes accurately, quickly, and affordably.
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