Best Tax Software and Services

Intuit TurboTax offers 12 different options for tax preparation, from completely DIY to virtual assistance to full service.

For a limited time, filing a simple tax return is free with live assistance or with the full-service option. Those with itemized deductions like real estate tax or charitable contributions will not qualify for the free service, but DIY pricing starts at $59 for federal and $54 for state, though the company offers promotional pricing sometimes to make these prices $15 to $20 less.

The live full-service option connects you with a tax expert to do your taxes for you. You can choose your tax expert, upload your tax documents using a guided checklist and meet virtually with the expert through a one-way video. Your tax expert will not sign off on your taxes until you are ready. This option gives you the benefits of using a tax expert and online filing, but it is costlier than the other options.

The deluxe full-service option costs $259 to file federal and an additional $59 to file state; even with promotions, the service will still cost you over $200.

When filing online directly from the TurboTax website, you do not need to pay for the service upfront. Instead, you can pay from your federal tax refund without paying additional fees.

All services come with a maximum refund guarantee and 100% accurate calculations guarantee; if the company makes an error, it will pay any IRS penalties.

Features we liked for Intuit TurboTax include the following:

• Virtual tax expert option
• Past tax information saved

Before choosing Intuit TurboTax, consider the following

• More expensive than competitors
• May not be able to connect with your tax expert year round

Many customers have trusted Intuit TurboTax for years and love how convenient it is to have previous years of taxes stored and easily accessible through your account.

One Nevada reviewer said: “Our experience with the software has been great. The live support we received was just the normal live chat that is available online — we did not pay extra for support. It is possible that closer to April 15, they are harder to reach, but most of the year they are there very quickly.”

The most recent complaints are from customers who have used and loved TurboTax for several years, with one reviewer even using it for 35 years. However, these regular customers have since experienced issues with refund problems or have complained that the programs cost too much.

TaxAct offers four different tax filing levels for individuals, including the free basic, the Deluxe version for filers with loans and/or children, the Premier version for those with investments, and a self-employed version. For a limited time, each level will come with free and unlimited tax expert help, which TaxAct calls Xpert Assist.

E-filing also comes with TaxAct’s “$100k Accuracy Guarantee,” which says that if TaxAct makes an error, it will pay you the difference in the refund or liability up to $100,000.

TaxAct is also a good choice for filers who own their own business but don’t fit under the self-employed classification. With TaxAct, single-owner businesses can file as sole proprietors, partnerships, S corporations, C corporations and tax-exempt organizations. There is also an option to bundle business filing with home. The free Xpert Assist is only available for sole proprietor filing, but all businesses have access to unlimited free tech and account support.

Many competitors will waive the state filing fee if you qualify for a simple file, but TaxAct charges $39.95 to file state for the basic file.

It is important to note that TaxAct is not fully available in all states. In some states, it does not offer select forms, such as a 1041 state form in Vermont. In other states, like Washington, Wyoming and South Dakota, no services are available at all.

We love TaxAct for the following reasons:

• Free Xpert Assist for a limited time
• Business and home bundles
• $100k Accuracy Guarantee

Make sure you consider these factors when choosing TaxAct:

• State filing fee with free service
• Not all forms available in all states

Customers choose TaxAct because it is easy to use and has great customer service. One North Carolina customer has been using TaxAct for around five years and says they always get the return TaxAct says they will. “Takes you step by step whatever tax forms you use. They ask you question after question to make sure you are getting every tax break possible.”

However, many loyal customers complain that TaxAct changed its platform in 2022, which made filing harder and caused some users to skip important questions or get stuck while entering information.

Headquartered in Georgia, TaxSlayer offers cloud-based tax preparation software. It has four online versions, with free options for basic 1040 filing. Active-duty military can file federal and state for free with no restrictions.

The paid versions of the tax software range from $19.95 to $49.95 to file your federal return, plus $39.95 for each state return. You can choose to have these fees deducted from your federal refund and not pay anything upfront to start.

TaxSlayer offers a 100% accuracy guarantee and a maximum refund guarantee, though qualifying for the guarantee requires submitting the right documents and meeting the refund deadlines.

While the software is accessible through the website and mobile app, there isn't a downloadable desktop version. One-on-one tax expert support is only available for the top two tiers of software: premium and self-employed.

Here are the top pros of TaxSlayer to consider:

• Free for active-duty military
• 100% accuracy guarantee

Before choosing TaxSlayer, consider the following:

• Limited one-on-one tax expert help

Customers say they chose TaxSlayer because they wanted a tax software service that was affordable and timesaving. Some wanted to try something new after past frustrations with other popular programs.

One New York reviewer said that after running into some calculation errors, they called them in the “heart of tax season,” saying: “I was able to speak with a rep in under an hour. They pointed me to a worksheet I didn't know about. Including it allowed me to increase my refund slightly. In sum, TaxSlayer is not fancy, but it is straightforward, has good customer support, is truly free and may save you a bit of time and money.”

The same reviewer pointed out some common complaints that others have with TaxSlayer, saying that the system was “kludgey.” Other reviewers expressed similar sentiments, saying that the site was slow and cumbersome and not an enjoyable user experience.

H&R Block offers a variety of tax options, from DIY software to in-person or virtual appointments with a tax expert. You can choose between having full control of your taxes, having a bit of help or being completely hands-off and letting a tax pro do the work.

Prices start at $0 for federal and state and can go up to $110 for federal and $37 for state when you file yourself (promotions are available). Filing with a pro starts at $85 for federal, with additional fees for state. You won’t see the actual price for your choice until you meet with a professional.

H&R Block offers a “No Surprise Guarantee,” which promises that clients will pay only the amount that H&R Block quotes them before they start their tax preparation. If the client's tax situation changes during the preparation process, H&R Block will adjust the quote, but the client will never pay more than the original quote.

Most tax companies allow you to file online and choose direct deposit for your return. H&R Block has additional options for those who need their money quickly. The Refund Advance allows you to get up to $3,500 with 0% interest minutes after you file. This is not your refund, but instead a loan from Pathward (a financial institution), and fees can apply.

Another option is the Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, which gives you convenient access to your funds in advance. The card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Some fees can apply, but this is a helpful solution for individuals who do not have bank accounts.

We recommend H&R Block for the following reasons:

• In-person services
• No Surprise Guarantee

Keep these factors in mind when considering H&R Block:

• Professional filing prices not posted
• Fees for optional refund choices

People choose H&R Block because they think the program is easy to use and they get the greatest refund back.

One Tennessee reviewer has used H&R Block for over five years and chooses to pay the additional fee to have past years’ tax return data available. The reviewer said: “I always get confirmations when my tax filing is accepted by the IRS, and I do not get an excess amount of email solicitations from them. Very professional and respectful company.”

However, some reviewers had issues with the online filing to the point that customer service could not figure out the problem either. These reviewers had to print and mail their returns, which was an added hassle.

Jackson Hewitt charges a flat fee of $25 no matter how complex your tax situation is for the do-it-yourself tax software. Note that this $25 fee covers tax prep fees only; additional add-on services such as eCollect or Protection Plus will cost extra.

There are over 5,500 Jackson Hewitt in-person locations, including many in Walmart stores. Most locations are open evenings and on the weekends in the heart of tax season. You can choose your location based on factors such as availability or Spanish-speaking assistance. In-person tax prep costs start at $65.

Jackson Hewitt also offers a drop-off service for individuals who want to leave their documents for a professional tax preparer to go through. In-person tax costs apply, but there are no additional fees for drop-off services. The pro will then schedule a 15-minute call to go over your return and answer any questions.

Features we like for Jackson Hewitt include:

• Flat $25 fee for DIY
• Drop-and-go option

The following should be considered before moving forward with Jackson Hewitt:

• Unclear pricing for in-person services

Many customers choose Jackson Hewitt because of how convenient the locations are. One New Jersey customer said they have used Jackson Hewitt in their local Walmart store for three years: “Their representative is fantastic — extremely knowledgeable and professional. Friendly and courteous. I am extremely satisfied with his services.”

However, other reviewers felt they were overcharged for in-person services and that the individuals who prepared their taxes were prone to mistakes.