This tax prep comparison review has been updated for 2024 tax return filing (for 2023 tax year returns). The tax season start date has arrived and the tax deadlines have been announced by the IRS. If you haven’t started filing your taxes already, you’re probably starting to look around for the best tax prep program online to e-file with in 2024.
If you’re locked in to a particular tax prep software that you love, this may be an easy decision for you: find the right version for your tax situation this year, pay the cheapest price you can (discounted offers are below to help with that goal), and e-file ASAP so that you can get it behind you and quickly get any refund you may be due. If you haven’t filed your own taxes, or are looking to switch programs, finding the best tax prep program online can get tricky.
For starters, the features in the paid versions of various programs often don’t align – even if they have the same name (e.g. “Free”, “Basic”, “Deluxe”, “Premium”, or “Self-Employed”). You’ll want to review what IRS forms are covered and meet your personal filing needs, based on how complex your filing is. And with “free” versions, the forms each program covers can be very limited, mostly focused just on simple 1040 filing only, without coverage for many different forms and tax situations.
Additionally, no two tax software programs have all of the same features. Tax expert advice and support differs (or is not offered at all), audit protection differs, in-person support (if needed) differs, forms supported differs, data import capabilities differ, and so on.
So, what I’ve tried to do in this tax software comparison review is give you a quick and easy cost comparison breakdown of all federal and state e-filing costs, key feature comparison, limitations, and even a few special links with the largest available discounts (in the “Link to Best Promo Discount” row in the chart below and the “The Best Tax Prep Discount Promo Codes” section below that) for the most popular tax prep programs, so that you can get the cheapest prices (or even free offers) available.
Here’s my comparison of the best tax prep programs available online:
Comparison of the Best Tax Prep Filing Programs Online:
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| Link to Best Available Promo Discount: | Get 20%+ off H&R Block here | Get the best TurboTax discount here | Get 15% off TaxSlayer here | Get a 20% discount on TaxAct here | Get a free FreeTaxUSA federal return here | Get a free Cash App Taxes return here |
| Cost of Federal Returns (Current Standard Prices, Before Discount): | DIY: -Free Online: $0 -Deluxe: $55 -Premium: $85 -Self-Employed: $115 "Tax Pro Review" (tax expert supported) versions: -Free Online: $55 -Deluxe: $100 -Premium: $160 -Self-Employed: $180 | Prices vary based on filing date (see ranges below) DIY: -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $39-$69 -Premium: $89-$129 "Live Assisted" (supported) versions: -Basic: $0-$99 -Deluxe: $89-$139 -Premium: $169-$219 "Live Full Service" versions (starting prices): -$89-$129 | -Simply Free: $0 -Classic: $34.95 -Premium: $54.95 -Self-Employed: $64.95 | -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $29.99 -Premier: $39.99 -Self-Employed: $69.99 | -Free (includes Basic, Premium, Self-Employed): $0 -Deluxe (adds chat, premium support): $7.99 - Pro (adds phone, support): $39.99 | Free |
| Cost of State Returns (Current Standard Prices, Before Discount): | DIY: -Free Online: $0 -Deluxe: $37 -Premium: $37 -Self-Employed: $37 "Tax Pro Review" (tax expert supported) versions: -Basic: $0 -Deluxe: $37 -Premium: $37 -Self-Employed: $37 | Prices vary based on filing date (see ranges below) DIY: -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $39-$59 -Premium: $39-$59 "Live Assisted" (live tax expert supported) versions: -Basic: $0-$64 -Deluxe: $49-$64 -Premium: $49-$79 "Live Full Service" versions (starting prices): - $49-$79 | -Simply Free: $0 -Classic: $39.95 -Premium: $39.95 -Self-Employed: $39.95 | -Free: $39.99 -Deluxe: $39.99 -Premier: $39.99 -Self-Employed: $39.99 | $14.99 | Free |
| Comparison of Features Per Version: | Click here then "Compare Filing Options" | Click here then "Compare TurboTax pricing and filing options". | Click here then on a specific product to see everything it offers. | Click here then "Details" under each product | Click here to review | 1 version for all filers |
| Free Federal Available to: | Not all taxpayers will qualify. Simple returns only. | Not all taxpayers will qualify (~37% of taxpayers qualify, according to TurboTax). Simple returns only. | Not all taxpayers will qualify. Simple returns only. | Not all taxpayers will qualify. Simple returns only. | All filers | All filers |
| Free Federal Scope Limited To: | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | All forms, with a few exclusions. | Cash App Taxes excluded forms |
| Free State Available To: | Not all taxpayers will qualify. Simple returns only. | Not all taxpayers will qualify (~37% of taxpayers qualify, according to TurboTax). Simple returns only. | Not all taxpayers will qualify. Simple returns only. | N/A, state filing is $39.99 per return. | N/A, state filing is $14.99 per return. | All filers |
| Free State Scope Limited to: | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | Simple form 1040 and limited credits only. See product description for details. | N/A, state filing is $39.99 per return. | N/A, state filing is $14.99 per return. | All filers |
| Ability to Have a Tax Pro Review Your Return Online & File: | Yes, with "Tax Pro Review" versions | Yes, with "Live Full Service" versions | No | No | No | No |
| Office Locations: | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Pros: | - Free federal & state filing option. - Ability to have tax experts review & file on your behalf. - Reputation. - Versions that cover every form/scenario. - Ability to do in-person filing. - Live support included. | - Free federal & state filing option. - Ability to have tax experts review & file on your behalf. - Versions that cover every form/scenario. | - Free federal & state filing option. - Versions that cover every form/scenario. | - Low pricing for federal return. - Versions that cover every form/scenario. | - Low pricing for federal return. - Versions that cover every form/scenario. | - Free federal & state filing option. |
| Cons: | - "Online Assist" program deprecated. - Free Online version limited to simple form 1040 and limited credits only. | - No up-front pricing. Varies based on filing date & needs. - Free version limited to simple form 1040 and limited credits only. | - No live chat for Simple Free or Classic versions. - Simply Free version limited to simple form 1040 and limited credits only. | - No free state filing option. - Live support comes with a high fee. - Free version limited to simple form 1040 and limited credits only. | - No free state filing option. - Live support comes with a fee. | - Not all forms covered. - No live support. |
The Best Cheapest Tax Prep Filing Options:
If your goal is strictly to find the best cheapest tax software available, I recommend 5 above the others:
- H&R Block: 20%+ partner discount at link
- TurboTax: best partner discount at link
- TaxSlayer: 15% partner discount at link
- TaxAct: 20% partner discount at link
- Cash App Taxes (formerly “Credit Karma Tax”, now owned by Square/Cash App)
Each have at least 1 “free” or “basic” version that offers free filing for both federal and state returns with 1 exception – TaxAct charges $39.99 per state filing for their “free” federal version. The scope of these free tax prep versions can be limited, however, as they usually only cover simple tax returns only (W-2 income, simple 1040 and limited credits only) and not all taxpayers will qualify (~37% of taxpayers qualify for TurboTax Free, according to TurboTax, for example).
A note on TurboTax pricing: the earlier you file, the cheaper your price will be. TurboTax pricing varies based on when you file, in addition to which version you need.
H&R Block, TurboTax, TaxSlayer, and TaxAct also allow you to start with a more basic version and upgrade later to a more robust version that covers additional forms/topics, if needed, without having to re-enter all of your information. Look at the product descriptions to take your best guess on where to start and go from there.
“Free” Tax Prep Often Isn’t Free
I really don’t recommend jumping at something just because it is “free”, on the surface. Make sure you do your homework to find the best fit. Here’s just a sampling of what the “free” versions of tax software often do not cover:
- Child Tax Credit
- HSA contributions/withdrawals
- Itemized deductions
- Mortgage interest deductions
- Cryptocurrency taxes
- Real estate tax deductions
- Charitable contributions
- Investment income (e.g. sale of stocks)
- Unemployment income
- Landlord rental income and deductions
- Self-employment income and deductions
- Small business income, deductions, and asset depreciation
Those are commonly used forms by many tax filers. The IRS Free File Alliance (see more in my cheapest ways to e-file post) also connects to many of the free versions I highlight in this article, but they typically have strict state, age, and income restrictions and can also be very limited in the forms that they cover. Also, note that both H&R Block and TurboTax are not participating in the Free File Alliance.
Furthermore, you may not be able to transfer to an upgraded paid plan (if needed), without re-entering all of your information. If you have a simple return, the free versions in this article are just as good, don’t come with the restrictions, and are easily transferred to upgraded versions, if needed. Of course, you could always try to go the Free Fillable Forms route too, but I would not advise it. It’s a ton of manual work, requires a lot of tax knowledge, and data is purged every year so nothing transfers from one year to the next.
The IRS has also launched a test product called IRS Direct File this year. While this may be a promising tax filing option in the future, I wouldn’t recommend Direct File this year as it’s a limited pilot, with eligibility only open to taxpayers in 12 states, with income, age, and form restrictions. It also doesn’t allow for state e-filing, so any participants would need to file an additional completely separate state return and re-enter all of their information a second time in to one of the other tax prep options highlighted in this article to do that, which doubles your tax filing pain.
Note to U.S. Military Members: A free option specifically for U.S. Military members to check out is MilTax. MilTax is the U.S. Department of Defense’s MilTax software, available through Military OneSource for no charge.
The Best Tax Prep Discount Promo Codes
If you’re looking to pay for whatever tax software is the best fit or you’ve used before, here are some discount coupon promo codes to utilize, in order to get the best price if you need to upgrade to a paid version later on in the filing process. I have affiliate partner relationships with every major tax software program, and each has provided me with special discounted pricing to offer readers that is the best pricing publicly available, automatically applied by using the links below (for a limited-time only).
- H&R Block: 20%+ partner discount at link
- TurboTax: best partner discount at link
- TaxSlayer: 15% partner discount at link
- TaxAct: 20% partner discount at link
- Cash App Taxes: free filing (with form limitations). “Cash App taxes” was formerly “Credit Karma Tax”, now owned by Square/Cash App.
- FreeTaxUSA: lowest price at link on state e-file
- Liberty Tax: $10 off at link
- E-file.com: 30% off at link
The Best Tax Prep Programs Overall:
Cheapest is not always best – particularly when it comes to something as essential as filing your taxes.
If you have a more complex return and want the most robust programs and support, the overall best tax software programs are:
- H&R Block: 20%+ partner discount at link
- TurboTax: best partner discount at link
- TaxSlayer: 15% partner discount at link
The pros for these programs:
- the broadest feature sets of all tax programs
- they cover up to every possible form, with upgraded paid versions
- data imports
- amended returns
- prior year returns
- accuracy guarantees
- audit support (included or as an add-on feature)
- live chat support (included or as an add-on feature)
- the ability to have a tax expert personally assist you or even review and submit your return (at H&R Block and TurboTax, for an added charge)
And if things get real crazy, H&R Block even has office locations for in-person reviews and support. You can also check out my free guide on how to do your taxes to get your basics squared away in preparation for filing your return.
The cons for these programs:
- Those with very complex returns may need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan and/or pay for dedicated tax pro support in preparing your return – but there is really no way around that, and at least you’ll have the option (H&R Block and TurboTax).
- TaxSlayer does not have the option to have a tax pro prepare your return.
Happy tax filing to all!