The tax deadline is fast approaching, and if you haven’t filed your taxes already, you’re probably looking for the cheapest and best tax software prep program out there.
If you’re locked in to a particular tax prep program you love, this may be an easy decision for you. If you haven’t filed your own taxes, or are looking to make a switch, finding the best and cheapest tax software program online is not as easy as it may seem.
For starters, the paid versions of various programs don’t align – even if they have the same name (i.e. “Deluxe” or “Premium”). You’ll want to review what forms are covered and meet your personal filing needs, based on how complex of a form you file. And with free versions, what forms each program covers can be dramatically different (and you have to watch out for state filing fees).
Additionally, no two programs have all of the same features. Tax advice support differs, audit protection differs, in-person support differs, data import differs, and so on.
So what I’ve tried to do in this review is give you a quick and easy cost comparison breakdown of all federal and state filing costs, key features, limitations, and even a few affiliate links with heavy discounts so that you can get the cheapest price available.
Here’s my comparison of the cheapest and best tax software prep programs out there:
Comparison of the Cheapest & Best Tax Software Prep:
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| Standard Cost of Federal Returns: | Free: $0 Deluxe: $54.99 Premium: $74.99 Self-Employed: $99.99 Tax-Pro Reviewed: Add $49.99 - $89.99 | Free: $0 Deluxe: $59.99 Premier: $79.99 Self-Employed: $119.99 Tax-Pro Reviewed: $179.99 (total) | Free: $0 Basic: $14.95 Plus: $49.95 Premium: $69.95 Freelancer: $59.95 | EZ: $14.95 Basic: $29.95 Deluxe: $43.95 Premium: $69.95 | $0 | Free: $0 Deluxe: $6.99 |
| Standard Cost of State Returns: | Free: $0 Deluxe: $39.99 Premium: $39.99 Self-Employed: $39.99 | Free: $29.99 Deluxe: $39.99 Premium: $39.99 Self-Employed: $39.99 | Free: $0 Basic: $17 Plus: $39.99 Premium: $39.99 Freelancer: $39.99 | EZ: $35.95 Basic: $39.95 Deluxe: $39.95 Premium: $39.95 | $0 (Georgia and New Mexico unavailable) | Free: $12.95 Deluxe: $12.95 |
| Comparison of Features Per Version: | Click here then "Open online tax filing products comparison" | Click here then "see all product details" and "tax forms" | Click here then "compare online products to help me choose" | Click here | Review Credit Karma Tax here (1 version) | Click here to review |
| Free Federal Available to: | All filers, limited scope | All filers, limited scope | All filers, limited scope | N/A | All filers | All filers, limited scope |
| Free Federal Scope Limited To: | 1040EZ, 1040A, & 1040 with Schedule A | 1040EZ, 1040A | 1040EZ | N/A | All forms | All forms |
| Free State Available To: | All filers, limited scope | N/A | All filers, limited scope | N/A | All filers | N/A |
| Free State Scope Limited to: | 1040EZ, 1040A, & 1040 w/ Schedule A | N/A | 1040EZ | N/A | All forms | N/A |
| Ability to Have a Tax Pro Review Online: | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Office Locations: | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Live Tax Advice Via Chat: | Yes, Deluxe+ versions | Yes, Deluxe+ versions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes, Deluxe version |
| Audit Support & Cost: | Yes, free | Yes, free | Yes, $49 | Yes, free | No | Yes, Deluxe version |
| Link to Cheapest Price: | Get 10% off H&R Block here | Get Turbotax here | Get 15% off TaxAct here | Get 20% off Liberty Tax here | Create a free Credit Karma account here | Find the $0 or $6.99 version of FreeTaxUSA here |
The Cheapest Tax Software Prep:
If your goal is strictly to find the cheapest tax software available, H&R Block, TaxAct, and Credit Karma each have at least 1 version that offers both free federal and state filing. The scope among those varies, however:
- H&R Block covers: 1040EZ, 1040A, & 1040 with Schedule A
- TaxAct covers: 1040EZ
- Credit Karma covers: all forms
If you have a very simplistic return, you may be able to file without any up-charges with H&R Block and TaxAct. If you want to be safe with all forms, Credit Karma may be your best bet.
However, you may want to beware that Credit Karma’s program has often been reviewed as being a bit buggy, lacking in features, and it apparently does not cover state returns in Georgia and New Mexico (though this is rumored to be in the works).
The Best Tax Software Prep:
Cheapest is not always best – particularly when it comes to something as essential as filing your taxes.
If you have a more complex return, it’s hard for me to recommend anything but H&R Block or Turbotax as the best tax software out there.
Both offer:
- the broadest feature sets of all tax programs
- data imports
- prior year returns
- accuracy guarantees
- free audit support
- free live chat and telephone support for technical issues or tax questions
- the ability to have a tax professional personally review your return (for an added charge)
And if things get real crazy, H&R Block even has office locations for in-person reviews and support.
I’ve personally used both programs and highly recommend both (in recent years, I’ve exclusively used H&R Block because they are slightly cheaper and offer more support). It’s hard to go wrong with either.
Happy filing to all!
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Hi
Thanks for the review. I agree with your conclusion. I went through Credit Carma hping to file free return, but was not able to complete on of the forms with real estate income. Credit Carma confirmed that it’s still in development. So for simple returns it can work. Switching to Turbotax now, which has also support for crypto Income./losses imports.
Yes – Real estate, small business, complex investments, crytpo – if your return involves any of that stuff, it’s probably best to stick with one of the more established/robust programs.
Hey – so I just did my tax returns the other day and I wouldn’t say my taxes are complicated (full-time employee in Michigan + sole self-employed LLC + retirement funds, HSA, crypto). I ran my taxes through TaxAct.com and they wanted $60 to complete the forms since I had an LLC, so I decided to try out FreetaxUSA and it worked far better than I hoped! I was able to write off a portion of my rent, internet and computer at a percentage for my LLC without a problem!
I’ve heard from a number of people that TaxAct, once known for being a bargain, no longer is for more complicated returns.
I usually use TurboTax, but this year, my Captial One account got me free access to H&R Block. I entered my taxes in both TurboTax and H&R Block since H&R Block is new to me. My return in TurboTax was $90 better. After searching over an hour in H&R Block’s software, I found the problem, fixed it, and filed with H&R Block.
In my opinion, TurboTax’s interface is more intuitive and I’m less likely to miss something there.
What was the cause for the difference, if you don’t mind me asking?