This best and cheapest tax software comparison review has been updated for 2023 tax filing (for 2022 tax year returns). The tax season start date will soon arrive 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 and cheapest tax software program online to e-file with for 2023.
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 software 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 any refund you may be due. If you haven’t filed your own taxes, or are looking to switch programs, finding the best and cheapest tax software 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”, or “Premium”). You’ll want to review what 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. 
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 “Tax Software Discount Coupon Promo Codes” section below that) for the most popular tax filing software, so that you can get the cheapest tax software prices (or even free offers) available.
Here’s my comparison of the best and cheapest tax software prep programs available online:
Comparison of the Best & Cheapest Tax Software Prep Programs Online:
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| Link to Best Available Promo Discount: | Get 15% off H&R Block here | Get the best TurboTax discount here | Get 25% off TaxSlayer here | Get 25% off 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): | -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $55 -Premium: $75 -Self-Employed: $115 "Online Assist" (live tax expert supported) versions: -Basic: $70 -Deluxe: $115 -Premium: $165 -Self-Employed: $195 | -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $59 -Premier: $89 -Self-Employed: $119 "Live Assisted" (live tax expert supported) versions: -Basic: $89 -Deluxe: $129 -Premier: $179 -Self-Employed: $209 | -Simply Free: $0 -Classic: $29.95 -Premium: $49.95 -Self-Employed: $59.95 | -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $46.95 -Premier: $69.95 -Self-Employed: $94.95 | -Free (includes Basic, Advanced, Premium, Self-Employed): $0 -Deluxe (premium support): $7.99 | Free |
| Cost of State Returns (Current Standard Prices, Before Discount): | -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $45 -Premium: $45 -Self-Employed: $45 "Online Assist" (live tax expert supported) versions: -Basic: $0 -Deluxe: $45 -Premium: $45 -Self-Employed: $45 | -Free: $0 -Deluxe: $59 -Premier: $59 -Self-Employed: $59 "Live Assisted" (live tax expert supported) versions: -Basic: $0 -Deluxe: $64 -Premier: $64 -Self-Employed: $64 | -Simply Free: $0 -Classic: $39.95 -Premium: $39.95 -Self-Employed: $39.95 | -Free: $39.95 -Deluxe: $54.95 -Premier: $54.95 -Self-Employed: $54.95 | $14.99 | Free |
| Comparison of Features Per Version: | Click here then "Compare Filing Options" | Click here then "More Details" | Click here then "Learn More" and "Compare" | Click here then "See More Details" under each product | Click here to review | 1 version for all filers |
| Free Federal Available to: | For simple tax returns only. Not all taxpayers qualify. | For simple tax returns only. Not all taxpayers qualify. | For simple tax returns only. Not all taxpayers qualify. | For simple tax returns only. Not all taxpayers qualify. | All filers | All filers |
| Free Federal Scope Limited To: | Simple federal tax returns only. Basic federal 1040 with some additional forms. See product description for details. | Simple federal tax returns only. Basic federal 1040 with some additional forms. See product description for details. | Simple federal tax returns only. Basic federal 1040 with some additional forms. See product description for details. | Simple federal tax returns only. Basic federal 1040 with some additional forms. See product description for details. | All forms, with a few exclusions. | Cash App Taxes excluded forms |
| Free State Available To: | For simple tax returns only - not all taxpayers qualify. | For simple tax returns only - not all taxpayers qualify. | For simple tax returns only - not all taxpayers qualify. | N/A, state filing is $39.95 or $54.95 per return | N/A, state filing is $14.99 per return | All filers |
| Free State Scope Limited to: | Simple tax returns only. Basic state 1040 with some additional forms. | Simple tax returns only. Basic state 1040 with some additional forms. | Simple tax returns only. Basic state 1040 with some additional forms. | N/A, state filing is $39.95 or $54.95 per return | N/A, state filing is $14.99 per return | All filers |
| Ability to Have a Tax Pro Review Your Return Online & Submit: | Yes, with "Tax Pro Review" versions | Yes, with "Live Full Service" versions | No | No | No | No |
| Office Locations: | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
The Cheapest Tax Software Prep (& Best Free Tax Software Prep):
If your goal is strictly to find the cheapest tax software available, I recommend 5 above the others:
- H&R Block
- TurboTax
- TaxSlayer
- TaxAct
- 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 $39.95 per state filing for their “free” federal version. The scope of these free tax prep offerings can be limited, however, as it usually only covers a simple tax returns only (basic 1040 filing, with W-2 income and a handful of added forms) and often not all taxpayers are eligible. 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 everything you need, 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.
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
- Charitable contributions
- Investment income (e.g. sale of stocks)
- Unemployment income
- Landlord rental income
- Self-employment income
- Business income
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 you many of the free versions I highlight in this article, but they typically have state, age, and income restrictions and can also be limited in the forms that they cover. Also, note that both H&R Block and Turbotax are no longer participating in the Free File Alliance.
Furthermore, you may not be able to transfer to an upgraded paid plan (if needed), without reentering 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 rolls over year-over-year.
Note to U.S. Military Members: A free option specifically for U.S. Military members to check out MilTax. MilTax is the U.S. Department of Defense’s MilTax software, available through Military OneSource for no charge.
The Best Tax Software Discount Coupon 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 almost every tax software programs, and they have provided me with special discounted pricing to offer to my readers that is the best you will be able to find anywhere, automatically applied by using the links below (for a limited-time only).
- H&R Block: 15% off at link on paid versions
- TurboTax: best available discount at link on paid versions
- TaxSlayer: 25% off at link on paid versions
- TaxAct: 25% off at link on paid versions
- Cash App Taxes: free filing (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
- eSmartTax: $9 or $14 off at link, varies by paid online version
- E-file.com: 30% off at link
The Best Tax Software Prep Program 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:
Each offers:
- 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
- the ability to have a tax expert personally assist you or even review your return (at H&R Block and TurboTax only, 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.
Happy tax filing to all!
