10 Tax Filing Options and How Much They’ll Cost You

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

It’s that time of year again. The IRS is knocking at your financial door, and that also means it’s also picking your tax software season. If want to make sure you get the most out of your tax refund and haven’t yet filed your returns, you want to make sure the price you pay to e-send or mail-in option doesn’t diminish your check too much.

However, you don’t want to waste any time sorting through all the many software options — so GOBankingRates did the hard work for you. The following guide profiles all the top providers offering all price ranges, from low to high.

IRS Free File

As the name implies, both options are free for filing federal returns.

• Guided Tax Preparation: Those with AGIs (adjusted gross income) under $73,000 can use guided software that does the work for you and makes all calculations — you just answer some simple questions. It includes some state preparation and free filing, too. 
• Fillable Forms: This bare-bones option is for AGIs over $73,000. You receive no guidance and must do all the work, make all your own calculations and file yourself. No state preparation is included.

Cash App Taxes

Cash App Taxes stands out as the only 100% free service with no price tiers, fees, paid extras or add-ons for both state and federal returns. The price is $0 for both federal and state returns, including for relatively complex situations, like if you sold stocks, traded cryptocurrency or are taking deductions. 

You must download the app to use the software, support is limited to email and document importation requires you to snap and send photos. But it’s free from start to finish for all taxpayers with no exceptions.

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA is free for federal returns and charges a low $14.99 for state returns no matter which option you choose. There is a pro support version for $49.99 that buys you live chat, priority support and unlimited amended returns. Beyond that, the service lives up to its name with 100% free federal returns for all four categories:

• Basic: Beginner-friendly interface for simple returns
• Advanced: Good for more complex situations like homeownership, credits and deductions
• Premium: Use this version for advanced situations like investments, rental income or the sale of a home. 
• Self-Employed: Freelancers, contractors and small-business owners should use this version.

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt doesn’t have tiered pricing for its online DIY software. Instead, you pay a flat rate of $25 no matter how simple or complicated your tax situation may be. If you have simple returns, you can file for free elsewhere, but otherwise, its flat rate is tough to beat — especially considering that it includes unlimited free state returns.

1040.com

Like Jackson Hewitt, 1040.com charges a flat fee for everyone of $29.99. The difference is that — unlike Jackson Hewitt, which has a nationwide network of offices and tax professionals who can help for an extra fee — 1040.com is fully online DIY.

E-File.com

E-file.com offers a free federal e-filing program for both single and joint filers who qualify to file with our basic software. There is also tax software for more complicated federal tax returns, which range in price.

• Free Federal Basic ($0): Good only for simple individual or joint returns
• Deluxe Plus E-file ($27.99): Choose this edition for more complex situations like filing with dependents, mortgage interest deductions and retirement income. It comes with phone and online support, but it’s only for filers with income up to $100,000. 
• Premium Plus E-file ($49.99): This option comes with full phone support and includes all schedules and forms whether you itemize or not. You can use it to report both business and personal income, and it includes IRS audit assistance.

TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer Simply Free is really free for those who qualify. In addition to federal, you can file one free state tax return for any state that has an income tax. This excludes Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

• Simply Free ($0): For simple 1040 tax returns only
• Classic ($22.95): Includes all IRS forms, credits and deductions. Taxslayer calls it “The best value for any tax situation.”
• Premium ($42.95): Classic plus live chat, assistance from tax pros and “skip-the-line” email and phone support.
• Self-Employed ($52.95): A specialized interface for Form 1099 and Schedule C business and personal income reporting

TaxAct

With TaxAct, the free option is $0 if you qualify and it covers such filing needs for people with W-2 returns, unemployment, student loans, Child Tax Credits and more. Here is a breakdown of the tiered options.

• Free ($0): Suitable only for basic federal filers with simple returns.
• Deluxe ($49.99): This edition is right for filers with loans and dependents.
• Premier ($79.99): Choose this version if you have investment income and transactions.
• Self-Employed ($99.99): This option is right if you have personal and business income to report.

H&R Block

State returns are $0 with the free online version. Here’s a look at what the other tiers have to offer. 

• Free Online ($0): Good for simple returns for students and W-2 earners.
• Deluxe (starts at $35, additional $37 charge per state filed): Everything from the free version, plus itemized deductions and child and dependent care expenses, and you can store your returns for six years. 
• Premium ($89): Everything from Deluxe plus investments, rental income and crypto transactions. 

TurboTax

You have three options with all four TurboTax tiers: do your own taxes; do your own taxes with expert assistance; and full service, where TurboTax does your taxes for you.

• Do Your Own ($0-$89): For simple tax returns. 
• Assisted ($39-$169): Get unlimited help from real tax experts.
• Full Service (Starting at $129): An expert will do your taxes for you.

Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.

Share This Article: