Best tax software to file with in 2023

But the right tax software can make filing your federal and state tax returns surprisingly simple and ensure you take advantage of the money-saving opportunities available to you.

In this guide, we’ve reviewed some of the top online tax providers available today and their key features.

Most offer a way to file for free if your taxes are pretty straightforward and offer additional paid tiers — almost identically named across brands — if you want to itemize deductions or file with real estate, investment or self-employment income. Many will connect you to a CPA or Enrolled Agent if you have questions as you go.

1. TurboTax

Best tax software for: Complicated returns and affordable tax pro help

Pricing:

• Free: $0 to prepare and file federal and state; $0 for tax pro help.
• Deluxe: $29 + $39 to file state; $79 + $49 (state) for tax pro help.
• Premier: $69 + $39 to file state; $139 + $49 (state) for tax pro help.
• Self-Employed: $89 + $39 to file state; $169 + $49 (state) for tax pro help.

TurboTax may not be the cheapest option on this list, but if your return is complicated — like, for example, if you’re self-employed — you get a lot of value.

TurboTax’s free edition comes with an “Audit Support Guarantee,” which offers free guidance in the event you're audited.

In the wake of the pandemic, TurboTax’s free edition now supports unemployment income, earned income tax credits and child tax credits.

The Deluxe and Premier editions of TurboTax line up your personal information with hundreds of tax deductions to see whether you’re eligible.

Note that TurboTax's paid editions do not come with a free state return; state returns cost an additional $39.

TurboTax Self-Employed offers the same features as Premier, plus home office deduction support and extra deduction help for freelancers and independent contractors.

For an additional cost — or if you file a simple return early enough — you can take advantage of TurboTax Live.

A licensed pro will provide you with unlimited live tax advice to make the whole filing process a snap, and they’ll review your return before you file to make sure you haven’t missed any credits or deductions.

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2. H&R Block

Best tax software for: Easy access to in-person support in your town

File yourself

• Free: $0 to prepare and file federal and state
• Deluxe: $35 + $37 to file state
• Premium: $55 + $37 to file state
• Self-Employed: $85 + $37 to file state
• File with a tax pro: Starting at $85 + $37 to file state

H&R Block has been around for more than 50 years and has a reputation as one of the most trusted tax preparers in the United States.

Like many of its competitors, H&R Block’s free tax software will let you file your Form 1040 and help you take advantage of several common tax breaks.

It allows you to file Schedule 8812 for the additional child tax credit and Schedule EIC for the earned income tax credit. Most users can file schedules 1, 2 and 3 (which cover more complex issues like business income, alimony and various deductions and credits) for no extra cost.

Similar to TurboTax, H&R Block has responded to COVID-19 by expanding its free version to support unemployment income and a variety of tax credits.

Although H&R Block's paid online versions require an extra fee for state returns, the higher-cost downloadable versions of the Deluxe + State, Premium and Premium & Business programs all include a free state return with your federal return.

Each version of H&R Block’s tax software provides an intuitive help menu to guide users through the preparation process.

You also can pay a bit more to have an expert review your return either online or in person at one of H&R Block’s thousands of physical locations. A tax expert can offer personalized feedback and advice, plus spot any potential errors or missed deductions that could save you money.

The cost to work with an H&R Block tax pro depends on your needs, but plans start at $69 for federal returns, with an added charge for each state return you file.

3. TaxAct

Best tax software for: Low-cost filing for the self-employed

Pricing:

• Free: $0 to prepare and file federal + $39.95 to file state; $0 for tax pro help.
• Deluxe: $24.95 + $44.95 to file state; $24.95 for tax pro help.
• Premier: $34.95 + $44.95 to file state; $34.95 for tax pro help.
• Self-Employed: $64.95 + $44.95; $64.95 for tax pro help.

Although TaxAct may not have the same brand recognition as some of its competitors, it offers comparable features at lower-than-average prices.

The free edition includes a federal return and allows you to import data from previous returns filed through other software like TurboTax, so it’s easy to make the switch.

Although state returns are not included for free in any of TaxAct’s online products, the Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed downloadable versions do come with one free state return.

Like the other providers mentioned above, TaxAct’s free version includes support for earned income tax credits, child tax credits and recovery rebate credits. After the American Rescue Plan was signed in March 2021, TaxAct began offering support for unemployment income, as well.

In terms of functionality, TaxAct comes with the same standard options as many of its competitors, as well as several useful calculators and planning tools to help identify and compensate for any potential changes in your tax situation.

For a limited time, all TaxAct users can access free one-on-one support from a CPA or other tax specialist by clicking on the "Xpert Assist" icon.

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4. Cash App Taxes

Best tax software for: Free filing from your phone

Pricing: $0 to prepare and file federal and state.

The newest tax software provider on this list, Cash App Taxes (formerly part of Credit Karma) is quickly making a name for itself among people looking to file for free — both for federal and state returns.

What’s great about Cash App is that its free filing services aren’t just limited to simple returns. Cash App Taxes can handle all major IRS schedules and forms, even those that are more complicated than average.

If you’re filing a simple Form W-2, Cash App is one of the easiest platforms to use. You can file your taxes right from your smartphone with the Cash App: Just snap a photo of your W-2 and your tax info will automatically be added to the correct fields on your return. (The app also has a number of features not related to tax filing, including peer-to-peer payments, micro-investing and cryptocurrency trading.)

Cash App Taxes will also let you import your returns from previous years even if they were completed using one of its competitors.

To top it all off, Cash App will reimburse you with up to $100 in gift cards if you find that you can get a bigger refund with one of its competitors, and it will provide free consultation, document review and assistance if you get audited.

The main downside to Cash App Taxes is that it doesn't offer the chance to have a tax pro review your return before you send it off. If your taxes will be more complicated than usual this year and you think you'll need expert advice, you may want to stick with one of the paid options on this list.

5. TaxSlayer

Best tax software for: Filers who earn less than $73,000 per year

Pricing:

• Simply Free: $0 to prepare and file federal and state.
• Classic: $29.95 + $39.95 to file state.
• Premium: $39.95 + $39.95 to file state; tax pro help included.
• Self-Employed: $49.95 + $39.95 to file state; tax pro help included.

TaxSlayer is among the cheapest options for tax software, and it’s the only company on this list that’s a member of the Free File Alliance in partnership with the IRS. That means it guarantees free filing for the majority of American taxpayers.

If you qualify for free filing by earning less than $73,000 for the year, you could get a free federal return, free state return and unlimited phone and email support — including all tax forms, schedules, credits and deductions.

TaxSlayer’s free version covers basic tax situations, including filing form 1040 and student loan interest deductions and education credits. You can easily switch from another tax service by uploading a copy of your prior year’s return.

Its Classic version supports all IRS forms, deductions and credits, and it includes audit support in case of any IRS inquiries for a year after you’ve filed.

The Premium version includes tax pro support via phone or email to answer questions about your taxes as you prepare to file. It also gets you priority standing if you need technical assistance with the program.

Self-employed workers can file both personal and business tax returns through the Self-employed version, with support for forms including 1099s and Schedule C. It also comes with tax pro support.

6. Jackson Hewitt

Best tax software for: Straightforward pricing with no surprises

Pricing: $25 to prepare and file federal and state; request a quote to have a tax pro do it for you.

Jackson Hewitt is the lone company on this list that doesn’t offer a free filing option — but it could still prove to be the lowest-price option for a lot of filers.

Users will pay a flat fee of $25 to file both federal and state taxes through Jackson Hewitt, and that covers all tax situations, no matter how complicated — all forms, all credits, all deductions.

Jackson Hewitt’s online filing service comes with a maximum refund guarantee that’ll refund your filing fee if you find a bigger tax refund with a different tax service. And once you file with Jackson Hewitt, you lock in that $25 price for the next two tax years, even if the retail price goes up.

The online DIY tax service doesn’t come with an option for tax pro help. You can instead have a Jackson Hewitt tax pro do your taxes for you by uploading your tax documents and communicating via private message online. Create an account and answer a few questions about your tax situation to get a quote.

Online vs. downloaded tax software

Most of the providers listed above offer both online and downloadable versions of their tax software.

Although both versions contain similar features, the downloadable options tend to be a bit pricier because they come with multiple federal e-files — usually around five. Some also include one state return in the price.

These e-files are only valid for one tax year but can be used by multiple people, so if your household will be filing more than one federal return, it may be worth buying the downloadable version.

On the other hand, if you’re filing just a single return, the cheaper online option is likely your best bet.

How to save money on tax software

Regardless of which provider you go with, it’s important to remember that price points for most tax software tend to increase as the deadline grows nearer.

So if you want to save some money — not to mention stress — file your taxes early this year to take advantage of discounted early bird rates.