Both offer solid customer service, an easy-to-use interface, and clear instructions and guidance, though there are some variations between packages. Some of TurboTax’s product support and customer service lines that are included in the cost of prep for the lower-tier products are not as helpful as they could be. The best way to get specialized help is usually to upgrade to a more expensive TurboTax Live package. TurboTax Self-Employed can be upgraded to TurboTax Live Self-Employed. The upgrades gives customers access to unlimited tax advice and an expert final review.

You’ll pay absolutely nothing to file your federal and state taxes if you have a simple tax return only. Start by easily importing your W-2, answer simple non-taxy questions about your life, and we’ll get you your maximum refund. Business ttps://turbo-tax.org/ or 1099-NEC income is not covered by TurboTax Free Edition. Only simple tax returns qualify for free filing through TurboTax. From the beginning, TurboTax Self-Employed makes it easy to determine which plan is right for you.

Our pick for most tax filers: TurboTax Free Edition

TurboTax, a product of the financial, accounting and tax software provider Intuit, is practically synonymous with DIY tax preparation, partly because it’s been around for nearly 40 years. TurboTax offers an abbreviated free version that works well for consumers who don’t itemize their taxes or plan to take any specialized deductions or credits. Make sure you understand the limits of free tax software here. But we do have to make money to pay our team and keep this website running!

• Like some competitors, TurboTax tries to streamline and accelerate data entry where possible.
• If you want to file online but still have access to a tax professional for questions, you can add tax assistance to any plan for $85 for federal .
• The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships.
• TurboTax packages up the things most people need to file their taxes.
• The optional Race Mode in the top of the screen allows you to track time spent on your tax return.
• Overall, TurboTax is the most expensive way to prepare your tax return online, unless you qualify for the free option for simple tax returns only.

The bulk of the page is reserved for the site’s actual data-gathering questions and answers. Two icons open a pane that slides over from the right and thankfully does not obstruct your view of the current page. Another link opens a page containing information about upgrading to TurboTax Live Assisted Self-Employed. TurboTax security specialists work with the IRS and state revenue departments to prevent fraud. This dedicated staff is constantly monitoring the site and performing internal checks and external tests. Stored data is always encrypted, as is your return when it’s transmitted to the IRS and state agencies.

Provide ongoing value

Intuit also makes a software called Quickbooks, which millions of companies use to manage their accounting. But TurboTax is also popular because it offers a user-friendly design and straightforward step-by-step guidance. Intuit, the Silicon Valley software giant behind TurboTax, doesn’t provide the only way to file your taxes electronically, but it has captured the market share like no other. It has the same tax topics as the browser-based version, so you can prepare and file even a complex return from your phone.

• So if your finances are simple, the biggest consideration is exactly what forms you need to file, because H&R Block includes more forms and schedules with its free plan.
• While the platform’s features justify the cost for some people, it’s not the best choice if saving money on tax prep is your priority.
• If you start and pause the process on one device, it’s easy to resume the process where you left off on another.
• You can check the company’s website to see current offers.
• Designed for small business owners and sole proprietors, it costs $119 plus $59 for a state filing.
• After another round of testing, we still recommend TurboTax Free Edition and H&R Block.

We previously recommended IRS Free File tax software provided by Intuit TurboTax. Currently, the IRS offers its Free File service through seven providers, including OLT and FileYourTaxes.com, which we do not recommend. But since we haven’t tried them all yet, we don’t feel comfortable recommending any of them. H&R Block’s interview process and guidance are nearly as good as TurboTax’s.

It’s more expensive than other tax software

If you pay for your tax filing service from your refund, it could make that refund larger. TaxAct E-File Concierge™ service provides phone calls and related support regarding federal e-file status changes using the phone number provided in My Account. Service is subject to availability and limited to federal e-filed tax returns. H&R Block and TurboTax both offer a free option for filers with simple returns.

TurboTax Self-Employed takes a path similar to the one you’d take if you were working your way through Form 1040. It first asks about income, then deductions and credits, then other tax situations. As you move into the income section, the site asks questions about income you might have. Once you create an account or sign in with an existing one, the website helps you select the correct tier of service for your 2022 taxes. It displays several life situations, such as owning a home, having children, selling stocks, paying off student loans, and so on. Based on your answers, the website recommends the most appropriate edition of TurboTax.

Some IRS Free File providers do charge a fee for state tax preparation. Any state tax preparation or non-qualifying fees must be disclosed on the provider’s IRS Free File landing page. TurboTax Deluxe includes a search of more than 350 tax deductions and credits to find all qualifying tax breaks. And should an unexpected form arrive late, this software lets you make changes to your 2021 tax return, online, up to three years after it’s been filed and accepted by the IRS. Getting audited is scary, so it’s important to know what kind of support you’re getting from your tax software. First, be sure you know the difference between “support” and “defense.” With most providers, audit support (or “assistance”) typically means guidance about what to expect and how to prepare — that’s it.

• This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks.
• TurboTax offers four product tiers — Basic, Deluxe, Premier and Self-Employed — depending on the complexity of your return and how much live help you want.
• The TurboTax app is designed well enough that you really can do it.
• If you live in one of the majority of states that require you to do state income taxes as well, you’ll have to pay an additional $49 per state.

TurboTax packages up the things most people need to file their taxes. While some people with very complex or unique situations may feel more comfortable with the direct assistance of a tax professional, the majority of tax situations are easily covered by TurboTax. Editor’s rating4.2 / 5Review summaryTurboTax is the most expensive option for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It’s especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration. TurboTax provides four levels of software for the simplest to most complicated tax returns.

Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. After entering an income total, I moved on to expenses. TurboTax displayed a list of five common turbotax options expense categories for my profession on the next screen with examples of expenses for each. I checked the applicable ones, and TurboTax walked me through the process of reporting those expenses.

CoinTracker gives you real-time access to your market value, investment performance, and portfolio allocation for tax reasons. They make your transaction history searchable and filterable across all crypto services. CoinTracker optimizes cost-basis accounting techniques automatically, allowing you to tax-loss harvest your portfolio, and save hundreds of dollars each year. You can make better deals with more visibility into tax lots. An ITIN is an identification number issued by the U.S. government for tax reporting only.