9 Best Tax Software of 2026

1. 1

   FreeTaxUSA

   Online tax preparation service from TaxHawk with free federal filing for every tax situation and a flat state fee.

   9.0overall

   Online tax preparation service from TaxHawk with free federal filing for every tax situation and a flat state fee.

   Best forFilers with investments, rentals or 1099 income who want to avoid tiered upgrades

   Adoption data

   82 millionFreeTaxUSA says it has filed more than 82 million returns with the IRS since it launched in 2001.

   FreeTaxUSA (TaxHawk, Inc.), FreeTaxUSA llms.txt company overview (2026): “The service supports 900+ tax forms, has filed 82M+ returns with the IRS, and is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars from 604K+ customer reviews.”

   FreeTaxUSA, run by TaxHawk since 2001, charges nothing for the federal return no matter how complex it is. Its own overview lists basic, advanced, investment and self-employed returns under the same free federal product, and says complex federal returns are never forced into an upgrade. The cost sits on the state side, at $15.99 per state, plus optional services: Deluxe support at $7.99, Pro Support with CPA and EA access at $44.99, and Audit Defense at $19.99. The company reports more than 82 million returns filed with the IRS and a 4.8 rating from over 604,000 customer reviews, which makes it the largest low-cost alternative to the big two in our data. It supports 900+ forms and prior-year returns back to 2019. The trade-off is service: chat and priority support are paid add-ons, and there is no in-person network. For filers who can work through the software alone, the total cost is usually the state fee and nothing else.

   Strengths

   • +Complex federal returns, including Schedule C and Schedule E, stay free
   • +82M+ returns filed and 4.8 stars from 604K+ customer reviews
   • +Add-ons are priced individually, so you only pay for what you pick

   Limitations

   • −Every state return costs $15.99, so multi-state filers pay per state
   • −Live chat needs the $7.99 Deluxe add-on
   • −Tax professional help is a separate $44.99 purchase

   SummaryFreeTaxUSA is the best tax software for most do-it-yourself filers because every federal return is free and a state return costs $15.99. It ranks first on our weights by pairing 82M+ returns filed with the lowest paid price for complex returns.

2. 2

   H&R Block Online

   H&R Block's do-it-yourself tax software, backed by its tax office network and optional pro review.

   8.6overall

   H&R Block's do-it-yourself tax software, backed by its tax office network and optional pro review.

   Best forFilers who want a free simple return and the option of a pro review or an office visit

   Adoption data

   22 millionH&R Block says 22 million clients worldwide trusted it last year, across assisted and do-it-yourself filing.

   H&R Block, H&R Block homepage (2026): “22 million clients worldwide trusted Block last year”

   H&R Block Online is the main alternative to TurboTax for filers who want a big brand with people behind the software. The company says approximately 52% of filers qualify for its Online Free Edition, which covers W-2 income and limited interest and dividend income up to $1,500. Paid tiers (Deluxe, Premium and Self-Employed) include unlimited expert help, AI Tax Assist and live support, and Tax Pro Review can be added to any do-it-yourself return at any stage. H&R Block reports that 22 million clients worldwide used it last year, a figure that includes its tax offices. We could not confirm USD prices for the paid online tiers from this location because the page loads them dynamically, so check the price at sign-up. On documented features it is close to TurboTax, and its free tier is wider, but it scores below the leaders on value until paid prices are confirmed.

   Strengths

   • +Free Online covers more filers than TurboTax Free Edition by the vendors' own estimates (52% against 37%)
   • +Unlimited expert help comes with every paid online tier
   • +Physical office network as a fallback

   Limitations

   • −USD prices for paid tiers load dynamically and could not be confirmed here
   • −Free Edition caps interest and dividend income at $1,500
   • −The 22 million client figure mixes office and online customers

   SummaryH&R Block Online is the best choice for filers who want a free simple return with a path to human help, because about 52% of filers qualify for its Free Edition and every paid tier includes unlimited expert help. Confirm paid prices at checkout.

3. 3

   TurboTax

   Intuit's tax software for individuals, with do-it-yourself, expert-assisted and full-service options.

   8.6overall

   Intuit's tax software for individuals, with do-it-yourself, expert-assisted and full-service options.

   Best forFilers who want the most guidance and the option to bring in a tax expert

   Adoption data

   39.0 millionIntuit reported 39.0 million total U.S. TurboTax federal units in fiscal 2026, down from 39.9 million in fiscal 2025, including 34.9 million online units.

   Intuit Inc. (SEC Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.01), Intuit Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2026 Results (2026): “Total U.S. TurboTax Units 39.0 39.9 (2)%”

   TurboTax is the market's reference product: Intuit's fiscal 2026 results show 39.0 million U.S. federal units, 34.9 million of them online, far more than any other DIY brand here. The software covers simple returns in a Free Edition that Intuit says roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify for, then moves to Do It Yourself Deluxe at $79 for federal, with state additional. It imports W-2 and 1099 data from more than a million participating employers and financial institutions, runs a CompleteCheck review before filing, and lets you switch to Expert Assist or hand the return to Expert Full Service. That ladder of help is the main reason to pay more. The weak point is price: the same Deluxe return costs several times what FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer charge, and Intuit's own unit count slipped 2% in fiscal 2026. We compared documented features and published prices; TurboTax wins on scale and guidance but loses points on value.

   Strengths

   • +Largest user base in this list: 39.0 million U.S. federal units in fiscal 2026
   • +Clear path from self-filing to expert help or full service
   • +Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 199,201 customer reviews on its online page

   Limitations

   • −Deluxe starts at $79 for federal alone, with state additional
   • −Free Edition is limited to simple returns, and investment sales force an upgrade
   • −Intuit's own unit count fell 2% year over year in fiscal 2026

   SummaryTurboTax is the best choice for filers who want guided software with an expert on call, because it is the only option here that runs from a Free Edition up to full-service filing at 39.0 million U.S. units. Budget filers pay much less elsewhere.

4. 4

   Cash App Taxes

   Free federal and state tax filing built into Block's Cash App.

   8.5overall

   Free federal and state tax filing built into Block's Cash App.

   Best forCash App users who want to pay nothing for federal and state returns

   Adoption data

   12 millionCash App Taxes says it has filed more than 12 million returns without charging a filing fee.

   Cash App Taxes, Inc., Cash App Taxes (2026): “Over 12 million returns filed, all for $0”

   Cash App Taxes is the only product here that charges nothing for both the federal and the state return, and its page says that holds for every tax situation, including stock or bitcoin sales and self-employment income. The company says it has filed more than 12 million returns without charging anyone a filing fee. It includes accurate calculations and max refund guarantees, and refunds deposited into Cash App can arrive up to 5 days early. The catch is the account: you need to download Cash App and sign up before you can file, though you can then work on a phone or a computer. There are no paid tiers with expert help, so filers who want a professional to review their work must look elsewhere. It ranks fourth because its feature set is narrower than the paid suites, even though nothing beats it on price.

   Strengths

   • +$0 for both federal and state returns
   • +Over 12 million returns filed
   • +No upsell tiers to compare

   Limitations

   • −You must download Cash App and create an account to use it
   • −No paid expert review tier is offered on the taxes page
   • −The early refund perk depends on depositing into Cash App

   SummaryCash App Taxes is the best free tax software for filers comfortable without expert help, because both federal and state returns cost $0 in every situation. You need a Cash App account to use it.

5. 5

   TaxAct

   Taxwell's consumer tax software with do-it-yourself, expert help and full-service options.

   8.2overall

   Taxwell's consumer tax software with do-it-yourself, expert help and full-service options.

   Best forFilers who want a lower-cost alternative to TurboTax with an accuracy guarantee

   Adoption data

   111 millionTaxAct says more than 111 million returns have been filed with its software since 1998.

   Taxwell (PR Newswire), TaxAct Introduces Claude Connector, Bringing More Connected AI Experiences to Tax Preparation (2026): “TaxAct is a leading U.S. tax software provider with more than 111 million returns filed since 1998.”

   TaxAct, now part of Taxwell, sits between the market leaders and the budget filers. The company reports more than 111 million returns filed since 1998, and its 2026 releases describe do-it-yourself filing, expert help, Xpert Full Service and a small business option. It backs returns with a $100K Accuracy Guarantee and a Maximum Refund Promise, and it has added an AI assistant (TaxAct Intelligence) plus a Claude Connector that can compare filing options and pricing, estimate a refund and point to where a form goes in TaxAct. We could not load TaxAct's USD price page from this location, so its price is marked pending and its value score is conservative. On documented features it covers the same ground as TurboTax and H&R Block for most individual filers, with a smaller user base.

   Strengths

   • +More than 111 million returns filed since 1998
   • +$100K Accuracy Guarantee is among the largest documented here
   • +Credentialed U.S.-based experts available

   Limitations

   • −USD prices could not be confirmed from this location, so check at sign-up
   • −Fewer users than TurboTax or H&R Block
   • −Only a cumulative return count is published, not a yearly figure

   SummaryTaxAct is a good choice for filers who want full-featured software with a $100K Accuracy Guarantee, backed by more than 111 million returns filed since 1998. Check the current price at sign-up.

6. 6

   TaxSlayer

   Low-cost online tax software with one Classic price for all tax situations.

   7.9overall

   Low-cost online tax software with one Classic price for all tax situations.

   Best forFilers with complex returns who want every form for one low federal price

   TaxSlayer keeps pricing short: Simply Free covers a federal and one state return for simple tax situations, Classic costs $19.99 and includes all forms, credits and deductions, and Premium costs $39.99 and adds live chat, skip-the-line phone and email support and Ask a Tax Pro. The company says Classic already includes every form you need and that upgrades only add support. For a filer with investments or rental income, that makes TaxSlayer one of the cheapest paid routes after FreeTaxUSA. Its main weakness in our ranking is adoption: TaxSlayer says it is trusted by millions but publishes no specific user or return count we could cite, so we scored that factor conservatively. State returns are extra on the paid tiers, which matters for filers who would otherwise qualify for FreeTaxUSA's free federal return.

   Strengths

   • +$19.99 Classic covers every tax situation
   • +Simply Free includes a state return
   • +Premium support costs $39.99

   Limitations

   • −No published user or return count, so adoption is scored conservatively
   • −State is extra on Classic and Premium
   • −Simply Free is limited to simple tax situations

   SummaryTaxSlayer is the best low-cost pick for complex returns that need every form, because Classic covers all tax situations for $19.99 federal. It ranks lower here only because it publishes no user count.

7. 7

   Jackson Hewitt Online

   Jackson Hewitt's do-it-yourself software with one flat fee for federal and state returns.

   7.7overall

   Jackson Hewitt's do-it-yourself software with one flat fee for federal and state returns.

   Best forMulti-state filers who want a single flat fee and an office network to fall back on

   Adoption data

   5,100 locationsJackson Hewitt reports more than 5,100 franchise and company-owned locations in the US, including 2,600 in Walmart stores.

   Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., Jackson Hewitt seeks 15,000 seasonal employees nationwide (2026): “Jackson Hewitt has more than 5,100 franchise and company-owned locations nationwide, including 2,600 in Walmart stores”

   Jackson Hewitt Online has the simplest price in this list: $25 total, with the page stating $25 federal and $0 for states regardless of complexity or how many states you file in. A Transparent Pricing Guarantee refunds anything above $25, a Maximum Refund Guarantee refunds federal fees if another provider produces a larger refund, and a Lifetime Accuracy Guarantee covers software errors. You only pay when you file. Jackson Hewitt does not publish a separate count of online filers; its scale shows up in its office network, more than 5,100 franchise and company-owned locations including 2,600 inside Walmart stores. That network is a useful fallback but not part of the $25 product. For someone filing in two or three states, the flat fee can undercut FreeTaxUSA and TaxSlayer once their per-state charges are added.

   Strengths

   • +$25 covers federal plus every state return
   • +Price does not rise with complexity
   • +5,100+ offices if you later want in-person help

   Limitations

   • −No permanent free plan
   • −No published count of online users; adoption is based on office footprint
   • −The online page lists no expert review tier inside the $25 product

   SummaryJackson Hewitt Online is the best choice for multi-state filers because federal and every state return cost $25 in total. Single-state filers with simple returns can pay less elsewhere.

8. 8

   1040.com

   Flat-rate online tax filing from the makers of professional tax software for tax offices.

   7.6overall

   Flat-rate online tax filing from the makers of professional tax software for tax offices.

   Best forFilers who want one price with every feature and no tier decisions

   Adoption data

   150 million1040.com says it has processed over 150 million tax returns in the last 10 years through its online and professional products.

   1040.com, About Us (2026): “Processed over 150 million tax returns in the last 10 years via online and professional products”

   1040.com charges one flat rate of $34.99 for everyone, covering federal and state returns with every feature included. Its pricing page lists email and chat support, W-2 import from a database of over 1 million employers, prior-year data carryover and three years of secure storage, and you can preview the completed return before you pay. Optional add-ons include audit assistance from Protection Plus at $34.95. The company traces its roots to professional tax software first built in 1977 and says its online and professional products processed over 150 million returns in the last 10 years, though that figure mixes in returns filed by tax offices. The flat price is easy to budget, but a simple single-state filer will pay less at FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer or Cash App Taxes.

   Strengths

   • +Same price for every filer
   • +Pay only after previewing the finished return
   • +Backed by professional software used in 60,000+ tax offices

   Limitations

   • −$34.99 is more than FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer Classic for a single state
   • −No free plan
   • −Audit assistance is an optional extra at $34.95

   Summary1040.com is the best choice for filers who want one known price with no upgrades, because every feature costs $34.99 including state. Cheaper options exist for simple single-state returns.

9. 9

   ezTaxReturn

   Online tax filing service with free simple federal returns and one price for everything else.

   6.5overall

   Online tax filing service with free simple federal returns and one price for everything else.

   Best forSimple filers who want a free federal return and phone callback support

   ezTaxReturn has two federal prices: free for filers who qualify for a simple return, and $44.99 for everyone else. It includes free 7-day U.S.-based support by callback or email and says a return can be e-filed in as little as 30 minutes. The company says it has helped millions of people file over more than 25 years, but it publishes no specific user count we could cite, so its adoption score is conservative. Its $44.99 paid price is higher than TaxSlayer Classic ($19.99), Jackson Hewitt Online ($25) and 1040.com ($34.99), and its documented feature list is shorter than the larger suites. It suits simple filers who want phone callback help without paying for an upgrade, and it makes less sense for anyone with a complex return.

   Strengths

   • +Simple federal returns cost $0
   • +Support is free every day of the week
   • +One price above the free tier

   Limitations

   • −$44.99 federal is the highest paid entry price among verified prices in this list
   • −No published user or return count
   • −Fewer documented features than the larger suites

   SummaryezTaxReturn is a reasonable pick for simple filers who want free federal filing with phone callback support. Complex filers pay $44.99 federal, more than most rivals here.

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