Best tax software for

TurboTax offers a variety of pricing plans. Fees for all plans are only due at the time of filing. Read our full TurboTax review. Users get a similar interface that walks them through the tax preparation process, popup explanations, and the ability to have a return reviewed by an accountant for an extra fee. It also offers a free plan for simple tax returns like TurboTax but with the added benefit of being able to file Schedule 1 through 3 forms which allow users to report business income, alimony, deductible student loan interest, and more.

All plans include on-demand chat, screen sharing, and an online help center. TaxSlayer offers a simple interface like most of the providers we reviewed. Unlike other providers, TaxSlayer offers limited options to access accountants or professionals who can review a tax return. Read our full TaxSlayer review. Like its competitors, Credit Karma lets users import a previous return from other software and a photo of a W-2 and then walks them through the rest of the process using a series of questions and prompts.

Individuals filing in multiple states or who receive funds from a trust or estate need to look elsewhere. As a free service, Credit Karma offers no phone support. It does, however, include audit defense for its customers which includes consultation from a representative in the event of an IRS audit who will also attend a hearing on their behalf.

Read our full Credit Karma Tax review. We like Jackson Hewitt because it offers a huge network of locations for both online and offline preparation tax help. It lets users import a W-2 and tax returns filed with Jackson Hewitt but not its competitors and then walks them through the filing process through a series of questions with explanatory popups. Any questions and issues are resolved online or over the phone giving customers the experience of working one-on-one with a professional without having to enter an actual office.

Jackson Hewitt has done away with multiple plans for online filers. With this service, customers can work with a tax consultant to help with IRS-related problems including back taxes, tax notices, and property liens and levies. The service comes with a free consultation, and additional pricing varies based on your needs. TaxAct offers nothing new feature-wise than most other tax software programs. Users can import W-2 forms as well as previous returns from other software and then use an online help wizard to answer questions and file their return.

Despite its simplicity, TaxAct offers free and unlimited phone, email, and online chat support. TaxAct offers a free plan for simple returns and support as well as three paid plans which can handle increasingly complex tax filings and offer additional support options. Read our full TaxAct review. Its automatic imports and easy-to-follow prompts make it a winner. Plus, if you get stuck, you can upgrade to have a tax pro take over your preparation for you.

If you have a lot of forms or more complicated taxes, TurboTax is a top choice. Support options: Most tax software offers a searchable FAQ section or knowledge base, and some offer video tutorials or user forums to help answer questions. One recent differentiator has been one-on-one help from a human tax pro, live on your screen. Depending on the provider, these pros might be able to give you tax advice or review your whole tax return before you file.

This sort of help comes with an extra charge. Availability of tax forms: If you find a provider that excels in the areas above, you then want to choose their package that covers all the tax forms and schedules you need. Quick facts. New human-support options available at an extra cost. Free version has a fee for state returns. It may not be as fancy in some ways, but you can get on-demand, on-screen access to a tax pro like the other guys offer, and the data-entry process is similar to most of the competition.

Live, on-screen support option offers human help at extra cost. Some of the most expensive software on the market. TurboTax is generally pricier than everything else out there, but even though confident filers may not need all the bells and whistles that most TurboTax online products offer, many people will find the experience and the availability of human help worth the extra cost.

Free version is an option for more people than competing free versions. Access to tax pros on demand at an added cost. Still, its free version is one of the best on the market, the interface is straightforward and easy to use and on-screen help from a human is available for an extra cost. Prices are based on level of support rather than level of functionality. A bargain compared with bigger-name competitors. Fewer real-time support options — especially face-to-face ones — than some competitors offer.

In other words, the cheapest paid package handles all the same tax situations and forms that the most expensive package handles — what changes is how much help you can get. If you want to take tax breaks for things like owning a home or deduct state and local taxes. If you want to report income and losses on investments or rental property. If you are self-employed. Many of us have had to learn to do more and more things online last year.

Working with a tax pro can be another one. Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details. Upstart Personal Loans. LightStream Personal Loans. SoFi Personal Loans. We may receive a commission from affiliate partner links. Click here to read more about Select. Click here to read our full advertiser disclosure. We may receive a commission when you click on links for products from our affiliate partners. What happens if I miss the tax deadline? How much does it cost to file taxes?

Simple tax return vs. Learn More. On TurboTax's secure site. Terms apply, see below for our methodology. Credit Karma is in the process of selling its tax software business , and it remains unclear what this would mean for consumers.

In December , the Department of Justice settled with Liberty Tax for not taking steps to prevent the filing of fraudulent returns prepared by its franchisee stores. We reviewed each of the tax online software to determine the following best categories:.

Best Free Online Tax Software. For best free online tax software, we analysed which provider offered the most impressive overall package of features while also charging no fees for federal and state tax return filings, lacked income or filing status restrictions, and offered the broadest selection of tax filing forms.

An easy-to-use platform is most important for many users. Self-employed, freelance workers generally have more complicated income tax filings. Ensuring that online tax software caters to the special needs of freelancers and self-employed individuals is essential at tax time.

We determined if the online tax software provider offered phone, live chat, email, or help articles for users, and evaluated each option. Also, we contacted customer service departments by phone to evaluate its hold time and customer service quality.

Each category was weighted and scored feature by feature. The author, a certified public accountant CPA with over 20 years of taxation experience, completed all tax software testing by opening accounts with each provider to perform hands-on evaluations. Ease of use, costs and fees—including free options—and customer service are the three broad areas to look at when choosing the best platform for you.

We know filing your tax return might be challenging. However, some tax software providers can help you ease through the process. Before selecting a tax software provider, consider the following questions:. Selecting a product that not only fits your needs but does not break your budget is key.

It is a good idea to review the price of each product and consider the following:. If you have a simple tax return, including a W2 and a few tax deductions, you may be able to file your taxes for free.

Many tax online software providers offer an advertised free tax filing version for simple returns on their website. If you need extra hand-holding while completing your tax return, make sure your review support options.

Here is a listing of questions to consider before selecting your product:. If you reside in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas , you may have more time. The IRS announced residents of these states now have until June 15, to file their tax returns due to recent storms. If you need more time to file, make certain to file an extension to extend the tax due date to October 15, —although be aware that any taxes that you owe the IRS will still be due on May But while these tax online products do provide limited free filing options, many of the same providers partnered with the IRS Free File Program to offer a different free product for those who may qualify.

Your AGI is your total income minus certain deductions. Before using this service, you should browse each product offering to see which free product works best for you. While this program has been in existence since , you may not have heard of it. Since online tax software providers donate these services, they advertise them very little. The main difference? Here are some scenarios where you should consider hiring a tax pro:.

Tax online software providers may allow you to complete simple tax filings at no cost. In addition to the federal cost filing, you may expect a cost to file your state tax return.