Best Tax Software of 2024

Who’s this for? TaxSlayer’s rates are already lower than many competitors but its packages are priced based on your tax situation and the level of support you want. If you’re a confident filer, you can save by skipping features like chat support.

Standout features: TaxSlayer has lots of features for self-employed people, including extensive FAQs, reminders about quarterly estimated tax payments and access to a tax pro with self-employed expertise

Online plans: Simply Free, Classic, Premium, Self-Employed, Military

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Who’s this for? TurboTax guides you through each step of the filing process with straightforward questions and access to explainers, videos and bonus tips. Pricier tiers come with more live support or the option of letting a professional file for you.

Standout features: TurboTax guarantees 100% accuracy and the maximum refund possible. audit support for your tax return, plus tax refund advance loans.

Online plans: Free, Live Assisted Basic, Business, Deluxe, Premium

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Who’s this for? Need help when you file? Real-time support from H&R Block’s AI Tax Assist feature, online chat with a tax professional and Worry-Free Audit Support are available with all paid tiers. If you get stressed, H&R Block also has thousands of offices nationwide for in-person support.

Standout benefits: H&R Block’s free tier lets you file both federal and state simple returns for free with no income restrictions. It covers situations many competitors don’t, including unemployment insurance and deductions for education costs.

Online plans: Free, Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed

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Who’s this for? Simple, straightforward and free, Cash App Taxes is best for DIY filers who know what they’re doing. You can file state and federal returns for free with access to nearly every IRS form and schedule, although there’s no real professional support and multistate returns aren’t supported.

Standout features: Cash App Taxes includes free audit defense with every return.

Online plans: Free

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Who’s this for? Concerned about accuracy? If you’re penalized because of a mistake TaxAct made, the company will not only refund the cost of your software and pay the difference in your tax bill, it will reimburse any penalties or interest and cover legal or audit fees up to $100,000.

Standout features: TaxAct’s Deduction Maximizer tool can suggest options for deductions based on your situation. 

Online plans: Free, Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed

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There are a lot of choices for tax-prep software, both cloud-based and desktop. Here’s what you should look for when deciding on the package that works for you.  

Ease of use

Affordability is important but if the platform is confusing or frustrating, it’s not worth saving a few bucks. Is the interface intuitive? Can you upload previous years’ tax documents? Are you guided through the process with straightforward questions?

See if there’s a walkthrough or a free trial to give it a test drive. Read customer reviews both on the website and on third-party sites like Trustpilot.

Supported tax forms

The best tax-prep software isn’t much use if it can’t process the kind of return you need to file or puts it on a pricey tier. If you have a simple return with a Form 1040 and standard deductions, almost any program can do the trick with its most basic offering. But if you’re a gig worker, collected income in several states or have investment properties, you’ll probably need a more advanced plan.

Price

Cost is always a concern, but don’t be fooled: Less-than-scrupulous companies may try to lure you with the promise of a no-cost return only to reveal you don’t qualify when you’re deep in the process.

Even if you have a simple return, you may have to pay extra to have both your state and federal returns processed.  Before shopping for tax software, assess your needs:

• Will you be itemizing or taking the standard deduction?
• Are you self-employed or have income from a lot of different sources?
• Will you need to file state returns in more than one state?
• Will you need live assistance from a tax expert? 

Your answers should guide you to the right tier and give you a more accurate price comparison.
Keep in mind the price listed on a website might not include all the charges you’ll pay. In addition, rates often rise as Tax Day gets closer.  

User support 

A good tax software platform should have calculators, explainers and video tutorials to help DIYers. You should also see what kind of live support is offered and what the charges are. Options could range from phone access to a final review by a representative to step-by-step guidance by a tax professional.

Some tax-prep software companies also have audit support from tax  professionals

Guaranteed work

All of our picks offer an accuracy guarantee, so if an error they make results in IRS fines or penalties, they’ll foot the cost. They also guarantee that you’re paying the least amount or getting the biggest return possible. If you get a larger refund or owe less after filing an amended return from another tax-prep method, they’ll refund the cost of their program.

Using a tax software program, either paid or free, is worth it for nearly half of American taxpayers.

If you have a fairly simple tax situation — you’re only reporting income from  Form W-2 and taking the standard deduction, for example — using tax software probably makes sense. If you own a business, itemize your deductions, have lots of investments or earn income from side gigs, working with a CPA could be a better way to ensure your return is accurate and that you’re receiving all the deductions you’re eligible for. 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every tax software review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax software products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.