Best tax software for 2027: what you will actually pay
Free editions only cover simple returns. Tell us what is on yours and we score and rank the best tier from each company that covers it, mostly on what you will pay for federal plus state.
How we score: each company’s best tier that is confirmed to cover your situation gets up to 80 points for price (federal plus your state returns; $0 earns all of them, $250 or more earns none), 15 for help from a tax expert and 5 for audit support (full points if included, half if sold as an add-on). A tier is left out if its own page doesn’t confirm it covers what you picked. Prices are each company’s published prices (2025 returns filed in 2026), checked October 15, 2026; they usually change in January. No paid placements.
- TurboTax Free Edition: score 85, $0
- FreeTaxUSA Free federal: score 85, $15.99
- Cash App Taxes Free: score 80, $0
- TaxSlayer Simply Free: score 80, $0
- TaxAct Free: score 72, $54.99
- H&R Block Online Deluxe: score 59, $114
IRS Free File: free guided software if your AGI is $89,000 or less (2025 returns filed in 2026). Some partners charge for state returns. IRS Free File
Stuck partway through? Try the software’s help center and the free options on where to get help before paying for live help. New to filing? See how to file your own taxes.
Overall scores
The overall score averages each company’s score across six common returns, with 1 state return. A company scores 0 for a return type when no tier is confirmed to cover it.
| Product | Overall | Simple return | Itemizing | Stocks or funds | Crypto | Self-employed | Rental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeTaxUSA | 57 | 85Free federal, $15.99 | 85Free federal, $15.99 | 85Free federal, $15.99 | — | 85Free federal, $15.99 | — |
| Cash App Taxes | 53 | 80Free, $0 | — | 80Free, $0 | 80Free, $0 | 80Free, $0 | — |
| TaxSlayer | 53 | 80Simply Free, $0 | 59Premium, $112.98 | 59Premium, $112.98 | 59Premium, $112.98 | 59Premium, $112.98 | — |
| H&R Block Online | 49 | 59Deluxe, $114 | 59Deluxe, $114 | 46Premium, $154 | 46Premium, $154 | 38Self-Employed, $179 | 46Premium, $154 |
| TaxAct | 45 | 72Free, $54.99 | 50Deluxe, $124.98 | 37Premier, $164.98 | 37Premier, $164.98 | 34Self-Employed, $174.98 | 37Premier, $164.98 |
| TurboTax | 41 | 85Free Edition, $0 | 47Deluxe, $143 | 28Premium, $203 | 28Premium, $203 | 28Premium, $203 | 28Premium, $203 |
All tiers and prices
| Product | Federal | Per state | Itemize | Stocks | Crypto | Self-emp. | Rental | Expert help | Audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeTaxUSA Free federalFree federal for all situations, including homeowners, investments and small businessesSource | $0 | $15.99 | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | ? | Extra | Extra |
| Cash App Taxes FreeFree federal and state, including 1099, self-employment and stock or bitcoin salesSource | $0 | $0 | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | — | — |
| TurboTax Free EditionSimple Form 1040 returns: W-2, EITC, child tax credit, student loan interest, Schedule 1-A deductionsSource | $0 | $0 | No | No | No | No | No | — | Included |
| TurboTax DeluxeItemizing and homeownersSource | $79 | $64 | Yes | No | No | No | No | Extra | Included |
| TurboTax PremiumInvestors, crypto, rental owners and self-employedSource | $139 | $64 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Extra | Included |
| H&R Block Online Free OnlineSimple returns: W-2, unemployment, retirement distributions, EITC, child tax credit, student loan interest, limited interest and dividendsState price not shown for Free OnlineSource | $0 | — | No | No | No | No | No | — | — |
| H&R Block Online DeluxeItemizing, homeowners, child care expenses, HSAsSource | $65 | $49 | Yes | ? | ? | ? | ? | Included | — |
| H&R Block Online PremiumInvestments, crypto and rental incomeSource | $105 | $49 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | Included | — |
| H&R Block Online Self-EmployedBusiness income and expenses, contractors and gig workSource | $130 | $49 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Included | — |
| TaxAct FreeSimple returns: W-2, unemployment, retirement income, EITC, child tax credit, student loan interestFree page says $54.99 per state; paid tiers say $64.99Source | $0 | $54.99 | No | No | No | No | No | Extra | Extra |
| TaxAct DeluxeHomeowners, dependent care, HSAsSource | $59.99 | $64.99 | Yes | No | No | No | No | Extra | Extra |
| TaxAct PremierStocks, crypto, home sales and rentalsSource | $99.99 | $64.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Extra | Extra |
| TaxAct Self-EmployedFreelancers, gig workers and sole proprietorsSource | $109.99 | $64.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Extra | Extra |
| TaxSlayer Simply FreeSimple tax situationsOne state includedSource | $0 | — | No | No | No | No | No | — | — |
| TaxSlayer ClassicAll forms, credits and deductions, including investors, homeowners and cryptoComparison page: state $0 to $47.99Source | $44.99 | $47.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | — | — |
| TaxSlayer PremiumClassic plus live chat, priority phone support and Ask a Tax ProComparison page: state $0 to $47.99Source | $64.99 | $47.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Included | — |
| TaxSlayer Self-EmployedSmall business owners, contractors and side hustlesComparison page: state $0 to $47.99Source | $74.99 | $47.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | — | — |
"?" means the company's page doesn't say. Add-ons such as audit defense and live expert help cost extra unless the tier includes them.
Frequently asked questions
How is the score calculated?
Up to 80 points for the total price of federal plus state returns (more for cheaper; $250 or more earns none), up to 15 for expert help and 5 for audit support, full points when included and half when sold as an add-on. The overall score is the average across six common returns; a company scores 0 for any it is not confirmed to cover.
Which tax software is cheapest?
It depends on your return. For a simple return, several products file federal and state for $0. Once you itemize, sell investments or have self-employment income, most companies move you to a paid tier, and state returns add more. Tick your situations above to see the total for each product.
Is IRS Free File really free?
IRS Free File offers free guided software from IRS partners if your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less, and each partner adds its own rules. Some charge for state returns. Free File Fillable Forms works at any income but has no state filing and little guidance.
Why do prices change?
Companies set prices for each filing season, usually in January, and many say the final price is set when you print or e-file. We show the prices published on each company's site on the date above and recheck them each season.
Do you get paid when I pick one?
Not currently: none of the links on this page are affiliate links. If that changes, those links will be labeled "Paid link", and the ranking will stay based on price and coverage only.
What if I get stuck in the software?
Every product has a free help center, and several sell live expert help as an add-on. IRS-certified volunteers at VITA and TCE sites also help for free if you qualify. See our get-help page for the full list, free options first.
Related: file it yourself · tax document checklist · tax refund calculator · get help