Tax software programs you can depend on
Guess what time it is? It’s tax season. The IRS began accepting federal tax returns on Jan. 29. If you’re ready to file your taxes, you can use online tax software to guide you through the process, and answer common questions along the way.
If you aren’t waiting on any tax forms and are comfortable filing online, completing your tax return before the April 15 deadline will help you avoid refund delays or potential IRS penalties. (You can also buy and download software to your desktop if you prefer.) The deadline to file an extension with the IRS is also April 15.
CNET has reviewed the top online tax software options for ease of use, guidance, pricing and more to help you find the best service for your tax situation. Here we offer three of our best choices for most people, but if you have specific requirements for your tax situation, check out the full list at cnet.com.
BEST TAX SOFTWARE FOR MOST PEOPLE: TURBOTAX
Recurring headlines about TurboTax’s alleged predatory marketing practices aside, the online tax servicer remains at the top of our list of best tax software in 2024. Why? Because TurboTax combines tax expertise with an easy user experience and interface that makes it accessible to both veterans and newcomers filing their taxes alone for the first time. And we haven’t found another online software that can top this tax giant — yet.
Like other online tax filing software, TurboTax will tell you exactly where to find the information it needs on your tax forms and alert you if something doesn’t look right. Where it shines, however, is how it holds your hand through the entire process. TurboTax doesn’t ask you irrelevant financial questions after learning about your tax situation upfront — an annoyance I noticed with other tax software.
TurboTax covers a range of taxpayers with its three tiers — TurboTax Free Edition, Deluxe and Premium. Should you require assistance, Turbo offers TurboTax Live Assisted and TurboTax Live Full Service, where you can ask an expert questions or hand over your taxes to a tax professional. TurboTax’s comprehensive benefits come with a higher price tag than other tax software, but for most filers — perhaps with the exception of freelancers and some investors — the price is digestible.
BEST FREE ONLINE TAX EXPERIENCE: H&R BLOCK
H&R Block has many things going for it. It’s our pick for the best free online tax filing experience, after all, thanks to the amount of IRS forms included in the option. Its paid tiers are also cheaper than TurboTax. H&R Block is also making it easier to switch from TurboTax, with Direct Import, which lets you use just your cellphone number.
While not quite as smooth as its top competitor, H&R Block features a well-designed, interview-style system that helps users avoid potential mistakes. Help screens and FAQs are comprehensive, though almost too in-depth, which could make it feel overwhelming to some.
Another big appeal of H&R Block is its brick-and-mortar presence. If you decide midway through your online tax return that you’d rather not do it yourself, H&R Block has about 9,000 offices across the U.S. available for you to set up an appointment or drop off your taxes for a professional to complete.
H&R Block is again offering users four tiers for filing their returns in 2024 — Free Online, Deluxe, Premium and Self-Employed — in addition to in-person assistance at a local branch and online help from a Live Tax Pro. If you can justify paying for H&R Block’s Deluxe, Premium or Self-Employed tiers, you’ll additionally gain access to H&R Block’s AI Tax Assist tool. The AI chatbot is a delight to use, but it’s not perfect.
BEST FOR FREELANCERS AND GIG WORKERS: TAXSLAYER
TaxSlayer’s online tax software won’t wow you — its help and support options are basic at best — but it’s our top pick for freelancers and gig workers looking to file taxes on a tight budget. TaxSlayer’s Self-Employed tier provides tax preparation support from a tax professional versed in self-employment taxes, as well as services like year-round tax payment reminders and audit defense that lasts three years.
TaxSlayer offers four levels of service — Simply Free, Classic, Premium and Self-Employed. In order to use TaxSlayer’s live chat feature and access a tax pro, you must pay for its Premium tier.
Simply Free has many restrictions, including a $100,000 cap on taxable income for the year — and you can’t claim dependents with the free version. It does include a free state return, however, which is notable since its paid tiers charge $40 per state return. TaxSlayer’s interface and help and support content isn’t as polished as other top competitors, but it’s a bargain for self-employed filers.
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