Tax programs offering best value, low price

Filing your taxes may be the last thing on your mind, but the April 18 deadline will creep up on you before you know it. The best tax software can help you start organizing and preparing your taxes now, so you can file quickly and get your refund faster.

We reviewed seven of the top tax software options for 2023 to figure out which options provide the best value for the lowest price, offer an easy-to-navigate interface and make tax filing as simple and painless as possible.

TurboTax, H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt are among the top of CNET’s list of best tax software for 2023, but there are other options that may work for you as well. Read the full list at cnet.co/ 3XM9lMS. tence of brick-and-mortar offices. 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. to set up an appointment or drop off your taxes for a professional to complete.

TurboTax or H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt’s flat rate of $25 for one federal return and unlimited state returns is tough to beat. Unlike most competitors, which offer different tiers of service depending on your tax situation, Jackson Hewitt Online lets you file for one price, regardless of how complicated your taxes are.

Jackson Hewitt Online offers free IRS audit assistance and a lifetime accuracy guarantee to protect against unexpected penalties or interest.

Its stripped-down service comes with some drawbacks, though. Its website lags behind competitors — there’s no option to upload files or tax forms — and it’s also light on support.

If you want more one-on-one attention, you can file at a participating Walmart location or visit one of its offices to file with a tax pro (prices vary depending on your filing situation and state of residence).

Tax preparers Donna Tuke, from left, and Hersi Suleiman from the Center for Economic Progress help Jerome Artis with his tax return at the Evanston Public Library in Evanston, Illinois.