Filing your own taxes can save you $200–$500 compared to hiring a CPA, and modern tax software makes it straightforward. But the pricing from TurboTax and H&R Block obscures the fact that most Americans can file for free. We tested all seven major options to see which is actually worth paying for — and which ones charge $69–$188 for features you can get at $0.
Tax Software Comparison
| Software | Free Tier | Basic/Deluxe | Self-Employed | State Filing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax | Simple returns only | $70-$130 | $130+ | $65/state | Ease of use, complex returns |
| H&R Block | Simple returns | $55-$115 | $115+ | $45/state | In-person support option |
| FreeTaxUSA | All federal returns | $0 | $0 | $15/state | Best value |
| Cash App Taxes | All returns free | $0 | $0 | $0 | 100% free |
| TaxAct | Simple returns | $45-$95 | $95+ | $55/state | Mid-range option |
| IRS Free File | Income under $84K | N/A | N/A | Varies | Low-income filers |
| IRS Direct File | Simple returns in select states | N/A | N/A | N/A | Simplest returns |
Cost Comparison for Common Tax Situations
Scenario 1: Simple W-2 Return (Single, Standard Deduction)
| Software | Federal | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File / Direct File | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cash App Taxes | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FreeTaxUSA | $0 | $15 | $15 |
| H&R Block Free Online | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TurboTax Free Edition | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Scenario 2: Itemized Deductions + Investments
| Software | Federal | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash App Taxes | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FreeTaxUSA | $0 | $15 | $15 |
| TaxAct Deluxe | $65 | $55 | $120 |
| H&R Block Deluxe | $75 | $45 | $120 |
| TurboTax Deluxe | $90 | $65 | $155 |
Scenario 3: Self-Employment (1099-NEC/1099-K)
| Software | Federal | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash App Taxes | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FreeTaxUSA | $0 | $15 | $15 |
| TaxAct Self-Employed | $95 | $55 | $150 |
| H&R Block Self-Employed | $115 | $45 | $160 |
| TurboTax Self-Employed | $130 | $65 | $195 |
When to Use Each Software
| Your Situation | Recommended Software | Why |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 only, standard deduction | IRS Direct File or Cash App Taxes | Free, simple |
| W-2 + student loan interest, HSA | FreeTaxUSA | Free federal, handles common forms |
| Homeowner with mortgage + property tax | FreeTaxUSA or H&R Block | Handles itemizing well |
| Investments (stocks, crypto) | FreeTaxUSA or TurboTax | Imports brokerage forms |
| Self-employed/freelancer | FreeTaxUSA or TurboTax SE | Deduction guidance |
| Rental property income | TurboTax or H&R Block | Complex depreciation calculations |
| Multi-state returns | H&R Block or TurboTax | Better multi-state handling |
| Want CPA review | TurboTax Live or H&R Block | Expert review available |
Individual Software Reviews
FreeTaxUSA — Best Value (Our Top Pick)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 (all forms, all situations) |
| State cost | $14.99 per state |
| Deluxe upgrade | $7.99 (priority support, audit assist) |
| Maximum total cost | $22.98 |
| Forms covered | Every individual tax form — Schedule C, D, E, crypto, HSA, itemized |
| Brokerage import | CSV import (manual) |
| Accuracy guarantee | Yes |
FreeTaxUSA is the best tax software for the vast majority of filers. It handles every tax situation — self-employment, investments, rental income, cryptocurrency, itemized deductions — for $0 at the federal level. The interface is functional but plain. You won’t get TurboTax’s interview-style hand-holding or brokerage auto-import, but you’ll save $69–$188.
Best for: Everyone who doesn’t specifically need TurboTax’s brokerage import or CPA access.
Read more: TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA detailed comparison
Cash App Taxes — Best 100% Free
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 |
| State cost | $0 |
| Forms covered | W-2, 1099, Schedule C, D, E, HSA, crypto — all free |
| Audit defense | Free (included) |
| Requirement | Cash App account needed |
| Limitation | No multi-state, some niche forms missing |
Cash App Taxes is the only major software that is completely free — every form, federal and state, $0. No tiers, no upsells. Backed by Block, Inc. (same company as Square). The trade-off: simpler interface and no brokerage auto-import.
Best for: Anyone who wants $0 total cost.
Read more: Cash App Taxes full review
TurboTax — Best Interface (Premium Price)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 (simple) / $69 (Deluxe) / $129 (Premier/SE) |
| State cost | $49–$64 per state |
| Live CPA option | $89–$409 |
| Best features | Interview guidance, W-2 photo import, brokerage auto-import |
| Accuracy guarantee | Yes (plus max refund guarantee) |
| Biggest drawback | Aggressive upselling, most expensive at every tier |
TurboTax has the best interface and the best guidance for complex returns. Its brokerage auto-import saves hours for heavy investors. But it costs $69–$188 for features that FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes handle at $0. The free tier is the most restrictive in the industry — student loan interest alone forces you to $69 Deluxe.
Best for: Complex returns (investments, rentals, stock options) where brokerage import and CPA access justify the cost.
Read more: TurboTax full review
H&R Block — Best Middle Ground
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 (Free) / $55 (Deluxe) / $85 (Premium) / $110 (SE) |
| State cost | $39–$45 per state |
| In-person offices | 12,000+ nationwide |
| Free tier covers | W-2 + student loan interest + retirement income at $0 |
| Live CPA option | Available |
| Desktop version | Includes state filing (best deal) |
H&R Block covers the same tax situations as TurboTax at $14–$44 less per tier. Its free version covers more forms (student loans, retirement income). It’s the only major software with 12,000+ offices for face-to-face help. Interface is slightly less polished than TurboTax.
Best for: Budget-conscious filers who want more guidance than FreeTaxUSA at less than TurboTax prices.
Read more: H&R Block full review | TurboTax vs H&R Block
TaxAct — Mid-Range Option
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 (Free) / $46.95 (Deluxe) / $72.95 (Premier) / $84.95 (SE) |
| State cost | $54.95 per state |
| IRS Free File partner | Yes (AGI under $84,000 = completely free) |
| Total cost (Deluxe + state) | $101.90 |
| Biggest drawback | High state filing fee makes total cost similar to H&R Block |
TaxAct’s federal pricing undercuts TurboTax, but the $54.95 state fee erases most savings. The best use case: access TaxAct through IRS Free File (AGI under $84,000) for completely free filing.
Best for: IRS Free File-eligible filers (AGI under $84,000).
Read more: TaxAct full review
IRS Free File — Best for Income Under $84,000
If your AGI is $84,000 or less, IRS Free File gives you access to name-brand software (TaxAct, TaxSlayer, others) for free — federal and state. You must start at irs.gov/freefile to access the free versions; going directly to the software company’s website gives you the paid version.
IRS Direct File — Best for Very Simple Returns
The IRS’s own filing tool — completely free, no private company involved. Currently limited to simple returns (W-2, standard deduction, some credits) in 25 states. If your return qualifies, it’s the simplest option.
Complete Price Comparison Table
| Tax Situation | Cash App Taxes | FreeTaxUSA | H&R Block | TaxAct | TurboTax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple W-2 (fed + state) | $0 | $15 | $0 | $55 | $0 |
| W-2 + student loans (fed + state) | $0 | $15 | $0 | $102 | $128 |
| W-2 + HSA + itemized (fed + state) | $0 | $15 | $100 | $102 | $128 |
| Investments/crypto (fed + state) | $0 | $15 | $130 | $128 | $188 |
| Self-employed (fed + state) | $0 | $15 | $155 | $140 | $188 |
| Rental property (fed + state) | $0 | $15 | $130 | $128 | $188 |
Free Filing Options
IRS Free File
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Income limit | $84,000 AGI |
| Providers | 7 participating software companies |
| State returns | Usually included free |
| Forms supported | Most common forms |
| Where to access | irs.gov/freefile |
IRS Direct File
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Simple returns (W-2, Social Security, standard deduction) |
| Available states | Limited but expanding |
| Cost | Free |
| Limitations | Doesn’t handle self-employment, itemizing, or complex situations |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cash App | FreeTaxUSA | H&R Block | TaxAct | TurboTax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interview guidance | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★½ | ★★★★★ |
| W-2 photo import | ✓ (mobile) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (mobile) | ✓ |
| Brokerage auto-import | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ (best) |
| In-person offices | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ (12,000+) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Live CPA option | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ (paid) | ✗ | ✓ (paid) |
| Desktop version | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (Win only) |
| Audit defense | Free | $7.99 | Paid add-on | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Accuracy guarantee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Tips to Save on Tax Software
- Start with Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA — if they handle your return, you’ve saved $69–$188
- Check IRS Free File first if your income is under $84,000
- H&R Block Desktop includes state filing — often the best deal at paid tiers
- Don’t pay from your refund — TurboTax and H&R Block charge a $39 processing fee
- Check for employer discounts — many benefits portals offer TurboTax / H&R Block discounts
- File early — prices often increase as April approaches
The Bottom Line
FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal, $15 state) is the best tax software for the vast majority of filers — it covers every tax form at no federal cost. Cash App Taxes is the only truly 100% free option if you want $0 everything. TurboTax is only worth its premium for complex returns where brokerage auto-import and CPA access save time. H&R Block splits the difference with lower prices than TurboTax and an excellent free tier. If your income is under $84,000, start with IRS Free File.
For the cheapest filing options, see our best free tax software guide.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service. “Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free.” irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
- Internal Revenue Service. “IRS Direct File.” directfile.irs.gov
- Internal Revenue Service. “Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers (VITA/TCE).” irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
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