Filing your own taxes can save you money 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 compared the major options to see which is actually worth paying for — and which ones charge $69–$188 for features you can get at $0. Note: the IRS discontinued its own Direct File tool ahead of the 2026 filing season, so it is not included in this comparison — confirm at irs.gov whether any government-run alternative has launched since.
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, no income cap |
| TaxAct | Simple returns | $45-$95 | $95+ | $55/state | Mid-range option |
| IRS Free File | 2025 AGI ≤ $89,000 | N/A | N/A | Varies | Low-to-moderate income filers |
Paid-tier pricing changes frequently and is set by each provider — confirm current pricing directly with the provider before filing.
Cost Comparison for Common Tax Situations
Scenario 1: Simple W-2 Return (Single, Standard Deduction)
| Software | Federal | State | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File (AGI ≤ $89,000) | $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 |
Paid-tier figures above are illustrative based on published list pricing and change frequently — confirm current pricing directly with each provider.
When to Use Each Software
| Your Situation | Software to Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 only, standard deduction | Cash App Taxes | Free, simple, no income cap |
| 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
| 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 a strong choice for the 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 typically save money versus paid competitors.
Best for: Filers comfortable with manual data entry who don’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, with no income cap. No tiers, no upsells. Backed by Block, Inc. (same company as Square). The trade-off: simpler interface and no brokerage auto-import.
Best for: Filers who want $0 total cost regardless of income level.
Read more: Cash App Taxes full review
TurboTax — Best Interface (Premium Price)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 (simple) / paid tiers for Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed |
| State cost | Charged per state on paid tiers |
| Live CPA option | Available at additional cost |
| 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 |
Confirm current TurboTax pricing directly with the provider — published tiers change each filing season.
TurboTax has the best interface and the best guidance for complex returns. Its brokerage auto-import saves hours for heavy investors. But it costs more than FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes handle at $0 for comparable forms. The free tier is the most restrictive in the industry — student loan interest alone forces an upgrade to a paid tier.
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) / paid tiers for Deluxe, Premium, Self-Employed |
| State cost | Charged per state on paid tiers |
| In-person offices | Thousands nationwide |
| Free tier covers | W-2 + student loan interest + retirement income at $0 |
| Live CPA option | Available |
| Desktop version | Includes state filing (often the best deal) |
H&R Block generally undercuts TurboTax’s paid tiers. Its free version covers more forms (student loans, retirement income). It’s the only major software with a large in-person office network for face-to-face help. Interface is slightly less polished than TurboTax.
Best for: Budget-conscious filers who want more guidance than FreeTaxUSA at a lower price than TurboTax.
Read more: H&R Block full review | TurboTax vs H&R Block
TaxAct — Mid-Range Option
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal cost | $0 (Free) / paid Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed tiers |
| State cost | Charged per state |
| IRS Free File partner | Yes (2025 AGI under $89,000 may qualify for free filing) |
| Biggest drawback | State filing fees can erase much of the federal savings |
TaxAct’s federal pricing often undercuts TurboTax, but state filing fees narrow the gap. The best use case: access TaxAct through IRS Free File if your AGI qualifies, for completely free filing.
Best for: IRS Free File-eligible filers (2025 AGI under $89,000).
Read more: TaxAct full review
IRS Free File — Best for Income Under $89,000
If your 2025 AGI is $89,000 or less, IRS Free File gives you access to name-brand software for free — federal and state, for the 2026 filing season. 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. This limit rose from $84,000 the year before.
Free Filing Options
IRS Free File
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Income limit | $89,000 2025 AGI (2026 filing season) |
| Providers | Multiple IRS-vetted software companies |
| State returns | Usually included free |
| Forms supported | Most common forms |
| Where to access | irs.gov/freefile |
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 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 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 likely saved money over paid competitors
- Check IRS Free File first if your 2025 income is under $89,000
- H&R Block Desktop often includes state filing — frequently the best deal at paid tiers
- Don’t pay from your refund — TurboTax and H&R Block charge a processing fee for this option
- Check for employer discounts — many benefits portals offer tax software discounts
- File early — prices often increase as April approaches
The Bottom Line
FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal, $15 state) is a strong-value tax software choice for most filers — it covers every tax form at no federal cost. Cash App Taxes is the only truly 100% free option with no income cap 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 2025 income is under $89,000, 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. “Use IRS Free File to Conveniently File Your Return at No Cost.” 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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