Choosing the right tax software can simplify filing your taxes. The best tax software offers user-friendly interfaces and different levels of support to suit various needs and budgets.
Whether you are an experienced filer or tackling your taxes for the first time, these tools can help you through the process and potentially maximize your refund.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers options such as Free File to file your taxes online, but there are restrictions, so using software from a tax preparation company may be a better choice.
What Makes These 10 Tools Good for Helping You File Your Taxes in 2025?
The key factors that make up the top tax software options for 2025 are user-friendly interfaces, accurate calculations, programs for various tax situations and strong security measures to protect your data. They should strive to maximize your refund or minimize your tax liability and offer expert guidance should you get stuck.
Intuit TurboTax
About 37% of taxpayers qualify to file their taxes for free through Intuit TurboTax as long as they’re filing a Simple Form 1040.
TurboTax allows you to connect to your employer to import your W-2 into its system. You can also snap a photo or upload your documents.
The software offers step-by-step instructions and unlimited expert help to ensure you do everything right. If you do it all yourself, filing your taxes will cost you nothing. If you need expert help, you’ll pay between $39 and $149. You also have the option of having a dedicated expert do your taxes for you from start to finish for a fee of $89.
All TurboTax products include guarantees for 100% accuracy and maximum returns. The program’s CompleteCheck scans your return from beginning to end to ensure it's 100% accurate before you file.
Customers give TurboTax 4.6 out of 5 stars, with one writing, “TurboTax is very easy to use. If you do need help, online tax experts are ready to help. I would recommend using this tax filing software instead of paying hundreds of dollars in-store elsewhere. TurboTax walks you through tax preparation step by step.”
Why We Picked It: If you’re owed a refund, you can get an advance of up to $4,000 in as little as 60 seconds after the IRS approves your request.
H&R Block
About 55% of taxpayers with simple returns qualify to file their taxes for free with H&R Block’s online program, which makes it easy to upload documents from your phone, computer or tablet.
The free service is for people who report W-2 income, interest and dividend income, standard deductions, earned income tax credits, child tax credits, unemployment income, student loan interest deductions and retirement plan distributions.
The free service is not offered to self-employed people or those who have itemized deductions, rental income, capital gains and losses or business income and expenses.
If you have a more complex situation that requires live expert help, your federal return will cost $35 plus $37 for each state you file in. If you want a tax pro to complete the return for you from start to finish, you’ll pay $89.
H&R Block guarantees your return will be 100% accurate and you’ll get the maximum refund. If the IRS audits your return, H&R Block will help you understand why and guide you through the steps you need to take at no additional cost.
You can download H&R Block’s software directly to your computer to get started on your taxes.
Why We Picked It: If you find an error on your return that entitles you to a larger refund or smaller tax liability, H&R Block will refund any fees you paid and file an amended return at no cost. You must claim the return was prepared in the same calendar year and the error must not result from incomplete or inaccurate information you provided to H&R Block.
TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer provides everything you need to file a basic 1040 tax return and your state return for free – and you’ll have access to free phone and email support.
For more complicated returns, such as those for self-employed people with itemized deductions or other income adjustments, TaxSlayer offers tax return preparation options starting at $27.95.
TaxSlayer’s Classic product covers all tax situations and is the best value for the maximum refund. The program will help you find and claim all credits and deductions to get the maximum refund. The cost is $27.95 plus an additional fee for state taxes.
With the company’s Premium product, you’ll skip the line for phone and email support. Live chat and Ask a Tax Pro are also included. Certified tax professionals will help you in case of an audit for up to three years after the IRS accepts your return. The cost is $49.95 plus an additional fee for state taxes.
The Self-Employed option is best for contractors, 1099 workers, side hustlers and the self-employed. It provides IRS audit assistance and access to a tax professional with self-employment expertise for difficult questions. The cost is $59.95 plus an additional fee for state taxes.
Why We Picked It: TaxSlayer will guide you through the process to help you file quickly. You’ll also get free, unlimited phone and email support. If you’re audited, TaxSlayer will assist you for up to three years after the IRS accepts your return.
TaxAct
TaxAct offers four programs for taxpayers, depending on their situation.
If you’re a W-2 employee or on unemployment, TaxAct’s free program is suitable for filing your tax returns.
With the Deluxe program, you’ll get everything in the free program for $29.99, plus the ability to account for home ownership, child and dependent care and your health savings account.
For $49.99, TaxAct’s Premier program includes everything in the Deluxe version and lets you include stock and crypto sales, selling your home and rental income.
The $69.99 Self-employed program offers everything in the Premium version and is designed for contract and freelance taxpayers as well as business owners.
All four programs charge $39.99 for each state you file in.
TaxAct is so confident in its calculations that it backs them up with a $100k Accuracy Guarantee. If you receive a smaller refund or a larger tax liability due to a software error, TaxAct will pay you the difference, up to $100,000.
Why We Picked It: If you run into trouble, you can add Live Tax Advice to any of TaxAct’s offerings for $60. You’ll be able to speak with an expert over the phone, ask unlimited questions and receive personalized advice. You can also request a quick return review before filing your tax return.
FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA allows you to file your taxes for free directly with the IRS, and if you need an extension, you can do that for free too.
The company, which has been around for 23 years, is an IRS-approved e-file provider that has filed more than 71 million tax returns. It encrypts, secures and protects its customers’ data every step of the way.
FreeTaxUSA guarantees you’ll get the biggest refund possible as quickly as possible, and you’ll typically receive answers to your questions from experienced support agents in 30 minutes or less. You can also ask questions in the Ask the Community section of its website to get answers from tax pros and fellow FreeTaxUSA users.
You can check your refund status on the FreeTaxUSA website 24 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed tax return or four weeks after you mail your paper return.
Why We Picked It: As its name suggests, FreeTaxUSA provides free federal income tax return filing for everyone, whether you own a home, have rental income or are a freelancer. You must pay a $14.99 fee for each state you file in.
Cash App Taxes
Cash App Taxes lets you file state and federal taxes for free – no matter your tax situation.
The IRS-authorized e-file provider says most people can file in minutes from their computer or phone using its step-by-step instructions.
Cash App guarantees its calculations are accurate, and you can get your refund up to five days early by depositing it into your Cash App account.
While Cash App Taxes is not a tax adviser, you can find answers to many of your questions through Cash App Taxes Support. If you don’t find the information you need there, Cash App Taxes recommends contacting your legal or tax adviser.
Cash App offers more than tax return preparation tools. The financial services platform is a digital wallet that allows users to send, receive or save money, access a debit card, invest in stocks or Bitcoin and apply for personal loans. Last year, Cash App reported 57 million users and $248 billion in annual inflows.
Why We Picked It: Many e-filing programs offer free federal tax filing services, but usually, they charge a fee for filing state taxes. With Cash App Taxes, filing federal and state tax returns is free – even if you have 1099s from gig work, self-employment, stocks or Bitcoin.
Jackson Hewitt
Jackson Hewitt’s software lets you e-file your tax return for a flat $25 rate, regardless of the complexity of your taxes.
You can download your W-2 and employer information for accuracy and speed. The software offers Step-by-step instructions and free live chat support if you run into trouble. You can file on your computer or your mobile device, and it has built-in automatic error checking.
The software protects your data through optional two-step identity verification and encrypting it. You’ll receive alerts whenever there is activity in your account.
Jackson Hewitt guarantees accuracy and will pay any interest or penalty charges resulting from errors in its online software. It also will refund your federal tax return fees if you get a larger refund or smaller tax bill somewhere else.
Why We Picked It: Jackson Hewitt’s software simplifies preparing your return by starting your state tax return using the information provided on your federal documents to save time.
Liberty Tax
No matter what your situation is, Liberty Tax has a solution to help you file your tax returns.
The company’s Basic plan for $47.95 is best if you are single or married with no dependents and have a taxable income of less than $100,000. You can claim the standard deduction when you report W-2 wages, unemployment income or taxable interest less than $1,500.
If your tax return is a little more complicated, the $67.95 Deluxe program may be right for you if you have a taxable income of less than $100,000. Using this software, you can claim children and other dependents and report investment or retirement income. You can also itemize deductions such as real estate and property taxes, state income taxes and charitable donations.
If you’re a self-employed freelancer or contractor, Liberty Tax’s $87.95 Premium program is your choice.
Liberty Tax’s software programs charge $36.95 for filing state tax returns. You can report taxable income of more than $100,000, rental or farming income and unreported tips.
Why We Picked It: Liberty Tax offers a tax return and refund estimator to estimate the income tax withheld from your pay and keep you on the right track when preparing your tax returns.
Tax Hawk
Tax Hawk is an IRS-approved e-file provider that’s filed more than 71 million tax returns with the IRS.
All of the products Tax Hawk offers to file your federal tax returns are free – the company makes money from its state tax return and optional services customers add. And it doesn’t matter whether you are filing a basic tax return or you’re self-employed; your return is more complex. Tax Hawk has you covered.
Tax Hawk charges $15.99 for each state you file a return. Other extras include using the $7.99 Deluxe support service, which has a live chat function enabling you to chat directly with a tax specialist. At the same time, you work on your return and allows you to file unlimited amended returns at no extra cost.
Tax Hawk’s $49.99 professional support package gives you personal tax advice from a tax professional. You can share your screen with a tax pro if you need help finding something specific. You’ll also be able to schedule a phone call to talk through questions you may have.
Why We Picked It: Tax Hawk guarantees your returns are 100% accurate because it checks in real-time as you enter your tax information. Then, when you complete a part of your return, it checks again and lets you know if something doesn’t look right. It does a final check before you file with the IRS to ensure the return is correct and complete.
E-File
E-file’s software guides you through the complicated process of filing your taxes and helps you prepare your return correctly if you’re single or filing jointly. When you use the platform, you can opt for:
- Free Federal Filing
- Deluxe Software, which is designed for those with dependents, retirement plans, need additional tax forms, and more.
- Premium Software, which is best suited for those with even more complicated returns or unique income streams, coming with extra support that may be required.
You can file online or print and mail your return online, or you can reach out to their customer service team via email or phone for help.
Why We Picked It: E-file makes the tax filing process as simple as possible, offers support and ensures that you can get your taxes done, no matter how complex they may be.
How We Chose These 10 Tools to Help You File Your Taxes in 2025
We chose the 2025 tax software based on accuracy, ease of use, affordability and customer support.
Cost is a factor many taxpayers consider, so we looked at the pricing structure, including hidden fees.
We selected software appropriate for various tax situations, whether you’re a W-2 employee, self-employed or have a significant investment portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best program to use to file taxes?
The best tax filing program depends on your tax situation. Popular options include TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct.
If I have simple W-2 income and don’t itemize deductions, do I need to pay for tax software?
Probably not. Many free options for filing simple tax returns are available through companies like H&R Block and TurboTax.
What is the best tax software for self-employed people?
TurboTax Self-Employed or H&R Block are good programs for freelancers and people with more complicated tax returns.
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