Although TurboTax requires us to state that its Free Edition is “for simple tax returns only” and that “not all taxpayers qualify”-and even though the company recommends TurboTax Deluxe if you want to “maximize tax deductions and credits” (who doesn’t?)-we think most people should start with the Free Edition.Įven if you might have some deductible expenses, such as mortgage interest or charitable donations, it’s better to start with the Free Edition and upgrade to Deluxe only if you’re required to. TurboTax is the best online tax software because of its thorough and intelligent interview process. To file these forms with TurboTax, you have to upgrade your plan this will cost you about $59 on your federal return plus another $54 on your state return (at this writing), if you have only those additional forms to file.Ĭonfused yet? Here’s a flowchart of the options we recommend this year:

Unlike TurboTax Free Edition, H&R Block Free Online covers the student loan interest deduction and the tuition and fees statement. If you have student loan debt or college tuition payments and an otherwise simple return (say, just a W-2 and an interest statement from the bank): File with H&R Block Free Online instead.These are designed for people with incomes of $60,000 or less, people who are disabled, senior citizens, and people who speak limited English. For in-person assistance with simple tax returns, you might qualify for the IRS’s free tax-preparation services. A professional service is more expensive, but it will save you time and stress and potentially uncover hidden tax breaks that even the best tax software might not surface. If you have a very complicated return: If, for example, you’re self-employed or you have rental income or bought and sold stocks, we suggest that you skip tax software altogether and find a tax professional.But there are two instances in which we believe you should take a different route: After testing nine online tax apps, we can say with confidence that TurboTax Free Edition is the most sophisticated, accurate, and straightforward tool for the job.īecause of its superior step-by-step tax guidance, Intuit’s TurboTax has been one of our top picks since we started testing tax software, in 2013. The best tax software ensures that you get all of the credits and deductions you deserve, without dragging you through forms hell. Doing your taxes may never be fun, but the right tool can turn the worst annual chore into a manageable-and, dare we say, rewarding-afternoon.

Best computer software online for irs