Best Tax Software for 2022
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Taxes are confusing enough without the added stress of figuring out which tax software is the best tax software. So we did the research to help you choose the ideal option to file taxes online. We focused on well-known and widely used tax-preparation software, and while the tax code is the tax code, there’s a crucial difference between paying for what you'll use and paying for stuff you don’t need.
Best tax software providers
Promotion: NerdWallet users get 25% off federal and state filing costs. | |
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Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to $15 on TurboTax. | |
Promotion: NerdWallet users get 35% off federal filing. |
These star ratings are based on a tax provider's free tier score. For more detailed scoring, see below. Providers frequently change pricing. You can verify the latest price by clicking through to each provider's site.
A quick note on how to choose tax software ...
There are many software providers out there, and each one offers different packages for different taxpayers. When choosing, it's likely most helpful to start with your individual needs.
Best software for simple returns
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FREE | $0 + $0 per state filed. Allows you to file a 1040 plus schedules 1 and 3, which makes it usable by a lot more people than most other free software packages. |
PAID PACKAGES | Basic Online Assist $69.99 + $0 per state. Free version plus access to a tax pro for help and advice. No final review. Deluxe $49.99 (Online Assist: $109.99) + $44.99 per state. Itemize and claim several tax deductions and credits. Works well for business income but no expenses. Premium $69.99 (Online Assist: $159.99) + $44.99 per state. For investors or rental property owners (Schedules D and E, and K-1s). Self-Employed $109.99 (Online Assist: $194.99) + $44.99 per state. For small-business owners, freelancers and independent contractors.
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What H&R Block Free can do
Form 1040 and schedules 1 & 3, income from wages (W-2), income from bank interest (1099-INT) and dividends (1099-DIV), student loan interest (1098-E).
What it can’t do
Itemized deductions (Schedule A), deductions and expenses from freelance or self-employed work (Schedule C), HSA distributions (1099-SA).
» Learn more in our H&R Block review.
Best software for ease of use
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FREE | $0 + $0 per state filed. For simple tax returns only, see if you qualify; it allows you to file a 1040 and a state return for free, but you can’t itemize or file schedules 1, 2 or 3 of the 1040. |
PAID PACKAGES | Live Basic $0 (state included). Free version plus access to a tax pro, advice and a final review until March 31. Deluxe $59 + $49 per state (Live: $119, $54). Itemize and claim several tax deductions and credits. Works well for business income but no expenses. Premier $89 + $49 per state (Live: $169, $54). Deluxe version plus investment reporting and rental income (Schedules D and E, and K-1s). Self-Employed $119 + $49 per state (Live: $199, $54). Premier version plus business income, expenses on a Schedule C, home office deductions and features for freelancers. |
What we like
TurboTax’s software feels like an interview with a tax preparer who knows just what to ask and how best to guide you.
What makes TurboTax easy to use?
TurboTax has an interview-style Q&A experience and a wide range of functionality and tools that make entering information easy. Help is easy to access, and explanations are clear and authoritative.
» Learn more in our TurboTax review.
Best overall paid package
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FREE | $0 + $39.95 per state filed. For dependents, simple filers who need help with college expenses, unemployment or retirement income. All filers get free live tax advice from a tax pro until April 7. |
PAID PACKAGES | Deluxe $46.95 +$54.95 per state filed This option is ideal for homeowners and those who need to consider childcare expenses, student loan payments, deductions, credits and adjustments. Premier $69.95 + $54.95 per state filed Premier is good for investors who need to report capital gains and losses and those who have sold a home or own a rental property. Self-Employed $94.95 + $54.95 per state filed This tier is good for freelancers, contractors and small-business owners. Includes access to Schedule C and Schedule F. Promotion: NerdWallet users get 25% off federal and state filing costs. |
What we like
TaxAct offers a strong platform with a small price tag.
What makes TaxAct the best paid package?
TaxAct gives every user, regardless of tier, free access to its Xpert Assist tax help service until April 7. This also gets you a free professional review of your return before you file. TurboTax is the runner-up for this category.
» Learn more in our TaxAct review.
More about tax software providers
If you don't know what you need — or how much you need to pay for — it might help to examine the providers individually and what sort of experience each one offers. Here are a few areas to dig into:
User experience: Software that feels like an interview — asking questions about your income and any live events that might allow for deductions — offers more guidance than a basic fill-in-the-blank process. The ability to import forms such as W-2s is better than having to manually type in numbers.
Support options: Most tax software offers a searchable FAQ section or knowledge base, and some offer video tutorials or user forums to help answer questions. One important differentiator has been one-on-one help from a human tax pro, live on your screen. Depending on the provider, these pros might be able to give you tax advice or review your whole tax return before you file. (This sort of help may come with an extra charge.) Audits are unlikely for most taxpayers, but if you think you’re at risk and want to purchase protection, you should understand what your software provides.
Availability of tax forms: If you find a provider that excels in the areas above, you then want to choose their package that covers all the tax forms and schedules you need.
If your tax situation is more complicated, don’t despair — you still might be able to get free tax software from some of these providers through the IRS's Free File program if your adjusted gross income for 2021 was $73,000 or less.
» Want all the details? Read our reviews of TurboTax, TaxAct, H&R Block and TaxSlayer.
When you need some help
Sometimes you just need to talk to a human. If you want help from a real person as you make your way through your return, you have several good options.
If you start the process and realize you don't want to fuss with tax software (or taxes at all, for that matter), there are options for that too.
No matter how hands-off you want to be come tax time, most providers can give you access to assistance.
I have tax questions and need help:
I want someone to do my taxes for me:
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I have tax questions and need help:
I want someone to do my taxes for me:
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I have tax questions and need help:
I want someone to do my taxes for me:
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I have tax questions and need help:
I want someone to do my taxes for me:
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NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks the largest online tax software providers. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of available software to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
We collect data directly from providers, do first-hand testing and observe provider demonstrations. Our process starts by sending detailed questions to providers. The questions are structured to equally elicit both favorable and unfavorable responses. They are not designed or prepared to produce any predetermined results. The provider’s answers, combined with our specialists’ hands-on research, make up our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance.
The final output produces star ratings from poor (1 star) to excellent (5 stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star. For more details about the categories considered when rating tax software and our process, read our full methodology.
