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Best Tax Software: October 2024
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Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, Investing
Assigning Editor | Consumer Credit, Debt, Taxes, Retirement, Underrepresented communities
Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, small business, Social Security and estate planning, home services
Editor's Note:
Taxes are confusing enough without the added stress of figuring out which tax software to use. While you should get the same refund or bill no matter which provider you choose, tax filing programs typically come at a cost — so there’s a crucial difference between paying for what you'll use and paying extra for what you don’t need.
We did the research by testing and evaluating four well-known, widely used online tax providers. Our review process includes first-hand testing, information collection and user surveys, focusing on factors that are important to filers: price, ease of use, tools, tax pro help and customer support.
If you're new to filing or just need a little more guidance, you can also check out our tax software guide or our video on the ins and outs of picking tax software further down on the page. Prices are updated monthly and are accurate per provider as of Oct. 1, 2024.
Best tax software 2024
H&R Block: Best free tax software for simple returns
H&R Block Free
5.0
NerdWallet ratingFederal: $55 to $115. Free version available for simple tax returns only.
State: $0 to $45 per state.
Expert help is included with paid packages free of charge.
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FREE | $0 + $0 per state filed. Allows you to file a 1040 plus limited Schedules 1, 2 and 3, which makes it usable by a lot more people than most other free software packages. |
PAID PACKAGES | Deluxe $55 + $45 per state. Itemize and claim several tax deductions and credits. Works well for business income but no expenses. Premium $85 + $45 per state. For investors or rental property owners (Schedules D and E, and K-1s). Self-Employed $115 + $45 per state. For small-business owners, freelancers and independent contractors. All paid packages come with access to Tax Pro Chat and AI Tax Assist. |
Our take: H&R Block's free version has no income restrictions and covers more tax situations (e.g., unemployment income) than many other free tiers offered by the competition. The interface is easy to use and filers can upload multiple tax documents to avoid manual entry.
What we like: H&R Block Free can handle Form 1040, limited Schedules 1, 2 and 3, income from wages (W-2), bank interest (1099-INT) and dividends (1099-DIV), and student loan interest (1098-E).
What H&R Block Free can’t do: The free tier doesn't support itemized deductions (Schedule A), deductions and expenses from freelance or self-employed work (Schedule C), or HSA distributions (1099-SA).
Well-designed and user-friendly interface.
Free version offers a generous selection of tax forms.
All paid packages include access to tax pro help at no additional charge.
Downgrading your package requires calling H&R Block's support line.
Final review of your tax return requires an additional paid upgrade to Tax Pro Review.
TurboTax: Best overall tax software package
TurboTax