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While many people dread tax season, I find it to be an exciting time of year. I get a flurry of forms and documents telling me how much money I made over the course of a year, and I fill in the pieces of the puzzle that summarize an entire year's finances in one place.
But unlike my favorite 1,000-piece puzzle, the puzzle of my taxes comes together on my computer. And I don't do it alone. I have used TurboTax for my own taxes several times, and suggest the same to many others.
TurboTax is the biggest and most popular tax-preparation software, handling about 30% of electronic filings, according to a report from Moody's.
Here's a look at how TurboTax works, how much it costs, and who it's best for.
| Editor's rating | 4.2 / 5 |
| Review summary | TurboTax is the most expensive option for filing taxes online, but offers a high-quality user interface and access to experts. It's especially valuable for self-employed filers who use QuickBooks integration. |
| Cost of DIY filing | $0 - $129 +$59 per state return |
| Details |
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| Free version covers | W-2 income; unemployment income; retirement distributions; interest and dividend income; earned income tax credit; child tax credit |
TurboTax Frequently Asked Questions
Some of TurboTax's product support and customer service lines that are included in the cost of prep for the lower-tier products are not as helpful as they could be. The best way to get specialized help is usually to upgrade to a more expensive TurboTax Live package.
Overall, TurboTax is the most expensive way to prepare your tax return online, unless you qualify for the free option for simple tax returns only. While the platform's features justify the cost for some people, it's not the best choice if saving money on tax prep is your priority.
TurboTax packages up the things most people need to file their taxes. While some people with very complex or unique situations may feel more comfortable with the direct assistance of a tax professional, the majority of tax situations are easily covered by TurboTax.
TurboTax offers online and desktop versions of its software, with different prices depending on your tax filing needs. You can also log in and work on your taxes with the TurboTax mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
Like other tax programs, TurboTax is driven by a series of questions and answers about your household, income, and opportunities for deductions and credits. In addition to answering these questions, you'll need to add information from your employer, other income sources, and 1099, 1098, W-2, and other tax forms that may show up in your mailbox or inbox.
Yes, TurboTax really has a free option for both federal and state simple tax returns only, and you can use it at any income level when you file with the Free Edition (not all taxpayers qualify). The free version supports W-2 income, retirement account distributions, unemployment income, interest and dividend income, the earned income tax credit, and the child tax credit.
You can even start preparing your return using the free version, and if TurboTax recognizes that you'll need additional forms, it will prompt you to upgrade. Fees aren't due until you file your return, regardless of which package you choose.
All enlisted active duty military and reservists can file for free using any of TurboTax's DIY online packages.
For most tax situations, TurboTax does a great job of covering your needs. I'm a self-employed freelance writer with a mortgage, bank interest, investment accounts, and other complexities, but I feel confident doing my taxes myself with TurboTax.
TurboTax can be expensive, but you get what you pay for. That's good customer service, intuitive forms and interfaces, and confidence that you got an accurate tax refund with the maximum cash in your pocket.
However, some people with simple taxes may be satisfied with cheaper options, and some people might just feel more comfortable paying an accountant to do their taxes for them.
How Much Does TurboTax Cost?
TurboTax costs more than other tax-preparation services. Packages beyond the free version can run at least $100 total for a federal and state return.
TurboTax online offers four different ways to file your taxes, depending on your unique tax needs. With all versions except desktop computer software, you can start and enter your information for free. You only pay at the end when filing your federal and state tax returns.
| DIY online filing | DIY + expert access | Full-service expert | Computer software | |
| Federal return cost | $0 - $129 | $0 - $219 | $0 - $409 | $40 - $120 |
| State return cost | $0 - $59 | $0 - $64 | $0 - $64 | $40 |
| Federal + state | $0 - $188 | $0 - $282 | $0 - $473 | $40 - $160 |
Prices do not include any discounts.
Cost of DIY Options And What They Cover ...
- Free Edition (for simple tax returns only, not all taxpayers qualify): $0. The Free Edition covers W-2 income, unemployment income, retirement distributions, limited 1099 interest and dividends, the earned income tax credit (EITC), and the child tax credit (CTC), but doesn't allow itemizing your deductions. If you want to claim student deductions or credits, this package isn't for you.
- Deluxe: $69. Intuit advertises this as the most popular version of its software. It includes everything in the free edition plus the option to itemize your taxes and enter mortgage interest. You can also claim student deductions and credits with this package.
- Premium: $129. It covers self-employment and investments including stocks, bonds, ESPPs, crypto, and rental property income.
Extra Fees Will Apply if ...
- You need state filing. If you live in one of the majority of states that require you to do state income taxes as well, you'll have to pay an additional $59 per state. If you lived or worked in more than one state, you may have to pay for multiple state returns.
- You upgrade to TurboTax Live. For a premium price, you can pay for instant, live access to a tax expert.
- You opt for TurboTax Live Full Service: For about double the cost of filing yourself, you can hire a tax expert to take care of it all for you. The all-in cost is between $0 and $409 for a federal return.
- You pay TurboTax from your refund. If you're expecting a tax refund, TurboTax will ask if you want to use part of it to pay for its tax prep services. It sounds more convenient than pulling out a debit or credit card on the spot, but beware: a $39 processing fee applies.
TurboTax Security
TurboTax keeps your information secure with data encryption. It also requires multi-factor authentication every time you log in to verify your identity.
One of the biggest complaints about TurboTax is the ease with which it attempts to upgrade users to the next-tier product. A 2019 investigation by ProPublica found that Intuit, TurboTax's parent company, was deliberately hiding its free filing services from Google and other search engines. As of this writing, TurboTax's free file options are clearly advertised.
TurboTax is a leader in tax preparation services for a reason. Millions of people come back to TurboTax year after year because they can easily and successfully file their tax return. If you follow the directions provided and enter the numbers on your income forms correctly, you should end up with accurate taxes just as if you went to a more expensive professional tax preparer.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block
When it comes to cost, TurboTax is slightly more expensive than H&R Block, but its product is about the same. Both offer solid customer service, an easy-to-use interface, and clear instructions and guidance, though there are some variations between packages.
Beyond the free versions, here's how they stack up on cost for the DIY online filing options (not considering any discount offers):
| TurboTax | H&R Block | |
| Deluxe | $69 | $55 |
| Premium | $129 | $75 |
| Self-employed | Included in TurboTax Premium | $110 |
| Additional state return fee | $59 | $45 |
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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