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The Top 10 Best Tax Software of 2024

Michael Graw
Tax Software Charticle

Doing your own taxes is usually a headache, but it doesn’t have to be. With the best tax software, you can easily spot deductions, figure out what forms you need to file, and automate complex tax worksheets. Tax software can even help you file your taxes online so you can get your refund sooner.

We reviewed dozens of platforms to bring you the top 10 tax software available in 2024. 

Check out the following table to see our top picks and find out which tax software is right for you.

  • TurboTax Full Service -
  • TurboTax Free Edition -
  • H&R Block Online -
  • Liberty Tax -
  • E-file.com -
  • Keeper Tax -
  • Taxfyle -
  • TaxAct -
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A Closer Look at the Top 10 Best Tax Software

  • 1
     TurboTax Full Service

    TurboTax Full Service

    • Best forChoosing between self-filing and professional guidance
    • Base priceFree (~37% of taxpayers qualify. Form 1040 + limited credits only.)
    • Key forms supported1040; Schedules 1,2, and 3; Schedules A, B, C, D, and E; Schedule EIC Schedule SE

    If you’re nervous about completing your tax return, TurboTax’s flexible services could help put your mind at rest, as well as saving you significant time and effort. With 3 plans, the platform allows you to complete your taxes yourself or receive guidance from its advisors. TurboTax offers an impressive audit guarantee service, which will provide you with free support should your return trigger further scrutiny from the IRS. Likewise, the company promises to pay any penalties you face as a result of a mistake on its part, plus interest. Whether TurboTax is a worthwhile investment for you will probably come down to your level of confidence in filing your tax returns or the complexity of your affairs. 

    It's important to keep in mind that roughly 37% of filers qualify for filing a Form 1040 return with limited credits, meaning they can submit their tax returns using only the IRS Form 1040, without the need to attach additional forms or schedules. This eligibility simplifies the filing process for these taxpayers.

    Pros
    • Full service available
    • Multi-factor/biometric authentication
    • Audit guarantee service
    Cons
    • Cheaper alternatives to paid plans
    • Poor reviews on Trustpilot
  • 2
    TurboTax Free Edition

    TurboTax Free Edition

    • Best forQuick and easy self-filing with 100% accurate calculations
    • Base priceFree (~37 of taxpayers qualify. Form 1040 + limited credits only)
    • Key forms supported1040 and Schedule EIC

    If you’re nervous about completing your tax return, TurboTax’s flexible services could help put your mind at rest, as well as save you time and effort. The platform allows you to complete your taxes yourself in a matter of minutes. While TurboTax has a poor rating on Trustpilot, it does offer an impressive audit guarantee service, which will provide you with free support should your return trigger further scrutiny from the IRS. Likewise, the company promises to pay any penalties you face as a result of a mistake on its part, plus interest.

    With the free version of its software, you will be able to easily file simple returns and get the maximum refund.

    Pros
    • Free version available
    • Multi-factor/biometric authentication
    • Audit guarantee service
    Cons
    • Cheaper alternatives to paid plans
    • Poor reviews on Trustpilot
  • 3
    H&R Block Online

    H&R Block Online

    • Best forClients with both simple and complex tax filing needs
    • Base price$0, $29.99, $49.99, or $84.99
    • Key forms supportedForm 1040; schedules supported depend on plan purchased

    H&R Block is a large tax preparation company offering both free and paid tax filing software. The software is highly rated, earning a 4.4-star average review among 350,000 past customers, and is priced competitively against other offerings. 

    Its 4 plans include a $0 version for students and W-2 employees with uncomplicated tax returns, a $29.99 offering for those who want to itemize their deductions (to claim HSA contributions and dependent care deductions), a $49.99 option for investors and landlords to report investment and rental income, and an $84.99 plan for solopreneurs, gig workers, freelancers, and the self-employed. For state filings, the company charges $0 for the free plan and $36.99 per state on all paid plans. Clients who want extra help can also purchase live tax help for $39.99. 

    H&R Block also features two mobile apps—a year-round version for on-demand tax advice and a tax prep app for tax season. Clients who want to engage in longer-term tax planning can also pay for personalized, 1-1 services with a tax professional, who can ensure clients make tax-optimal decisions throughout the year.

    Pros
    • Robust and feature-rich free version available
    • Tax filing software is intuitive and user-friendly
    • Offers unlimited live, on-demand help for a nominal fee
    Cons
    • Blog and tax help resources somewhat difficult to find
    • Add-on state tax return filings are expensive
  • 4
    Liberty Tax

    Liberty Tax

    • Best forPeople who might need in-person support with filing taxes
    • Base price$44.95
    • Key forms supported1040, 8853, 4562, 8829, 4136, 8839, 4684, 4835

    Liberty Tax offers both in-person and online tax filing services. To complete your return online, you can choose from 3 packages depending on the complexity of your tax situation. For extra help, you can get support from a virtual tax pro, or go in-branch for more help. Plus, you can use the Liberty Tax app to upload and manage your return. 

    Although you should be aware of some negative customer feedback, Liberty Tax’s apps are highly rated and should help you file your taxes without hassle. Plus, Liberty Tax’s professionals will check your return before filing is completed. If you’re looking for a hybrid solution with both online and in-person solutions for getting your taxes done, Liberty Tax could be worth consideration.

    Pros
    • Use the app to make online filing easier
    • Connect with a virtual tax pro or go in-store for help
    • Useful calculators and tools
    Cons
    • Poorly rated by some customers
    • More expensive than some competitors
  • 5
    E-file.com

    E-file.com

    • Best forSelf-employed users looking for a bargain on their tax return, but not looking to work with a professional accountant
    • Base priceFree (Federal), $21 (State)
    • Key forms supported1040, 1099, W-2

    E-file.com is self-guided tax return software. It’s great if you feel comfortable completing a complex tax return and want to save money on a paid tax software. It comes with three pricing levels, Free, Deluxe, and Premium. The Free version lacks some common features like deductions for dependents, and income under the free version is capped at $100,000. It is also worth noting that only Federal tax returns fall under the pricing tiers. State tax returns with E-file have a flat fee of $21, regardless of the price you paid for the federal return.

    On the other hand, E-file charges much less than competing brands for its paid tiers, which unlock features like business income, credit schedules and itemized deductions. One feature that E-file lacks entirely is review by an accountant. This means that it is best suited for users that are comfortable doing their own taxes without outside help. If you are self-employed or have lots of complex deductions, and are comfortable doing your own taxes, give E-file a try.

    Pros
    • Deluxe and Premium tiers are cheaper than comparable competitor products
    • Free federal return available
    • A+ BBB rating
    Cons
    • No assistance from an accountant
    • No free state return
  • 6
    Keeper Tax

    Keeper Tax

    • Best forSoloprenuers, gig workers, and the self-employed
    • Base price$14 per month
    • Key forms supportedSchedule C of Form 1040 (for an $89 filing fee per year)

    Keeper Tax helps 1099 contractors keep track of their business expenses so they can maximize their deductions and minimize their tax bill.

    Solopreneurs using Keeper Tax simply link their bank accounts and payment cards with the app, and the platform will automatically categorize past and future transactions, identifying business-related expenses and keeping a record of them. From this point onwards, the app will do the heavy lifting. Users can simply run it in the background, and Keeper Tax will capture and make note of business expenses autonomously.

    When it comes time to file taxes, users can claim and deduct every business-related cost recorded by the app, deductions they might otherwise have missed. Existing clients can even pay an $89 add-on fee to have Keeper Tax automatically file their taxes for them.

    While it’s not for multi-employee companies or rapidly scaling firms, Keeper Tax stands as a robust, decently affordable option for the self-employed, elegantly and painlessly taking away the stressors and headaches of bookkeeping and taxes.

    Pros
    • Simple, automatic expense tracking and bookkeeping
    • Hands-off, hassle-free experience once it’s set up
    • Simple pricing structure means fewer surprises
    Cons
    • Single offering means features don’t scale with your business
    • Unappealing to those already separating out their business finances
  • 7
    Taxfyle

    Taxfyle

    • Best forAssisted tax filing
    • Base price$70
    • Key forms supportedAll

    Taxfyle is a platform designed to connect you with a tax professional to assist with all your tax return preparation and filing needs. It works with hundreds of fully-qualified partner accountants, covering everything from individual tax returns to business and foreign filings. 

    When you work with Taxfyle, you will be connected with a professional based on your requirements. Its packages are affordable, and there’s an attractive mobile app that enables you to upload documents from your mobile device. It’s easy to get started—just work through the questionnaire and get an obligation-free quote. 

    Why we chose Taxfyle: We chose Taxfyle because of its large network of highly-qualified tax professionals and streamlined assisted tax services. 

    Our experience: We found Taxfyle very easy to understand and use. We particularly liked the user-friendly onboarding process and intuitive questionnaire. 

    Pros
    • Large network of tax professionals
    • Great help center
    • Covers all types of tax filings
    Cons
    • Limited live support
    • No choice over the accountant you partner with
  • 8
    TaxAct

    TaxAct

    • Best forIndividuals, property owners, and small businesses looking for a seamless tax filing experience
    • Base price$0
    • Key forms supportedForm 1040; schedules supported depend on plan

    TaxAct offers online tax filing services via desktop or mobile app. With 4 filing options and free expert tax help at all plan levels, TaxAct is a great choice for a variety of filers. While TaxAct may not be as fancy or offer as many features as some other products, it offers competitive prices and a streamlined, simple process for completing your taxes. 

    TaxAct goes above and beyond with its Xpert Advice service, which gives customers of all levels free access to a tax expert who can answer questions and review their filings. The Xpert Full Service is another unique feature offered by TaxAct, and while it isn’t free, it’s a great option for those who don’t want to deal with the stress of doing their own taxes. 

    While TaxAct does have some negative reviews from TrustPilot and BBB, its $100k accuracy and maximum refund guarantee should give you peace of mind. 

    Pros
    • Offers step-by-step structure that makes filing taxes easy
    • Free expert tax help
    • More affordable than similar products
    Cons
    • Fewer tools and features than other tax software
    • Doesn’t offer an advance on your refund

What is a tax software?

Tax software is software that’s designed to walk you through the process of calculating and filing your taxes. It can do many different things, including:

  • Determining what forms you need to file
  • Helping you find deductions
  • Automatically entering itemized receipts
  • Calculating your tax owed
  • Filing your local and state taxes

While tax software isn’t a replacement for a professional accountant, it simplifies the process of figuring out your taxes on your own. Also, using tax software is typically much cheaper than going to an accountant.

Notably, most modern tax software is sold on a subscription or annual basis. You’ll pay a small amount to use the software this tax season and then pay again next year. This works well because tax software has to stay up to date as state and federal tax laws change. Every year, the software will have updated tax tables, mileage rates, and other factors that can impact your return.

How to choose the right tax software for your needs?

Picking which tax software is right for you comes down to several different factors.

Complexity of your return

The first thing to consider is how complex your tax return is. If you work at a company and don’t have a side business, your return will likely be relatively easy. But if you have multiple income streams or own a business, your return will be much more involved. It’s crucial to ensure that the tax software that you choose can support all the calculations and forms that you need.

User experience

Another thing to consider is how experienced you are at doing your own taxes. Certain tax software is designed to be beginner-friendly and will guide you through every step of the filing process. For example, you might be presented with questionnaires rather than blank forms to fill out.

However, more advanced tax software might assume that you’re already familiar with common tax forms. You’ll need to be comfortable figuring out what forms you need and how the different tax worksheets fit together.

Support options

Whether you can get support from a professional accountant when you need it is also an essential factor to think about. Some tax software platforms offer free advice, while others have accountants standing by for an additional fee. Popular software packages may also have online forums where you can get help from other users.

Cost

The point of using tax software as opposed to an accountant is to save money. So, cost matters when comparing tax software. Be sure to check whether there are additional fees for filing with your state or the federal government and whether there’s a money-back guarantee if you can’t make the software work for you. Many tax software platforms will let you calculate your taxes for free, and you only pay when it’s time to file.

How does tax software work?

Tax software works by taking the tax forms from the IRS and transforming them into a format that makes sense to everyday people, not just tax professionals. Most tax software use a series of questionnaires to understand your financial situation, income streams, and potential deductions. Based on your responses, the software will determine what tax forms you need to submit and help you fill them out.

Depending on what software you use, you may never even see the tax forms that are submitted to the IRS. Instead, you’ll simply be asked to answer basic questions and provide numbers for your income and expenses. Once you’re finished, the software will display a user-friendly summary of your income, deductions, and tax liabilities.

Finally, tax software can file your taxes electronically on your behalf. Most software can file both federal and state taxes. You can make a payment directly through the software if you owe money, as well as enter your payment details if you’re eligible for a refund.

Tax Form Glossary

Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most common forms that individuals will file with their taxes.

1040

Form 1040 is the individual income tax return form. In essence, it’s the master form that every individual in the US needs to submit to the IRS. This form will have your name and address, your income, the sum of all your deductions, the total tax that you owe, and the total that you’ve already paid through quarterly taxes and withholdings. At the end of Form 1040, you will include your payment details to pay your tax bill or the details for how to receive your refund.

W-2

Form W-2 is provided by your employer. It lists your wages and any other compensation that you’ve received over the past year, including tips. It also lists your federal and state withholdings, which is money that you’ve already paid out of your salary toward your tax bill. If you don’t have Form W-2, contact your employer—you should get one W-2 from each employer that you’ve had over the past year.

1099-INT

Form 1099-INT is where you report interest income. This is typically used to report interest on money that you have in the bank.

1099-DIV

Form 1099-DIV is where you report dividend income. This is typically used to report dividend payouts from stocks.

1098-E

Form 1098-E is where you report interest that you paid on a qualified student loan so you can deduct this interest from your taxes. This form is provided by your loan servicer if you paid more than $600 in interest over the past year.

1098-T

Form 1098-T is where you report qualified educational expenses, such as tuition, enrollment fees, and course materials. These expenses are eligible to be used as deductions. Form 1098-T is provided by your college or other educational institutions.

Schedule A

Form 1040 Schedule A is used for itemized deductions if you decide not to take the standard deduction. It includes categories for medical expenses, taxes, interest payments, charitable gifts, losses due to theft, work expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.

Schedule C

Form 1040 Schedule C is used to report your profit or loss from your business if you are self-employed and have a sole proprietorship. Most people who file Schedule C also need to file Schedule SE, which is used to calculate self-employment taxes.

FAQs

Should I use tax software or hire a CPA?

Whether you should use tax software or hire a tax professional comes down to whether you want to do your own taxes or have someone else take care of them for you. Tax software makes doing your own taxes easier, but it still requires effort on your part.

What day are taxes due in 2024?

The deadline for filing your 2021 taxes is April 18, 2023.

What happens if I miss the tax deadline?

If you miss the deadline to file your taxes and haven’t filed for an extension, the IRS can charge you a penalty. The penalty is 5% of the taxes that you owe for each month that your return is late, up to a maximum penalty of 25%.

Michael Graw
Michael Graw is a freelance writer specializing in finance, business, and tech who writes for Top10.com. His work has appeared in numerous well-known online and print publications, including Techradar, BestMoney, Business2Community, Day Trade Reviews, Pacific Standard, Fortune, Business Insider, and more.