Though all levels of TurboTax offer support in the instance of an audit, this perk can be particularly valuable for freelancers and other self-employed types who may face increased IRS scrutiny. Finally, small businesses that use QuickBooks accounting software will find it easy to import their financial information into TurboTax, which can make filing easier. TaxSlayer doesn’t offer as many ways to prepare your taxes as TurboTax, but its self-preparation plans are cheaper and just as effective. Both companies offer access to expert assistance with paid packages. But easier navigation and quick importing of data from financial companies and expense trackers are features that give TurboTax a slight edge over TaxSlayer.
Filing state taxes are an additional cost, depending on the state. H&R Block has something for everyone, whether you’re filing online yourself, looking for expert advice, or want to hand it off to a professional. While it doesn’t offer the lowest prices you’ll find for tax software, the quality of the overall user experience can justify the higher cost. TurboTax generally costs more than other tax-preparation services.
TurboTax vs. H&R Block
You will have access to AI tax assistance and the community forum for questions. You’ll get the TurboTax guarantees, such as the Maximum Refund Guarantee and the 100% Accurate Calculations Guarantee. More complicated returns won’t qualify, and you could pay up to $119 for the federal return and $59 per state return. Instead, they’ve organized it by the level of “assistance” you need. From there, the final amount you’ll pay is determined by how complicated your taxes are. At no added cost to you, some of the products mentioned below are advertising partners and may pay us a commission.
TurboTax Pricing on Amazon
Before you start, look at the various deductions you plan to take and income you have to report. That way, you won’t be surprised into buying a more expensive version of TurboTax halfway through. Not only does it tally up your estimated bill or refund, but it also provides a detailed breakdown of what factors are currently affecting it.
You can also pay an additional fee to move to Full Service and have your tax return prepared for you. Before filing your return, a tax pro will schedule a time to review it with you. The key difference between Live Assisted and Live Full Service, the final tier, is you will not have consistent access to an assigned tax expert throughout the entire process. Instead, there will be a wide array of tax experts who can answer your questions but won’t review your same case from start to finish.
You simply answer questions, and your return gets filled in behind the scenes. You’ll get a chance to confirm that the package you’re recommended is the one you would like to choose before you move on. If you’re in that uncomplicated group for which the free version is sufficient, that’s great news for you.
They can’t see you, but you can see them and you can share your screen and they can help with your return. As the deadline to file your income taxes approaches, perhaps you’re struggling with the decision of whether a free do-it-yourself filing service is sufficient. Or if its worth paying for an upgrade to sniff out the maximum deductions. As it turns out, the answer has a lot to do with the source(s) of your income and the complexity of your personal situation.
- TurboTax Premium also includes tools for tracking tax deductions and credits, ensuring that users take advantage of all eligible tax benefits.
- That way, you won’t be surprised into buying a more expensive version of TurboTax halfway through.
- TurboTax has an accuracy guarantee that ensures customers are compensated for any fees from the IRS or their state in the event of a math error attributed to the company.
- With its intuitive design and variety of human support options, TurboTax is, in many ways, the standard for the do-it-yourself tax-prep industry.
Audit Support Guarantee
There’s also seamless integration for self-employed filers who use Quickbooks to keep track of expenses and tax payments. You can use the app to snap a pic of your W-2 and other documents and your information will be automatically entered in your return. It’s important to note that the mobile app doesn’t have access to the print center or tax tools. As of March, the IRS reported the average direct deposit tax refund this year is $3,330. With that much money on the line, it’s important to use a tool that checks for errors and helps you file with confidence. During the process, a banner at the top of the screen keeps a running tally of your estimated federal and state refund or amount due.
TurboTax Pricing & Packages
TurboTax Free Edition supports a simple Form 1040 and no schedules except for the earned income tax credit, child tax credit and student loan interest. Confident filers may not need all the bells and whistles that most TurboTax online products offer, but some people may find the streamlined program and the availability of human help worth the extra cost. Assisted gives you unlimited access to a tax professional as well as informational audit support.
The software effectively checks for errors and potential missed deductions in real-time, with a completion meter showing progress throughout the filing process. Filing taxes is one of the most dreaded tasks of the year for most of us, but with online tax turbotax advantage cost prep services like TurboTax, it doesn’t have to be. TaxSlayer’s Premium or Self Employed versions offer tax assistance, but it’s limited to guidance. Remember, you can always file for free, if you’re eligible, through the IRS portal.
This article was expert reviewed by Sheneya Wilson, MS, MBA, CPA, an accountant and CEO of Fola Financial. Get a 10% Discount on TurboTax Online Tax FilingGet your taxes done right and save an additional 10%. TurboTax software can be downloaded directly from the TurboTax website, or purchased from popular retailers like Costco and Best Buy, both online and in-store.
The company offers an accuracy guarantee and says it will pay IRS and/or state penalties and interest charges related to underpayment of taxes due to calculation errors. If it’s determined that you entered information improperly, the guarantee does not apply. For freelancers and self-employed individuals, there are also free tax software options like FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes, which can handle self-employment tax forms like 1099-K and 1099-MISC.
State filing fees ($49 per state) are significantly higher than competitors, resulting in a cost-per-feature ratio of $3.28 vs. industry average of $1.95. Our TurboTax review looks at where TurboTax excels and how much it costs so you can decide whether you might want to file with it in 2025. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. With TurboTax Advantage, you can pre-order your TurboTax software and how you want to receive it (download or CD-ROM).
- With TurboTax Premium, users can sync their accounts to automatically find self-employment deductions and import crypto transactions for effortless reporting.
- Been audited once (years ago), only because I crossed the IRS threshold on charitable contributions, and came through squeaky clean.
- Unless otherwise stated, each offer is not available in combination with any other TurboTax offers.
- Prices range from $39-$159 based on the complexity of your tax return.
- Here are some of the various ways you can find answers and guidance when filing your return with TurboTax.
This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. When it comes to preparing your taxes, TurboTax is not the only company out there. There are plenty of TurboTax alternatives, and they’re worth taking a look at. If you want some assistance with your return, you can choose the Live Assisted tier. Federal returns are between $0 and $209, and state returns are between $59 and $64. I’m trying to understand what the benefits of Turbotax Advantage are for the added cost.
It’s worth evaluating your options to see what might work for you. The paid packages — the Deluxe and Premium — fall on the more costly end of the spectrum. Some people may not need support beyond TurboTax’s excellent user interface, but those who want a bit of extra help from a tax pro will need to upgrade to another package type — Live Assisted. This year, we’ve rated TurboTax as the best tax software provider overall. They topped our list as the best for free filers, best for overall filing experience and best for ease of use. Many personal finance apps specialize in specific tasks like saving money, earning a high-interest rate, paying bills, and potentially earning spending rewards.
