Best Overall: TurboTaxYou save:
FreeTaxUSA Deluxe costs $6.99 for the software, and an additional $0 for federal filing and $12.95 for state filing. The Deluxe upgrade doesn’t change the underlying software, but Deluxe users get an audit assistance guarantee. If you’re audited you’ll get personal assistance from a tax professional. Tax software can help you identify all the tax breaks you're eligible to claim. We tested seven programs to see what they do best. Top Tax Software Programs for Your 2018 Tax Return.
TurboTax is arguably the name in personal tax preparation software, and its developer—Intuit—charges accordingly. You’ll pay top dollar for this one, but users and experts alike seem to think it’s worth it. It scores kudos in almost every category, from user experience to being able to import a good many employer tax IDs. You can take pictures of your W-2s and 1099 forms rather than type in all the information they include, risking typos and mistakes. There’s an “Expense Finder” feature if you’re self-employed and must file Schedule C. It can lift potentially tax-deductible expenditures directly from your bank account and categorize them, add them up, and input them accordingly. The 2019 version will search more than 350 tax deductions and credits for you to see if you qualify after you enter your personal information.
The software engages you much as a professional would with questions and guidance, although some pop-up messages can be a bit chirpy and possibly jarring when you’re concentrating. Think comments like “You’re doing great!” interspersed with questions designed to dig your tax data out of you.
If you get confused or otherwise hit a brick wall, TurboTax offers experts to chat with if you use the online version. It also has a “SmartLook” feature that will put you face-to-face with a tax expert, and it offers audit support. And if TurboTax makes a mathematical goof? They’ll pay all associated IRS penalties on your behalf. They also offer free audit support.
Tax Software 2017 Deals
So how much will all this cost you? $79.99 if your tax situation is pretty simple. And if you act fast and file before the 2019 tax season officially gears up in late January, you can shave $30 off that. The actual cost to file is free for both state and federal returns…at least for the time being. You can expect this to increase to $39.99 for federal returns and $36.99 for state when tax season gets underway. And each time you want to do something that falls outside the “simple” range, you’ll be asked to pay for it or upgrade to a different program. Think itemizing deductions, reporting income from investments, or self-employment.
Can I still use Free File?
Yes, you can! If you filed for an extension or you still need to e-file your 2018 federal return, you can use Free File to prepare and e-file your return for free.
IRS Free File is still available through October 15 at midnight ET to prepare and file returns electronically.
Welcome to Free File, where you can prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax-preparation-and-filing software.
Let Free File do the hard work for you with brand-name software or Free File Fillable Forms.
Free Tax Software 2017
Choose a Free File option based on your income:
Income below $66,000
Free File Software
- File your taxes with free, easy to use software
- Free state return options are available
- Use the Free File Software Lookup Tool to find free federal and free state return options
Free File Software Topics
H&r Block 2017 Software Download
Income above $66,000
Free File Fillable Forms
Income Tax 2017 Software Download
- Must know how to do your taxes yourself
- Does math; offers only basic guidance
- You must have your 2017 tax return
- State tax prep is not available
Tax Software 2017 Free
Free File Fillable Forms Topics