No pay-to-play rankings

Find Tax SoftwareYou Can Trust

Compare top solutions with transparent pricing.

5 Results

TurboTax logo

TurboTax

Top Rated

Most popular tax software. Step-by-step guidance and maximum refund guarantee.

Guided filingMax refundLive helpAudit support
4.5(85,000)
Free - $129
Visit Site
H&R Block logo

H&R Block

Tax prep with in-person option. DIY or work with a pro.

In-person optionDIYTax proAudit support
4.4(42,000)
Free - $109.99
Visit Site
TaxAct logo

TaxAct

Affordable tax filing. Good value for straightforward returns.

AffordablePrice lockImportAccuracy guarantee
4.3(18,000)
Free - $64.99
Visit Site
FreeTaxUSA logo

FreeTaxUSA

Free federal tax filing. Low cost state returns.

Free federal$14.99 stateAudit supportPrior year
4.6(15,000)
Free federal
Visit Site
Cash App Taxes logo

Cash App Taxes

100% free tax filing. Federal and state at no cost.

100% freeFederal + stateRefund advanceSimple
4.4(22,000)
Free
Visit Site
By Misha Catalano, Founder & Lead Software AnalystLast reviewed May 2026
Data verified May 2026

What is Tax Software?

Tax software helps individuals and businesses prepare, file, and manage federal, state, and local tax returns. For individuals, these platforms guide users through income reporting, deduction optimization, credit eligibility, and electronic filing with step-by-step interview formats. Business tax software handles more complex requirements including corporate returns, partnership K-1s, payroll tax filings, sales tax compliance, and estimated quarterly payments. Tax preparation features import W-2s, 1099s, and financial data from employers, banks, and investment accounts to minimize manual entry. Deduction finders scan for overlooked tax breaks based on life circumstances, occupation, and financial activities. Audit support provides documentation organization and professional assistance if the IRS questions a return. Multi-state filing handles returns for taxpayers with income in multiple jurisdictions. Integration with accounting software pulls financial data directly for seamless business tax preparation.

Key Features to Look For

Guided Tax Preparation

Walks users through tax filing with interview-style questions and real-time calculations.

Document Import

Imports W-2s, 1099s, and financial data from employers, banks, and brokerages.

Deduction Optimization

Identifies overlooked deductions and credits based on financial and life circumstances.

E-Filing & Direct Deposit

Files returns electronically with the IRS and state agencies for fastest refund delivery.

Audit Support

Provides documentation tools and professional assistance for IRS inquiries.

Multi-State Filing

Handles returns for taxpayers with income across multiple state jurisdictions.

How Much Does Tax Software Cost?

Individual tax software: TurboTax Free to $129+ (federal) plus $59/state. H&R Block Free to $110+ (federal) plus $49/state. TaxAct at $0–$70 (federal) plus $40–$50/state. FreeTaxUSA at $0 federal, $14.99/state. Cash App Taxes is completely free for federal and state. IRS Free File for AGI under $84,000. Business tax: TurboTax Business at $130–$220, H&R Block Business at $110–$150. Professional tax prep software: Drake Tax at $1,795–$2,495/year, Lacerte at $400–$5,000/year, ProSeries at $500–$2,500/year. UltraTax CS at $3,000–$10,000/year for large firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Evaluate Tax Software

VendorPick rankings are based on verified user reviews, transparent pricing data, and feature analysis — never pay-to-play placements. Vendors cannot pay to influence their ranking or placement on our platform.

Our team regularly updates pricing, features, and review data to ensure accuracy. We aggregate reviews from multiple trusted sources and weight recent reviews more heavily to reflect the current state of each product.

Have feedback or see something outdated? Let us know — we prioritize keeping our data current and trustworthy.