The best TurboTax alternative is FreeTaxUSA. It offers tax filing at zero or minimal charges. Plus, it gives many options for tax deductions that most of the software offered at much higher prices. Other alternatives include H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Credit Karma Tax, Liberty Tax, and IRS.
The eFile.com Tax App is tested by the IRS each year, thus we guarantee you 100% tax calculation accuracy and the biggest tax refund allowed by law on any tax return prepared and filed on eFile.com and accepted by the IRS. Period.
H&R Block is best known for in-person tax services, but also offers highly rated online-filing options. TurboTax is also a top option, especially if you use QuickBooks as a self-employed person. Both services have high-quality user interfaces and offer access to experts. You won't go wrong with either choice.
TurboTax - Best Tax Software Overall
Tax filers like its easy-to-use interface and question-answer survey when completing taxes. TurboTax offers four versions of its software, from free to Self-Employed.
Turbotax, Tax Act and H&R Block gave us different results. "Sometimes just looking at your documents and doing them on paper first is the best way to check to make sure the software is working for you," said Leahy. In our tests, the average difference on a federal refund was 100 dollars.
Doing your own taxes takes time and patience. If you don't have either, it might be worth hiring a tax professional — but know it will be more expensive. Also consider a tax pro if you have multiple sources of income or significant assets.
Pay for TurboTax out of your federal refund: A $39 Refund Processing Service fee applies to this payment method.
TurboTax charges up to $119 for federal tax filing ($49 per state) for its highest “do-it-yourself tax” package. Other programs, such as TaxSlayer, charge up to $47.95 for federal tax filing ($36.95 per state) for a similar package. Along with its easy-to-use platform, TurboTax has excellent customer service options.
100% Accurate, Expert Approved Guarantee: If a TurboTax expert made an error while giving you specific tax advice, the company will take care of the IRS or state penalty and amend your return for free.
TaxSlayer: costs and fees. The bottom line: TaxSlayer is cheaper than TurboTax. There's no way around that. Both TurboTax and TaxSlayer offer free and paid versions depending on the complexity of your tax situation.
Most people choose to use the online service. TurboTax reported that 80% of the returns it handled came from its online products. When you have a choice between buying the software you install on your computer and paying to use the service online, you are better off buying the software download.
H&R Block and TurboTax each charge an additional processing fee of $40 if you agree to pay through your refund. That's $40 on top of the fee you're paying for the package you selected, meaning you could easily double what you expected to pay.
TurboTax maker will pay $141M in settlement over ads for free tax-filing Under a settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Intuit Inc. will suspend TurboTax's "free, free, free" ad campaign and pay restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers.
Overall, TurboTax is the most expensive way to prepare your tax return online, unless you qualify for the free option. 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.
Not only could a scam tax preparer steal your refund, but he or she could also use your personal information to get government benefits or loans in your name.
Using TurboTax will save you money.
You'll still pay more by using TurboTax than you would if you completed all the tax forms on your own. Thanks to the IRS website, you can fill out, then submit your forms electronically, without a fee.
According to the National Society of Accountants' 2018–2019 Income and Fees Survey, the average tax preparation fee for a tax professional to prepare a Form 1040 and state return with no itemized deductions is $188. Itemizing deductions bumps the average fee by more than $100 to $294.
If your tax return is simple, an RTRP is fine, but if you need someone who can handle more complexity, hiring a CPA might be smart. There is so much a good CPA can do to increase your refund or have a more strategic tax return. “So many people think a tax return is what it is,” says Kohler.