If you have a laptop and an internet connection, you can use tax preparation software to prepare and file taxes at home in your pajamas. Even better, you might be eligible for free tax services, too. So if you’re wondering which product — and which version of that product — is best for your tax planning needs, you can find out here.
GOBankingRates has broken down six leading tax-preparation software products and services — including free options — and included their prices so you can find the best one for your needs. Help for taxpayers is out there — and it can be pretty cheap, too. Depending on your financial situation, you can even get access to free tax software. Here are a few tax preparation software reviews to consider as you research the best tax software and filing options for your 2016 return.
TurboTax Review
Perhaps the best-known professional tax software on the market, TuboTax is by no means the least expensive. It’s a popular choice, because you don’t have to be a tax pro to use it. It offers great features that make it easy to use such as the ability to input your W-2 by snapping a picture of it with your phone or tablet. Also, if you’re unlucky enough to get audited, TurboTax offers free, one-on-one advice. You can also sync your online info to other devices so you can access it anywhere, anytime — so you can even do your taxes at the beach.Another cool TurboTax feature is SmartLook, which is included with most of the products. With SmartLook, a live TurboTax expert answers your questions and even virtually draws on your screen to make sure his answers are clear.
TurboTax Pricing
Depending on the version of software you choose, you could pay nothing or up to $127 or more to do your taxes through TurboTax. Here’s how much using the TurboTax software will cost you.Online Versions
- Federal Free Edition: $0, plus $0 for state returns — designed for those using 1040EZ or 1040A forms
- Deluxe: $34.99, additional $36.99 per state — designed for those whose taxes include mortgage or property tax, itemized deductions, donation deductibles, etc.
- Premier: $54.99, additional $36.99 per state — designed for filers with investments and rental property
- Home and Business: $89.99, additional $36.99 per state — designed for small business owners and independent contractors who use Schedule C
Downloadable and CD Versions
- Basic: $29.99, additional $39.99 per state, plus $24.99 for state e-file; free federal e-file
- Deluxe: $59.99, one free state, $39.99 for each additional state; $24.99 to e-file the state return
- Premier: $89.99, one free state, $39.99 per additional state; $24.99 to e-file state return
- Home and Business: $99.99, one free state, $39.99 per additional state; $24.99 to e-file state return
TurboTax Pros:
- Sophisticated software with a lot of bells and whistles
- Live chat help
- Optional audit advice
TurboTax Cons:
- Costs more than some competitors’ software
- Program might allow incomplete tax forms and missing information
- Some forms and schedules possibly not supported
H&R Block Review
Another familiar name in the tax-preparation game, H&R Block’s online software offers many great features — such as snapping a photo of your W-2 to input your financial data. H&R Block also offers a guarantee that you’ll receive the maximum refund possible. Like TurboTax, you can download the software or file online, or you can choose to visit a brick-and-mortar office.H&R Block’s tax software comes with free, unlimited chat support, and to expedite your return, you can import data from your 2015 tax return into your return for tax year 2016. If you do choose to visit a branch location for your tax preparation, you could qualify for an interest-free advance of up to $1,250 against your refund.
H&R Block Pricing
See if you can afford the H&R Block’s tax preparation fees for filing. How much you’ll pay ranges from $0 to $79.95 and up.Online Versions
- Free: Free federal and state returns — designed for first-time tax filers or simple tax returns
- Deluxe: $34.99 federal, $36.99 for each state return — designed for homeowners with deductions
- Premium: $54.99 federal, $36.99 for each state — designed for investors or small business owners
Downloadable Software Versions
- Basic: $19.95, $39.95 state; $19.95 state for additional state e-file
- Deluxe and State: $34.95; includes one state, plus $19.95 for additional state e-file
- Premium: $64.95; one free state, $19.95 for additional state e-file
- Premium and Business: $79.95; one free state, $19.95 for additional state e-file
H&R Block Pros:
- Interest-free advance offered on refunds
- Help available
- Brick-and-mortar locations available
H&R Block Cons:
- Pricey
- Last version’s final error check not user-friendly, according to PC Magazine
- Might not support all forms and schedules
TaxAct Review
TaxAct is one of the best online tax software options available — and it’s the cheapest of the bunch. TaxAct features a simple, three-level price structure. The company guarantees a price lock, which means that whenever you file your return, you’ll pay the price stated when you prepared it. TaxAct also guarantees the accuracy of your return, which helps make it one of the best free tax software options available.TaxAct is a good option if you have a relatively simple tax return and don’t require a lot of assistance during its preparation. For support, the company offers online answers and help by email, but no live chat.
TaxAct Pricing
TaxAct software is extremely affordable. Pricing starts at $0, and premium versions start at $30.Online Versions
- Free: Free federal and state returns and e-filing — designed for simple returns using 1040EZ and 1040A
- Plus: $15, plus $25 per state return – designed for those with mortgages, investments, charitable donations and more
- Premium: $30, plus $25 per state return — designed for freelancers, contractors and those who are self-employed
Downloadable Versions:
- Free: Five free federal returns; state return is $25
- Plus: $40; includes one state return; e-file additional
- Premium: $55; includes one state return; e-file additional
TaxAct Pros:
- Lowest price
- Extremely affordable for self-employed, freelancers and contractors
- Guaranteed price
TaxAct Cons:
- No live help — answers online and via email only
- Last tax year’s mobile version not great, according to PC Magazine
TaxSlayer Review
TaxSlayer is another affordable but basic tax preparation software program. TaxSlayer is one of the best online tax preparation options because you can prepare your taxes either from a laptop or a mobile device. You can choose to pay no upfront fees and instead have the program deduct the cost of the program and filing from your tax refund. Like the big-name tax software, TaxSlayer offers guarantees for accuracy and maximum refund.With TaxSlayer’s Premium option, you’ll also have the option to email a tax professional, who will email an answer within a day. The Premium edition offers audit advice as well — not a feature you hope to use, but might be happy to have, if the situation arises.
TaxSlayer Pricing
Check out the pricing on this affordable option for filing your taxes. You’ll pay $0 for the most basic version; the premium version starts at $34.99 for federal taxes only.Online Versions
- Basic: Free, plus $19.99 for state return — designed for filers using Form 1040EZ
- Classic: $12.99, plus $19.99 for state return — includes all major forms and schedules; can import last year’s taxes
- Premium: $34.99, plus $19.99 for state return — includes all the features of the Classic edition, plus additional customer assistance
TaxSlayer Pros:
- Lower-priced
- Supports all forms and schedules, according to PC Magazine
- Cost of software can be deducted from refund
Tax Slayer Cons:
- User interface is lacking, according to PC Magazine
- Inadequate search tools in last season’s version, according to PC Magazine
- No live chat — email help only
Jackson Hewitt Review
Jackson Hewitt, like H&R Block, offers many brick-and-mortar locations — 6,300 to be exact, including branches in 3,000 Walmarts. Jackson Hewitt also offers online tax-preparation software, including a free federal version to claim to your federal tax return. Unlike some of the less-expensive products, Jackson Hewitt offers unlimited help via live chat to help you get through your return.
The company offers an accuracy guarantee, backed by the promise that if its calculations are wrong it will pay your IRS penalties and interest. If you’re due a return, Jackson Hewitt offers an interest-free advance of up to $1,300. Finally, it offers a money-back, maximum refund guarantee or it will give you back your fee.
Jackson Hewitt Pricing
The paid versions might not be the cheapest choices, but they come with a lot of extras. Basic state returns start at $29.99 and premium software for state returns is $39.95.Online Versions
- Free: Free, plus $29.99 for state return — designed for simple returns
- Basic: $39.95, plus $39.95 for state return — for recent graduates and newly married filers
- Deluxe: $54.95, plus $39.95 for state returns — best for families, homeowners and investors
- Premium: $74.95, plus $39.95 for state returns — designed for self-employed individuals and filers with complex tax returns
Jackson Hewitt Pros:
- Unlimited, live chat help available
- Many price levels
- Highest interest-free advance against refund available
Jackson Hewitt Cons:
- Expensive
- Navigational glitches in last season’s version, according to PC Magazine
- Bumps you into higher price tier services without warning, according to PC Magazine
Credit Karma Review
Credit Karma, a free credit platform, now offers free tax return software. No income limit, no expiration date, no upsells and no hidden fees apply to Credit Karma’s tax software. The software started rolling out in January to those who sign up for it. In order to use the free tax software, you’ll need to be signed up for the Credit Karma service, which offers free credit scores, credit card recommendations and insights.This article, TurboTax to H&R Block: A Review of the Best Tax Services of 2017, originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com.