Best Tax Software of August 2024
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Taxes are confusing enough without the added stress of figuring out which software is the best tax software. We did the research by testing and evaluating four well-known, widely used online tax providers to help you choose the ideal option to file taxes online.
While you should get the same refund or bill no matter which provider you choose, tax filing programs typically come at a cost — so there’s a crucial difference between paying for what you'll use and paying extra for what you don’t need.
Our review process, which includes first-hand testing, information collection and user surveys, focuses on factors that are important to filers, including price, ease of use, tools, tax pro help and customer support. Prices are updated monthly and are accurate per provider as of August 1, 2024.
Best tax software 2024
Best free tax software: H&R Block
Best overall: TurboTax
Best affordable tax software: TaxSlayer
Competitive tax software to consider: TaxAct
Nerdy Tip: If you're new to filing or just need a little more guidance, you can also check out our tax software guide or our video on the ins and outs of picking tax software further down on the page.
Best free tax software for simple returns: H&R Block
![](https://www.nerdwallet.com/assets/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/taxes-hrblock-logo-320x55.png)
H&R Block Free
5.0
NerdWallet ratingFederal: $55 to $115. Free version available for simple tax returns only.
State: $0 to $49 per state.
Expert help is included with paid packages free of charge.
Best overall tax software package: TurboTax
![](https://www.nerdwallet.com/assets/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/turbotax-new-logo-320x69.png)
TurboTax
4.5
NerdWallet ratingFederal: $69 to $129. Free version available for Form 1040 and limited credits only. Roughly 37% of filers qualify.
State: $0 to $64 per state.
Expert help is included with an upgrade to Live Assisted packages.
Best affordable tax software package: TaxSlayer
![](https://www.nerdwallet.com/assets/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/taxslayer-Feb-23-320x104.png)
TaxSlayer
4.0
NerdWallet ratingFederal: $37.95 to $67.95. Free version available for simple tax returns only.
State: $0 to $44.95 per state.
Expert help is included in Premium and Self-Employed packages only.
Competitive tax software to consider: TaxAct
![](https://www.nerdwallet.com/assets/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TaxAct-2019-320x95.png)
TaxAct
3.5
NerdWallet ratingFederal: $49.99 to $99.99. Free version available for simple tax returns only.
State: $39.99 to $59.99 per state.
Xpert Assist tax help is included as a paid upgrade.
Best tax software: Overview
Best free tax software for simple returns
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Best overall tax software
Promotion: NerdWallet users can save up to an additional 10% on TurboTax. | ||
Best affordable tax software
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Promotion: NerdWallet users get 25% off federal and state filing costs. |
These star ratings are based on a tax provider's free tier score. For more detailed scoring, see the full product details drop-down menu above. Providers frequently change pricing. You can verify the latest price by clicking through to each provider's site.
Tax software guide: The basics
Methodology
NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks the largest online tax software providers. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of available software to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
We collect data directly from providers, do first-hand testing and observe provider demonstrations. Our process starts by sending detailed questions to providers. The questions are structured to equally elicit both favorable and unfavorable responses. They are not designed or prepared to produce any predetermined results. The provider’s answers, combined with our specialists’ hands-on research, make up our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance.
The final output produces star ratings from poor (1 star) to excellent (5 stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star. For more details about the categories considered when rating tax software and our process, read our full methodology.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER IN TAXES
TurboTax vs. H&R Block 2024
Federal Income Tax Calculator: Return and Refund Estimator 2023-2024
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