Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Current Deals & Offers
Free federal filing for simple returns
Up to $20 off Deluxe and Premium with early filing
Expires April 15, 2026
Free expert review of your return
TurboTax Review 2026
The most guided tax filing experience available online.
TurboTax Pricing
Free Edition
$0
For simple tax returns only — W-2 income and the standard deduction.
- W-2 income
- Standard deduction
- Child Tax Credit
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Free federal + state filing
Deluxe
$69
Maximize deductions for homeowners and investors.
- Everything in Free
- Mortgage interest deduction
- Charitable donations
- 1099-INT and 1099-DIV
- Student loan interest
- State filing: $64/state
Premium
$129
For investors with stocks, crypto, and rental income.
- Everything in Deluxe
- Stock and crypto sales
- Rental property income
- Foreign investments
- Unlimited W-2 imports
- State filing: $64/state
Self-Employed
$129
For freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners.
- Everything in Premium
- Self-employment income and deductions
- Home office deduction
- Vehicle and mileage expenses
- QuickBooks Self-Employed integration
- State filing: $64/state
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most user-friendly interface of any tax software
- Step-by-step guidance with plain-language explanations
- Strong import features — pulls data from employers, banks, and brokerage accounts
- Audit support included with all paid tiers
- Robust mobile app with full functionality
- TurboTax Live option for access to a real CPA
Cons
- Most expensive option in the market
- Aggressively upsells users to higher-priced tiers
- Free tier is very limited — excludes most itemized deductions
- State filing costs extra on every paid tier
- Price has increased significantly in recent years
Key Features
- W-2 and 1099 import from thousands of employers and financial institutions
- Crypto and NFT tax reporting
- Rental income and real estate schedule
- Self-employment income and deductions (Schedule C)
- IRS audit support
- Prior-year return import
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- TurboTax Live CPA review add-on
- Max Refund Guarantee
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee
Our Verdict
TurboTax earns its position as the top-rated tax software by delivering an unmatched guided filing experience. The interface is clean, the explanations are genuinely helpful, and the import integrations save real time. The tradeoff is cost — it is the most expensive option by a meaningful margin, and the upsells can feel pushy. For taxpayers who want hand-holding through a complex return and are willing to pay for it, TurboTax is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TurboTax Free Edition really free?
TurboTax Free Edition is free for simple returns that only require Form 1040 with no schedules. It covers W-2 income, the standard deduction, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Child Tax Credit. If you have any itemized deductions, investment income, self-employment income, or rental income, you will need to upgrade to a paid tier.
Does TurboTax offer audit support?
Yes. All paid TurboTax tiers include audit support, which means a tax professional will guide you through an IRS audit and help you understand notices. TurboTax also sells an Audit Defense add-on that provides full representation before the IRS.
Can TurboTax handle self-employment income?
Yes, but you need the Self-Employed tier. It covers Schedule C income and deductions, home office expenses, vehicle mileage, and integrates with QuickBooks Self-Employed to pull in your income and expense data automatically.
How does TurboTax pricing work for state returns?
Federal filing costs are listed at the tier level ($0, $69, $129). State returns cost an additional $64 per state filed on all paid tiers. The Free Edition includes one free state return.
Compare Other Tax Software
Get weekly tax tips
Join thousands of taxpayers getting practical advice delivered every week.