![]() It’s appropriate for filers who wish to itemize deductions. The deluxe plan costs $40 to $60 for federal DIY tax prep and filing and $40 to $50 per state return, depending on when you file. A state fee may apply as the filing deadline approaches, so prep early to avoid surprises. This plan offers free state and federal filing for relatively simple situations - filing using Form 1040 with no attached schedules. But its plans are a bit more expensive than either H&R Block’s or TaxAct’s. Like H&R Block, TurboTax varies pricing as the tax season progresses. It’s appropriate for self-employed individuals and small-business owners.ĭIY Tax Prep Plans & Pricing for TurboTax The self-employed plan costs $67.99 to $84.99 for federal prep and filing and $36.99 to $49.99 for each state, depending on the filing date. It supports a range of more complex activities, including investment activity and rental property ownership. The premium plan costs $39.99 to $69.99 for federal prep and filing and $36.99 to $49.99 for each state, depending on the filing date. It’s appropriate for filers who need to itemize deductions, import a prior-year tax return from another tax prep service, or access H&R Block’s in-house phone support team. The deluxe plan costs $23.99 to $49.99 for federal prep and filing and $36.99 to $49.99 for each state return, depending on when you file. If you can file your taxes using Form 1040 without any additional schedules, the free plan is for you. This plan offers free federal and state filing for simple to moderately complex situations. Early birds get better deals (at the lower end of the ranges specified here) than those who prep and file as the deadline approaches. Pricing for H&R Block’s DIY tax prep plans rises as the tax season progresses. DIY Tax Prep Plans & Pricing for H&R Block Notably, all offer a free plan for filers with relatively simple situations. All offer multiple DIY tax prep plans that correspond to general positions on the complexity spectrum. DIY Tax Prep Plans & PricingĮach of these tax prep services can handle virtually any personal income tax situation, from straightforward to very complex. However, each program is distinct enough to warrant close examination on the merits. TurboTax and H&R Block are especially close cousins, offering tax prep assistance from human experts for users who want it. TaxAct, TurboTax, and H&R Block have many features and capabilities in common. However, the time and expense of preparing with each service vary considerably. With these three programs, my federal and state tax liabilities have always been identical across the board. That means each service waives your prep fees if you can prove another program produces a higher tax liability or lower refund on an identical tax situation. TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct all have a maximum refund-minimum tax liability guarantee. Accounting for quarterly estimated tax payments made throughout the year.Schedule C (profit or loss from a business, including the home office deduction).Schedule B (interest and ordinary dividends).Using the married-filing-separately option.Though it’s a bit more complicated than my actual tax situation, it allows me to explore each platform in greater depth than I otherwise would. For example, during the 2014 tax year, I moved across state lines, forcing me to file two state tax returns.įor the 2020 tax year, I used the same mock tax situation for all three programs to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison. As my tax situation has changed, so have my experiences. I’ve done my own taxes and run this comparison for several years in a row. Online Tax Preparation Software Evaluation Method But there are differences.īefore choosing one, learn how TurboTax, TaxAct, and H&R Block stack up - and what’s new for the 2020 tax year. That can make it challenging to differentiate among them at a glance. ![]() That’s because I’ve spent some time evaluating the most popular online tax preparation software available to filers in the United States, including TurboTax, TaxAct, and H&R Block.Īll three have a similar set of core features and capabilities, including the ability to e-file. In recent years, it’s taken me much longer than I’d like to complete and e-file my state and federal income tax returns.
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