The best tax software for a stress-free tax season

TurboTax is one of the most popular tax software filing option due to its easy-to-navigate user interface, its in-app support features for different filing situations and trackers, and the expert assistance option you can use for an additional cost.

The platform offers plenty of educational resources that demystify tax returns, like tips, blogs, and checklists, as well as a tax bracket calculator, a self-employed expense estimator, and information on the latest tax law changes. 

If you've used the service before, TurboTax imports your previous tax data into this year's return, so updating your documents takes less time. This is great for freelancers and self-employed people to upload receipts and manage deductions, and simple filing is easy with seamless imports of W-2s and PDFs.  

You can also find free versions for simple filings like W-2 income, child tax credits, earned income credits, and other standard deductions. Simple filings can also be free, but your filing has to be pretty bare bones, so any sort of charitable donation, freelance gig, unemployment income, or complex form you file will cost you more. But if you are a W-2 worker, have dependents, and pay rent, you could qualify to file your taxes for free with TurboTax. 

At the time of publication, Turbotax had discounted its services. Filing your own taxes costs ranges from free to $129. You'll be able to upload or import your tax documents, use Intuit Assist, the service's artificial intelligence, and run CompleteCheck to make sure everything is correct before you submit. 

To file your taxes with the help of an expert in real time can be free, or up to $199. The tax expert will take you through the process from start to finish as well as review your return for accuracy. Intuit's website also says if you switch to Turbotax and file by March 31, you can use Live Assisted Basic for free, but you'll need to qualify first. 

TurboTax's Live Full Service matches you with a local tax expert best suited to your needs. You can connect with the tax pro in real time, and they file for you. This service starts at $99, but the final cost depends on your specific tax situation. 

If you're willing to spend some money to file your taxes and get additional support, but don't want to spend TurboTax-level money on your tax return, H&R Block offers many of the same features as TurboTax at a lower price. 

H&R Block offers three different filing plans. Free Online covers simple returns, W-2 employees, child tax credit (CTC) forms, unemployment income, interest and dividend income, earned income tax credit (EITC), student loan interest deduction, and retirement plan distributions. With Free Online, you file your taxes on your own on any device.

Deluxe starts at $55 -- $49 per state filed -- and covers more complex tax situations, like health savings accounts, real estate taxes, and mortgage interest. There are also options for investors and self-employed users. Through this tier, you'll file your taxes with live help from an expert and AI Tax Assist.

H&R Block also gives the option to have a tax expert file for you in person, online, or through hybrid options, with your taxes done in about an hour, according to the website. Expert support is useful for unique tax situations. Plus, if you liked the expert you worked with before, you can request them again or start with someone new. Having an H&R Block pro file for you starts at $89, plus additional state fees. 

In addition, the Direct Import feature helps new customers take last year's tax information from another tax software, like TurboTax, and easily import it into this year's documents. You can also easily track your refund's status after filing.

With thousands of offices in the U.S. to visit to address any tax-related concerns, a reliable reputation, and an affordable price, H&R Block is a safe choice for simple to complex tax return filings. 

Cash App Taxes isn't kidding when it tells you its service is 100% free for state and federal returns. You won't need to upgrade to a paid tier or face hidden fees as you file -- just download and register for Cash App to begin using the service. 

Cash App Taxes is ideal for a simple filer or filers on a budget, but you should be fairly confident in the filing process. There's a chat function in the mobile app, but the customer service phone line is only open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. I'd recommend opting for another tax filing software if you have any complex returns because Cash App Taxes doesn't support many complex situations, like multi-state filing, nonresident filing, and prior-year return filing.  

Cash App also boasts an "A-" rating from the Better Business Bureau, as well as a 4.3-star Trust Pilot score. 

Also: The best free tax software 

If you aren't keen on Cash App Taxes' totally free service but still want an affordable choice, FreeTaxUSA is your best bet. 

Federal filing is free, and state filing starts at $15. From there, FreeTaxUSA splits up its services based on your tax needs -- Basic is best for beginners, Advanced covers home ownership, maximum credits and deductions, as well as earned income credit. Premium covers rental income, investment, and sale of a home. There are also features of self-employed users. 

You can tack on Deluxe Support for $8 to get live, priority chat support and free, unlimited return amendments. Live chat is available from Jan.2 - April 30, Monday - Saturday, from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. ET. It's also available May 1 - Dec. 31, Monday - Friday, from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET. 

For $50, you can upgrade to Pro Support for personal tax advice, phone support, and live screenshare.  Live chat is available from Jan.2 - April 30, Monday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET. It's also available May 1 - Dec. 31, Monday - Friday, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET. These hotlines don't operate on holidays, and the support agents are not tax professionals.

We'd recommend FreeTaxUSA to people who have filed their own taxes before and know the ropes of their tax return. Unlike TurboTax and H&R Block, Free Tax offers less support and educational resources.

If you used another service the year prior, FreeTaxUSA supports PDF imports to make the filing process as easy as can be.

If you own businesses or have complex investment income, your tax return won't be as easy as reporting a W-2. You need tax software that is affordable but can handle the heavy load.

Jackson Hewitt is a great candidate: It offers a $25 flat filing fee for federal and state taxes, regardless of your return's complexity, but you'll be doing it yourself. The company offers free live chat support between Jan. and April, as well as outside of tax season, but it's not a 24/7 hotline.

As of publication, Jackson Hewitt advertises that new clients will pay no more than $149 when filing a federal return through March 31. The offer doesn't apply online, so you'll need to visit one of the company's locations and mention the ad, according to the website. 

The company has locations around the country -- many located in Walmart stores. 
You can turn in your tax return, and have your work checked by a professional. 

The downside of Jackson Hewitt is the service doesn't provide as much assistance as TurboTax or H&R Block, so if you're not an experienced filer, it may not be the best choice for you.