The Best Free Tax Software We’ve Tested for 2026

TurboTax has topped our list of the best tax prep apps for many years because it makes doing your taxes more understandable and accessible than any competitor, thus reducing your tax obligation. Its explanations of both simple and complex tax topics are conversational and comprehensible, and it provides multiple layers of help as it takes you through IRS Form 1040. TurboTax also offers the most state-of-the-art user experience across its apps. The Free Edition is the most robust of the three services that offer multiple versions.

Anyone who wants the best tax prep experience: TurboTax stands out because of its superior depth, guidance, and usability. The service seamlessly complies with all provisions of the new tax code.

Taxpayers with simple returns: If your tax situation is only modestly complex, TurboTax’s free edition is a great option. Intuit says that 37% of filers qualify for this version.

FreeTaxUSA is the best free federal tax prep website (state returns cost $15.99). It supports all major IRS forms and schedules, offers a clean, professional user interface, and provides an easy-to-understand navigation system. Its help content is unusually good for a free product. The service allows you to connect directly with a tax professional for just $44.99. Its mobile site is excellent, too. Unlike TurboTax and H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA supports advanced tax topics, such as self-employment and capital gains and losses, for free.

Budget-conscious and tax-savvy individuals with complex returns: FreeTaxUSA’s usability, thorough coverage of tax topics, and better-than-expected guidance might prove just enough if you must report a lot of income and expenses. Similarly, it should appeal if you have a firm handle on the tax prep process and want to save some money.

First-time filers with simple returns: Free versions of competing apps might technically be sufficient, but FreeTaxUSA offers comprehensive, fast, and friendly prep with enough help to support basic tax topics.

H&R Block is a household name when it comes to in-person tax preparation, and its DIY tax software lives up to that reputation. Its numerous products and services feature friendly interfaces, extensive topic coverage, and multiple levels of help. The company excels at explaining tax issues in ways you can easily understand. The company’s free edition encompasses all of those positive aspects and provides an easy path to the more advanced versions that support situations such as self-employment and investment transactions.

Taxpayers with limited income and expenses: H&R Block offers one of the most robust free versions available. Approximately 52% of filers qualify for H&R Block Online Free Edition, according to the company.

Road warriors: If you want to prepare and file your taxes on the go, you should find the company’s dedicated mobile apps more than sufficient. They let you do everything that the desktop browser version does.

TaxAct has been around for decades. Its contextual support, navigation system, and user interface all aim to help simplify the complexities of the IRS tax code. TaxAct digs deep, asking questions about your finances that help it find all the deductions and credits that you should get. It doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, but the responsive site works well on smaller screens.

Taxpayers with basic financial situations: TaxAct offers a good amount of guidance that’s often context-sensitive; this help should be more than enough to get you through basic tax questions. The Free Federal version likely supports all the forms and schedules you need, too.

W-2 employees or unemployed individuals who don’t need to file a state return: TaxAct charges $38.99 per state return, while many competitors offer this for free or much less. If you don’t have to file a state return, you don’t need to worry about this fee.

Cash App Taxes is the only service we tested that doesn’t cost a dime for comprehensive federal and state preparation and filing. It supports all major and most minor tax forms and schedules. The site is fast, with an excellent interface and navigation, and its mobile apps work well. It offers almost everything you need to prepare the most difficult returns—except for a robust help system and access to tax professionals.

Self-employed individuals on a tight budget: Although Cash App Taxes is lighter on help and guidance than paid competitors, its self-employment section might be sufficient for sole proprietors who know their way around the Schedule C.

Struggling households that simply can’t afford tax prep: Families strapped for cash are likely to have simple enough tax profiles that Cash App Taxes will be enough. Its support for dependents and cost-cutting credits and deductions can further reduce income tax costs.