What is the cheapest way to file taxes online?

FreeTaxUSA offers genuinely free federal filing for nearly all return types including self-employment income and investments, with a flat $14.99 state fee. H&R Block Free Online covers ~52-55% of filers with more included forms than TurboTax Free Edition. TurboTax Free Edition is limited to simple Form 1040 only (~37% of filers). TaxAct Free tier always charges $39.99 for state filing.

What is the difference between DIY tax software and assisted filing?

DIY tax software (all platforms listed here) guides you through your return step by step but you prepare and file it yourself. Assisted filing add-ons (TurboTax Live, H&R Block Tax Pro Review, TaxAct Xpert Assist) let you chat with a tax professional or have them review your return before filing. In-person filing (H&R Block physical offices) provides the highest level of support but costs significantly more, starting at $89.

TurboTax vs FreeTaxUSA: which is the best value for self-employed filers?

TurboTax Self-Employed ($129 federal + $59 state) is the best choice for filers who want maximum deduction-finding automation and step-by-step guidance through every Schedule C, SE, and 1099 form. FreeTaxUSA (free federal, $14.99 state) is the best value — it handles self-employment income, investments, and rental property at no federal cost. For a straightforward self-employment return, FreeTaxUSA saves you over $150. For a complex return with multiple income streams, TurboTax's deduction-finding features may save you more than its premium cost.

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Verdict

TurboTax Self-Employed ($129 federal + $59/state) and H&R Block Self-Employed ($85 federal + $37/state) are both strong options for self-employed filers. TurboTax has better deduction-finding features for freelancers but costs significantly more. TaxAct Self-Employed ($64.99 federal + $39.99/state) is a budget-friendly alternative. For freelancers who want to minimize costs, FreeTaxUSA handles Schedule C at no federal cost ($14.99 state).

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Feature	TurboTax	H&R Block	TaxAct	FreeTaxUSA
Starting Price	Free · From $59/mo	Free · From $35/mo	Free · From $24.99/mo	Free · From $7.99/mo
Free Edition	Free	Free	Free	Free
Deluxe	$59/yr	$35/yr	$24.99/yr	$7.99/yr
Premium	$89/yr	$65/yr	$34.99/yr	—
Self-Employed	$129/yr	$85/yr	$64.99/yr	—
Best For	Freelancers, Small Biz	Freelancers, Small Biz	Freelancers, Small Biz	Freelancers
Regions	US	US	US	US
Platforms	Web, Ios, Android	Web, Ios, Android	Web, Ios, Android	Web
Key Features	•Guided interview-style tax preparation with step-by-step navigation •AI Tax Assist — conversational tax Q&A across all tiers •Maximum Refund Guarantee and accuracy review •Direct import of W-2, 1099, and investment data from employers and financial institutions	•Free Online tier covering more forms than TurboTax Free Edition — ~52-55% of filers qualify •Step-by-step navigation with clear progress tracking •Tax Pro Review — have a tax professional review your return before filing •In-person filing at thousands of physical H&R Block offices nationwide	•Most affordable paid tiers among major competitors •$100,000 accuracy guarantee — covered if software error causes larger tax liability •Maximum Refund Guarantee •Xpert Assist — tax pro help available as add-on	•Genuinely free federal filing for all return types — including Schedule C, D, E, and itemized deductions •$100,000 accuracy guarantee •Maximum Refund Guarantee •Flat $14.99 state filing fee regardless of complexity
Pros	+Best-in-class interview-style UX that surfaces deductions competitors miss — the guided question flow catches edge cases +AI Tax Assist included across all tiers provides conversational answers to tax questions without navigating help docs +Handles complex situations including RSU vesting, AMT, business expenses, and multi-state returns better than any competitor	+Most robust free tier of all major paid tax software — covers more forms than TurboTax Free Edition, including education credits and child tax credits +Lower state filing fees than TurboTax ($37 vs $59 per state) across all tiers +Option for in-person help at thousands of physical branches nationwide — unique among major competitors	+Most affordable paid tier among major competitors — Deluxe at $24.99 vs TurboTax Deluxe at $59 +$100,000 accuracy guarantee if software error causes larger tax liability +Maximum Refund Guarantee included	+Genuinely free federal filing for nearly all filers regardless of complexity — handles freelance income, investments, and itemized deductions at no federal cost +Significantly cheaper than TurboTax/H&R Block at every tier — Deluxe federal at $7.99 vs $59 and $35 respectively +$100,000 accuracy guarantee — same protection as much more expensive competitors
Cons	−Most expensive option in the category — Free Edition limited to approximately 37% of filers with simple Form 1040 only −Pricing is tiered aggressively to push users toward upgrades, with upsell prompts throughout the filing experience −State filing costs $59 per state — an additional cost that adds up for multi-state filers	−Interface slightly less polished than TurboTax — the guided experience is less conversational −Chatbot in Free Edition answers limited questions only — full support requires upgrading −Help features require more navigation to find compared to TurboTax's AI Tax Assist	−Always charges for state filing even on Free tier — $39.99/state is a hidden cost for multi-state filers −Interface less intuitive than TurboTax or H&R Block — fewer guided explanations and less educational content −Live help not bundled into higher tiers — Xpert Assist is an add-on cost	−Web-only — no iOS or Android app available −Interface less polished and more bare-bones than TurboTax or H&R Block −Less guidance and educational explanation throughout the filing process
Integrations	6+ integrations	4+ integrations	2+ integrations	1+ integrations
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