TurboTax Online Tax Service

AI assist available Yes

Imports competitor returns from previous years Yes

Audit risk assessment included No

Free tier available Yes

Mobile platform available Yes

Live expert help Yes

All major IRS forms accepted Yes

Score Breakdown

Software Ease of Use 9/10Features 9/10

Pros

• Free option for simple filers
• Covers most tax forms and situations
• Clean interface and design
• Solid import tools
• Robust tax education and guidance

Cons

• More expensive than competitors
• Price structure is confusing
• Many situations trigger upgrades
• We found the constant nudges to upgrade to pricier tiers annoying and disruptive.

No one looks forward to filing their taxes. The average taxpayer spends 13 hours and $290 just to file their return each year, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. As a certified financial planner who’s been writing about taxes and personal finance for nearly a decade, I get that navigating IRS rules is stressful given the high stakes. If you make a mistake, you could face financial penalties and interest. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little more for the best tax software to have a quality filing experience. 

If you’ve ever filed your taxes at some point you’ve probably heard of TurboTax. The company has a 60% market share and is by far the most popular tax filing service. While TurboTax is loaded with features that cover virtually every individual tax situation, it’s also one of the more expensive options and the pricing isn’t the most transparent.

But does TurboTax truly deliver a premium product that justifies its price? To make filing your 2025 tax return easier before the April 15, 2026 deadline, CNET reviewed all the major tax filing software, including TurboTax, H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. We rated each service based on price, affordability, eligibility, experience, ease of use, features, and expert support options. 

Here’s how TurboTax stacks up to other services. 

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TurboTax: Price and affordability (5/10)

Most online tax services have a free version, plus two or three paid tiers. To evaluate each service on cost, I didn’t just look at the costs of each tier. Many services have confusing price structures and hidden fees, so transparency was also a key component of price and affordability ratings. 

TurboTax provides decent value for many of its offerings, but it gets a 5/10 for affordability and value because it’s the priciest option out there, and with little transparency about the costs and discounts.

Tier structure comparison

*Offer applies if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year, and you file by Feb. 28, 2026. 

TurboTax is more expensive than virtually all of its competitors. A free option is technically available, but getting to the finish line without having to pay can be a challenge. You’re constantly nudged to upgrade to a pricier tier, and some features require you to pay extra. If you want to be sure you can truly file for free, Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA are likely better options.

Note that TurboTax is notorious for using dynamic pricing, especially as April 15 approaches. Expect the prices listed above to change frequently -- or for the current discounts to disappear -- throughout tax season.

The prices listed above are for its online filing, but TurboTax also has desktop software that starts at $80 (currently discounted to $70) for 2025 and includes five federal e-files and one state download. (State e-files sold separately.)

State filing fees

TurboTax’s fees for filing state returns are also among the priciest. Though you can file a free state tax return if you qualify for the free Do It Yourself package, state return fees apply to paid products. The more premium the paid product, the higher the state filing fee is, and you pay per state.  

Hidden costs and upgrades

TurboTax says about 37% of users qualify to file a free federal and state return. However, you’ll need to upgrade in all but the simplest filing situations. For example, if you have freelance income, are itemizing your return, or you’re claiming anything but the most basic tax credits and deductions, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version. 

TurboTax says that their pricing is determined by the tier of service (Do it Yourself, Expert Assist or Expert Full service) and the complexity of your return. Within each tier, there’s a huge pricing range: You’ll pay anywhere from $0 to $139 (currently discounted to $0 to $99) for the cheapest option and $59 to $209 (currently discounted to $39 to $159) for Expert Assist, plus potential state filing fees -- and there’s very little upfront clarity about when the upper and lower end of each range will apply or when the discounts will end. But at least they’ll get your confirmation before adding any paid products or services, and you’ll be able to see a full balance of charges before you file and pay.  

One hidden fee to watch out for is TurboTax’s $40 refund processing service fee. You’ll incur this charge if you opt to have your filing fees deducted from your tax refund, but you can avoid it by paying any fees with a credit or debit card when you submit your return.

The online software also tried to get me to upgrade to its Max Defend & Restore package, which includes full audit protection, various identity theft protections and priority care, for an extra $59.99 early in the filing process.

TurboTax: Eligibility and use cases (10/10)

Some tax programs are designed primarily for simple filers, while others cater to filers across the complexity spectrum. TurboTax covers a huge range of tax needs for individual filers.

TurboTax gets a 10/10 here because it supports everything from free filing of simple returns to complex and unusual tax situations. 

Simple filers (standard deduction)

If you have a simple tax return, you can probably use TurboTax’s Do It Yourself version. The guided interview process is easy to understand and helps you choose the right filing status, figure out the tax credits and deductions you qualify for, and whether to take the standard deduction or itemize.

TurboTax offers free filing for simple tax returns when you take the standard deduction. Be aware, though, that there’s no universal definition of “simple tax return,” and TurboTax uses a somewhat narrow definition. For example, you won’t qualify as “simple” if you received unemployment income in 2025, or if you’re seeking credits or deductions other than the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, student loan interest deduction or Schedule 1-A deductions.

Investment income (Schedule D)

One area where TurboTax shines is its ease of use for filers with investment income. It can sync with most major brokerage accounts and directly import 1099-B forms. That can save you lots of time and reduce the chances of error, especially if you’re a high-volume stock or crypto trader.

It will also guide you through complex types of investment income. For example, if you sold shares from an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), TurboTax will calculate your cost basis using a few details from Form 3922.

Self-employment (Schedule C)

TurboTax’s flow is especially helpful for people who freelance, are self-employed or own a small business. It asks easy questions to determine the type of business and income you have, along with your expenses.

As of this writing, TurboTax doesn’t let you import a PDF or upload photos of your 1099-NEC forms. But many payroll companies, financial institutions and gig work platforms sync with TurboTax to let you directly import the information. Otherwise, you’ll need to enter 1099-NEC info manually, which is one shortcoming.

One area where it stands out is the way it categorizes expenses and guides you through relevant deductions, like a home office, supplies and business-related travel. If you own a small business, it also lets you add up the cost of goods sold so that you can calculate your gross profit.

Rental income and advanced forms

TurboTax supports Schedule E for reporting income and losses from rental income and several other passive activities. It guides you step by step to get details about your properties, rental income, expenses and depreciation. Then, it automatically calculates your net rental income or loss.

You can also report foreign tax credits through Form 1116. There’s a step-by-step interview that walks you through eligibility, limitations and carryovers. It then calculates the maximum credit based on the relevant country-specific rules.

TurboTax: Experience and ease of use (9/10)

A well-designed tax software makes filing your return as painless as possible. On the other hand, those with a confusing interface that lack key features, like importing tools, make tax prep more difficult and time-consuming. 

TurboTax gets high marks for its smooth software design and ease of use. TurboTax gets a 9/10 on experience and ease of use for its intuitive design on both desktop and mobile, and its easy onboarding process.

Onboarding and data import

TurboTax excels at data import, which makes onboarding a breeze. One of the easiest ways to get started is to upload a copy of last year’s tax return or snap a photo with your phone camera using TurboTax’s mobile app, and it will autofill the necessary information. You can also import many relevant forms, like W-2s and various 1099s, directly from your employer or financial institution.

Interface and navigation

TurboTax has a clean design that’s easy to navigate and even -- dare I say it -- fun, at least for a tax-filing service. The step-by-step interview that guides you through the process is one of the easiest to navigate that I’ve seen. My only complaint is the frequent nudges you get from TurboTax to upgrade to a more expensive product or pay for an additional service.

It asks you questions about your situation and has a hover option that gives you additional content in a right-hand informational panel. For example, when it asked if I had overtime income, when I hovered over the question mark, it explained that I could be eligible for a deduction under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that’s not yet reflected in W-2s.

As you prepare your return, you can easily track where you are in the process. It updates the amount you can expect to get from your refund (or the size of your tax bill if you owe) in real time. You can also see how much time you’ve spent on your return and how much longer filing is expected to take.

Mobile and desktop filing experience

Both the mobile and desktop versions of TurboTax function seamlessly. It’s possible to complete the entire filing process on the mobile app, but the app is designed primarily for simple filers. Though you can still complete more complex returns on the app, it’s usually easier to file via desktop in more complicated situations, like when you’re reporting business and investment income.

TurboTax: Features (9/10)

TurboTax has loads of features that ensure your return is accurate and that you’re getting the biggest refund possible.

TurboTax gets an 8/10 for its robust range of features, though it’s lacking in a few areas like built-in audit defense for its products.

Final review/Accuracy check

TurboTax provides a robust final accuracy check before you submit your return. It scans your return for common mistakes the IRS looks for, like blank fields, inconsistencies and potential errors, then links you back to the relevant section. You can also get a tax expert to review your return for errors if you upgrade to Expert Assist. 

Error checking

TurboTax flags potential errors as you prepare your taxes. That’s helpful, as you don’t have to wait until you’re ready to file to see an issue that needs your attention. 

TurboTax will highlight errors in red that you need to correct before filing, like if you listed a dependent without providing their Social Security number. If there’s an issue it suggests double-checking that won’t prevent you from filing -- for example, if you’re claiming an unusually large percentage of your residence as a home office -- it will highlight it in yellow and label it with “check this entry” or something similar.

Audit risk assessment

TurboTax used to offer an audit risk meter to estimate your likelihood of being audited, but it removed the feature from online versions several years ago. However, it’s still included in some desktop software.

Each online tier (including the free one) comes with audit support, which includes one-on-one guidance in the case of an audit, but doesn’t include audit defense. To have a tax pro represent you before the IRS, you’ll need to pay for an additional package, like MAX Defend and Restore or PLUS, or purchase it as a standalone product.

Tax guidance and education

TurboTax provides extensive tax guidance and education with built-in explanations, hover-over tools to contextualize things, and an extensive help center library. I appreciate the level of education it provides because it’s not intrusive if you don’t need an explanation, but you can also go as deep as you want on topics you don’t understand.

Maximum refund guarantee

TurboTax promises to refund your tax prep fees if you file an amended return with another service and receive a larger tax refund or a smaller tax bill. If you filed for free with TurboTax, you can receive a $30 payment in these situations. The maximum refund guarantee only applies if you used the same numbers on your amended return that you furnished to TurboTax.

Additional features 

• AI-Powered Intuit Assist. TurboTax’s AI-powered tool provides guidance and answers your tax questions as you prepare your return. It’s free for all tiers.
• Refund advance. TurboTax will give you an advance of up to $4,000 on your refund just 30 seconds after the IRS accepts your return. You won’t pay loan fees or interest, but you’ll need to open a Credit Karma Money checking account. TurboTax says its refund advances are available starting in late January, when the IRS starts accepting returns. A few competitors, like Jackson Hewitt, offer early refund advances starting in mid-December.

TurboTax: Expert support and access to tax professionals (8/10)

Like other full-service tax preparers, TurboTax gives you the option to work with a professional. But, as with all things TurboTax, you’ll pay a premium for the option.

TurboTax makes tax experts available, but working with a tax pro is pricey. Nonetheless, it gets an 8/10 due to the wide range of expert support that’s available.

Review of live support options

Unlimited live support is included in TurboTax’s paid Expert Assist and Expert Full Service packages. There are different levels of pricing within each package, based on your return’s complexity. TurboTax Experts have at least two years of paid tax prep experience and must be an active CPA, enrolled agent or practicing attorney with tax expertise. 

Pricing for TurboTax Expert Assist Basic starts at $59, however, this level of support is only available to simple 1040 filers. Costs for other levels of support increase based on the level of complexity. Though it’s possible to meet with a TurboTax pro face to face at a TurboTax office if you opt for the Expert Full Service plan, in-person support is limited compared to services like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. Depending on where you live,  you’ll likely end up communicating with your TurboTax pro through phone calls, messaging or video chat as some states only have a few offices. 

During tax season, TurboTax experts are available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT seven days a week. Outside of tax season, expert hours are 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. If you opt for the Expert Full Service plan, the specific expert you're matched with will share their individual hours with you. 

Final verdict

TurboTax covers virtually every personal tax situation, with free options for simple filers and various tiers for those with more complex needs. The hidden costs and frequent nudges to upgrade can get frustrating, though. Simple filers may want to go for a service geared toward free filing, but filers who need guidance on topics like self-employment and investment income can benefit from TurboTax’s advanced features.

TurboTax Score Breakdown

Methodology: How we test and evaluate tax software

We tested each platform on mobile and desktop using the same basic tax scenarios. Here’s what we considered for each of the five categories.

Price and affordability

We looked at each price tier and how it stacked up against competitors’ similar offerings. Availability of a free option was important, but we also considered the likelihood that a user could actually file for free without being forced to upgrade. We also looked at how transparent each service was with their pricing. Services lost points if they didn’t clearly disclose costs of add-ons upfront. 

Eligibility and use cases

We tested each software using the same basic filing scenarios, including simple filing with a W-2 and the standard deduction, itemized returns, investment income, rental income and small-business/self-employment filings. We gave maximum points when a service could handle a broad range of filing situations without requiring extensive manual input or calculations. 

Experience and ease of use

The best tax filing services make preparing your return as simple as possible. To evaluate experience and ease of use, we looked at the setup process (including whether you could simplify the setup process by importing last year’s tax return or uploading your W-2). We also considered whether the service makes filing easier with an easy-to-understand interview process. Each software lost points for things that make for a poor user experience, like a confusing navigation or requiring users to start over if they downgraded to a less-expensive tier.

Features

Many tax software programs have an array of tools to ensure your return is accurate and maximize your refund. We have top ratings in this category for services with robust error-checking tools, audit defense services, a maximum refund guarantee, and an option to receive an advance on your refund.

Expert support and tax professional access

Nearly all filing services allow you DIY your return, but sometimes you need professional guidance. We gave top points to services that offer access to a CPA, EA or other tax pros, as well as those that provide easy access to customer service and technical support.

Scoring approach

Each category received a score on a scale of 1 to 10. The overall score was an evenly weighted average of each category, based on performance relative to competitors and the needs of typical DIY filers, as well as those with common filing situations that require extra guidance or access to a tax professional.