1: Free Tax USA
https://www.freetaxusa.
2: Cash App Taxes (Formally Credit Karma Tax)
https://cash.app/taxes
3: OnlineTaxes
https://olt.com/
4: MyFreeTaxes (for AGI $89,000 or less)
https://myfreetaxes.com/
5: IRS Free File: Do your Taxes for Free (for AGI $89,000 or less)
https://www.irs.gov/file-your-taxes-for-free
https://irs.treasury.go
6: IRS Free Fillable Forms: Do your Taxes for Free (no AGI limit)
https://www.irs.gov/e-file-provid...able-forms
List of states with free state e-file directly on their website [thefinancebuff.com]
(requires transferring data from your tax software to the state website)
You can apply Amazon digital credits to save even more (YMMV). However it only applies to the "normal" listing; NOT the GC offer.
Top Comments
TT strongly pushes Premier and Home & Business but the fact is that TT Deluxe can handle every situation that these more expensive versions can. The only exception that I am aware of is the ability to create W2 and 1099 forms for employees in H&B.
Deluxe has everything for all investment types, everything for owners of rental properties, everything for self-employed (1099-NEC/Schedule C filers), everything for those who do itemized deductions.
The higher versions offer more guidance but Deluxe has all the forms required and will still walk you through all of it.
Note that Turbotax Online is completely different, Deluxe Online is purposely limited forcing more complex returns to use the more expenisve Online versions than Deluxe.
Community Reviews
TurboTax Deluxe desktop is the main value pick here for people who want guided tax prep with brokerage imports, stock sales, and even many rental or self employment returns without paying for Premier. The desktop version is praised for handling multiple federal returns, keeping data local, and offering clearer interview style guidance than online. The biggest catch is Windows 11 support, since Windows 10 is no longer compatible. State e file still costs extra, and some complex K 1 or business cases may still need more hand holding.
Common Questions (6)
TurboTax Deluxe desktop can handle stock sales, brokerage imports, and Schedule K-1 forms, including capital loss carryovers and many investment types. The main difference versus Premier is extra guidance, not the underlying forms, so Deluxe is enough if you're comfortable entering the data.
No. TurboTax 2025 desktop requires Windows 11 and will not install or run on Windows 10, even with ESU support. If you can't upgrade, the practical alternatives are TurboTax Online or a virtual machine running Windows 11.
Yes. Deluxe desktop can import 1099-B and other investment data directly from supported brokerages, and it can also import .TXF files. It does not rely on the limited online-version workflow, which is why many investment users prefer the desktop edition.
Costco's $10 bonus is an in-product credit that can be applied to state e-file fees or other add-ons inside TurboTax. Amazon's $10 bonus is a gift card, which is easier to spend elsewhere but does not directly reduce TurboTax add-on costs.
TurboTax Deluxe desktop can handle 1099-NEC self-employment income and generate Schedule C. The confusion usually comes from TurboTax Online, where Deluxe is more limited and may push you to upgrade.
The desktop download can be installed on up to 5 computers and can file up to 5 federal returns. State e-file is still extra, and each additional state download usually costs more.
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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I have used TT for 20+ years, and a few years I was with HR block, and then a few more years purchased both to duplicate all the calculations. After these comparisons I have been doing TT for the last few years b/c I recall HR block was not that great whenever brokerage handling required to be slightly above basic for the year. Deluxe level customer (paychecks + very basic brokerage usage).
It appears a few things are true as of today:
- For worry-free tax experience, TT keeps being top of the line product / fewest hiccups with one-off tax situations. It costs a few more bucks than HR block, but I am happy to pay for that.
- based on reviews, TT seems to have no customer service now (like the rest of the products) so you pay for the product and you get what you get and you won't even get refund if it doesn't work.
So we are effectively in the "we don't care how you do your taxes" territory and with only a couple of companies in the market, choices to get your problem solved are not that great.
Have I missed anything, like another good product, which will be superior to TT, even if for more $$? I see no reason to pay an accounting firm, given my simple tax situation, and 20+ years experience doing it on my own.
I have used TT for 20+ years, and a few years I was with HR block, and then a few more years purchased both to duplicate all the calculations. After these comparisons I have been doing TT for the last few years b/c I recall HR block was not that great whenever brokerage handling required to be slightly above basic for the year. Deluxe level customer (paychecks + very basic brokerage usage).
It appears a few things are true as of today:
- For worry-free tax experience, TT keeps being top of the line product / fewest hiccups with one-off tax situations. It costs a few more bucks than HR block, but I am happy to pay for that.
- based on reviews, TT seems to have no customer service now (like the rest of the products) so you pay for the product and you get what you get and you won't even get refund if it doesn't work.
So we are effectively in the "we don't care how you do your taxes" territory and with only a couple of companies in the market, choices to get your problem solved are not that great.
Have I missed anything, like another good product, which will be superior to TT, even if for more $$? I see no reason to pay an accounting firm, given my simple tax situation, and 20+ years experience doing it on my own.
Hopefully we see it pop tomorrow there.
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Premier $64.99
Home and Business $75.99
Deluxe (No State) $36.99
https://www.costco.com/c/-/weekly...sider.
Savings from 1/19/25-2/8/25
(listing deluxe with state for this listing)
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