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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848 Comments
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TurboTax Advantage" auto renew, and TurboTax Deluxe. Same price. Can I turn off the auto renew and is the Advantage version the desktop version plus extras?
Deluxe 100% does everything. It has slightly less help for very specific items in the interview.
(note, you will have to transfer the numbers from your completed TT state forms or just do the whole thing on your state website if it has a useable interface).
It includes one state download - that means it will prepare a tax return for one state. If you want to e-file that state return you must pay (unless you live in a state that has mandated free e-file)
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Deluxe 100% does everything. It has slightly less help for very specific items in the interview.
Intuit must be so proud that their advertising has been so successful.
Intuit must be so proud that their advertising has been so successful.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/i...b13d59693d
How does a LLM Chatbot AI make the process substantially different? All the steps still need to occur such as provide access to your accounts and retrieve financial data, ask questions about your situation, ask you to review what it calculates. etc.
AI is great but not seeing how this substantially changes the game.
I'll keep using the download version until they don't offer it anymore and at that point I'll have to make some hard decisions, doing my return online doesn't sit well with me.
Picked up info to: Only need Deluxe // Use Fidelity Discount and link/process shown in thread // Use Chase CC discount.
Net Price $ 35.45
Thanks to all!!
Specific example. The TT forums are full of questions why the educational credits forms are not populated correctly since you enter the answers to the interview. Then you look at the form and it is wrong. You dont actually see the entry in the form when you type the answer, you need to bring up the form and it is wrong. In HRB, when you type the answer, you see the entry in the form change. Turns out that in TT the entry doesnt change the form unless you go thru the entire section interview completely.
How does a LLM Chatbot AI make the process substantially different? All the steps still need to occur such as provide access to your accounts and retrieve financial data, ask questions about your situation, ask you to review what it calculates. etc.
AI is great but not seeing how this substantially changes the game.
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