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.
TurboTax Deluxe download can handle stock sales and capital loss carryovers for multiple years.
TurboTax Deluxe download can import brokerage data and generate proper forms without full guidance.
TurboTax Deluxe download supports investment-related forms and can handle K-1 partnerships.
Costco's bundle can include a $10 in-app credit that applies toward state e-file fees.
Amazon checkout and bundle terms can be confusing, including cases where the $10 gift card or credits do not apply as expected.
TurboTax Desktop 2025 requires Windows 11 and will not run on Windows 10.
TurboTax Deluxe may require manual adjustments for complex items like multiple K-1s and municipal bonds.
TurboTax 2025 step-by-step planning sections reportedly had missing items and stopped updating after Dec 17.
Common Questions (6)
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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I use the Deluxe version. Even though it doesn't "offer guidance" into some of these items, it still imports and generates the proper forms. Hopefully by next year, I'll be able to switch over to something else like FreeTaxUSA.
If you have rental properties or you receive K‑1s, Premier is designed to guide you through depreciation, basis tracking, passive activity rules, and the various supplemental statements that often come with those forms. Deluxe may let you enter the data manually, but it won't give you the same level of explanation or error‑checking, and it may prompt you to upgrade once you start entering more advanced items.
In short, Deluxe works for simpler returns, but Premier gives you the extra help and structure that makes investment and rental reporting easier and less error‑prone. If your return includes rentals or K‑1s, Premier is usually the smoother experience.
Edit: TurboTax Desktop products include all the same forms.
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If you're a straight W-2 person, freetaxusa is probably a good choice. No need to overpay for something you don't need.
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""up to $20" not active until 19th
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