Last updated: September 21, 2026. Covers tax year 2025 returns (filed in 2026).
Quick answer: TurboTax Free Edition costs $0 for federal and state, but only for simple Form 1040 returns. Paid online editions list at $79 (Deluxe) and $139 (Premium) for federal, with state returns extra. Desktop software is a one-time purchase, starting at $84. Which one you need depends on your tax forms, not your income.
Here’s the thing about TurboTax pricing. The sticker price is rarely the final price. Your forms decide the edition, the edition decides the fee, and the calendar decides the discount.
This guide breaks all of it down. Real numbers, real scenarios, and a straight answer on whether to buy the software or file online.
TurboTax Pricing at a Glance (2026)
| Edition | Federal price | State return | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Edition | $0 | $0 | Simple W-2 returns, standard deduction |
| Deluxe (online) | $79 | About $39 to $64 | Homeowners, itemizers, donors |
| Premium (online) | $139 | About $39 to $64 | Investors, landlords, freelancers |
| Expert Assist | Roughly $79 to $209 | Extra | You file, an expert helps and reviews |
| Expert Full Service | Starts around $129 to $200 | Extra | An expert prepares and files for you |
| Desktop Deluxe | $84 | 1 state download included | One-time purchase, itemizers |
| Desktop Premier | $119 | 1 state download included | Investors and rental owners |
| Desktop Home & Business | $134 | 1 state download included | Freelancers, small business owners |
Prices are list prices from Intuit’s pricing pages and 2026 reviews from CNBC, NerdWallet, Forbes and Financer. State fees vary by source and filing date, so treat the range as a guide.
Why the price changes depending on when you file
TurboTax sets your price when you print or e-file, not when you start. Intuit says its strikethrough prices reflect late-season pricing, which runs April 1 through October 31.
Early filers get discounts. CNBC saw online Deluxe at $49 and Premium at $99 early in the season. If you’re filing on extension right now (the deadline is October 15), expect the higher price.
One more timing note. Products for tax year 2026, the returns you’ll file in 2027, launch later this year. Prices will shift again.
TurboTax Free vs Deluxe vs Premium: What Each Actually Covers
Most pricing pages skip this part, and it’s the part that matters. TurboTax charges by forms. A freelancer earning $5,000 needs the same edition as one earning $500,000, because both file Schedule C.
| What you’re filing | Free | Deluxe | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-2 income, standard deduction | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EITC, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Schedule 1-A (tips, overtime, car loan interest, seniors) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Itemized deductions (Schedule A) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Interest/dividends over $1,500 (Schedule B) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unemployment income (full 1099-G) | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1099-NEC/MISC income (income only) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Full Schedule C with business expenses | No | No | Yes |
| Home office deduction (Form 8829) | No | No | Yes |
| Stock and crypto sales (Schedule D, 1099-B, Form 8949) | No | No | Yes |
| Rental income (Schedule E) | No | No | Yes |
| K-1s (partnerships, S corps, trusts) | No | No | Yes |
| Access to a TurboTax product specialist | No (paid upgrade) | Yes | Yes |
Source: Intuit’s official form-coverage tables.
TurboTax Free Edition
Free covers simple Form 1040 returns only. Intuit says roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify. That’s lower than H&R Block’s free tier, which Forbes puts at around 52%.
The trap: mention a donation, a side gig or a stock sale during the interview, and TurboTax will steer you to a paid tier. Check the eligibility screen first.
TurboTax Deluxe
Deluxe is the itemizer’s edition. It unlocks Schedule A, so homeowners, big charitable donors and people with heavy medical bills land here. It searches 350+ deductions and credits.
It handles 1099-NEC income, but only the income side. Real business expenses need Premium.
TurboTax Premium
Premium folds the old Premier (investors) and Self-Employed editions into one. It’s the only online edition with the full Schedule C, Schedule D, Schedule E and K-1 support.
One warning from tax-software reviewers: online Deluxe doesn’t allow crypto entry at all. Sold any crypto? Go straight to Premium.
Which TurboTax Software Should I Use?
Pick by forms. Start with the situation that sounds most like yours.
| Your situation | Online edition | Desktop edition |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 only, standard deduction | Free Edition | Not worth buying |
| Homeowner or big donor who itemizes | Deluxe | Deluxe ($84) |
| Sold stocks or crypto, or own rental property | Premium | Premier ($119) |
| Freelancer or side hustle with expenses | Premium | Home & Business ($134) |
| You issue W-2s or 1099s to workers | Not covered | Home & Business |
| Filing a 1120, 1120-S or 1065 for an entity | Expert business options | Business ($194) |
| Want a pro to check your work | Expert Assist | Live Tax Advice add-on |
| Want to hand it all off | Expert Full Service | Not available |
Two rules of thumb.
Don’t buy up “just in case.” If you take the standard deduction, Free does the job. If you don’t sell investments, skip Premium.
Don’t buy down either. Start in Deluxe with a stock sale and TurboTax will ask you to upgrade halfway through. Intuit says so in its own FAQ.
Also worth knowing: Intuit’s current desktop lineup lists four editions (Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business, Business). Older guides still mention a Basic desktop edition that’s no longer on the price list.
Is It Cheaper to Buy TurboTax or Do It Online?
It depends on how many returns you’re filing and how complex they are. Desktop wins on multiple returns and complicated forms. Online wins for one simple return, because Free Edition costs nothing.
| Factor | Online | Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per return, plus a fee per state | One license covers up to 5 federal e-files |
| State return | Extra fee (about $39 to $64) | 1 state download included, $25 per state e-file, extra state download $45 |
| Expert help | Expert Assist and Full Service | $60 Live Tax Advice add-on only |
| Where your data lives | Cloud, plus mobile app | Locally on your PC or Mac |
| Best for | One simple return, or you want expert help | Several returns, complex forms, entity returns |
Real cost scenarios
These use list prices. Early-season discounts will change the math, so treat them as illustrations.
Scenario 1: Single W-2 filer, standard deduction.
Online Free: $0. Desktop: $84 or more. Online wins easily.
Scenario 2: One return, homeowner who itemizes, one state.
Online Deluxe: $79 plus $39 to $64 state, so about $118 to $143. Desktop Deluxe: $84 plus $25 state e-file, so about $109. Desktop saves roughly $9 to $34.
Scenario 3: One return with stock sales and a rental, one state.
Online Premium: $139 plus state, so about $178 to $203. Desktop Premier: $119 plus $25, so about $144. Desktop saves roughly $34 to $59.
Scenario 4: Two adults each filing a return, same state, both itemizing.
Online Deluxe twice: $158 plus two state returns, so about $236 to $286. Desktop Deluxe once: $84 plus two $25 state e-files, so about $134. Desktop saves over $100.
The trade-off: desktop means you install software, and you won’t get an expert to do it for you. Online lets you upgrade to expert help mid-return.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy TurboTax Software?
This is the desktop question, and Intuit’s own price list has the answer.
| Desktop edition | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe | $84 | Federal prep, up to 5 federal e-files, 1 state download |
| Premier | $119 | Same, with extra guidance for investments and rentals |
| Home & Business | $134 | Same, plus W-2 and 1099 creation for small businesses |
| Business | $194 | Business entity returns |
Add-ons run separately:
- State e-file: $25 per return (not charged for New York and Washington)
- Additional state download: $45
- Live Tax Advice: $60
- Audit Defense: $40 (Deluxe), $45 (Premier), $60 (Home & Business and Business)
Retailers often discount desktop software in January and February. SmartAsset reported roughly $70 for Deluxe and $105 for Premier in April 2026, both below list price.
Desktop also has a 60-day money-back guarantee. And check system requirements before you buy: the 2025 version needs Windows 11 or later, or macOS Sonoma 14 or newer, according to Intuit’s community.
Important: Intuit says desktop software is “not for use by paid preparers.” More on that below.
How Easy Is It to Do TurboTax on Your Own?
Pretty easy, honestly. Ease of use is the one thing reviewers agree TurboTax does best. NerdWallet rated it the best tax software for ease of use this year, and CNBC calls the interface easy enough for novice filers to master.
What makes it easy
- Interview-style questions. You answer plain-language questions and TurboTax picks the forms.
- Snap and import. Photograph a W-2 or import it from your employer or bank.
- Last year’s data carries over. If you filed with TurboTax before, it fills in a lot for you.
- Save and come back. Your return saves as you go, so you can finish later.
- AI help built in. Intuit Assist answers tax questions as you work.
- CompleteCheck. It scans the return for errors before you file.
Where people get stuck
- Choosing the right edition. This is the biggest source of surprise bills.
- Upsells. Several reviewers complain about repeated prompts to upgrade or add services.
- Complex forms. K-1s, crypto and rental depreciation still need your attention.
- No forms mode online. Long-time desktop users say they miss the ability to work directly in forms.
Intuit’s own review page shows 4.7 out of 5 stars across roughly 194,000 reviews. That’s Intuit’s data on Intuit’s site, so weigh it accordingly.
Bottom line. If your return is W-2 income plus common deductions, most people can finish alone. For rentals, K-1s or a mid-year move across states, Expert Assist is worth pricing out first.
Expert Assist vs Expert Full Service
Both put a human in the process. The difference is who does the work.
Expert Assist means you prepare the return and unlimited on-demand experts answer questions and review it before you file. Intuit says its experts average 12 years of experience.
Expert Full Service means a dedicated expert prepares, signs and files for you. The “starting at” price covers one federal return with one W-2 and one Form 1040. Extra forms raise it, and you’ll see an estimate before work starts.
Forbes noted in April 2026 that Full Service started at $129, against about $220 for the average CPA’s starting fee. Business returns cost more, so get the estimate first.
Hidden Costs and Fees to Watch
- State returns. Free Edition includes state. Paid editions charge extra per state.
- Pay-with-refund fee. Paying TurboTax from your refund adds a $40 service fee.
- Mid-return upgrades. Forms you didn’t mention at the start can trigger a higher edition.
- Audit Defense. Full IRS representation is a paid add-on. Standard audit support is informational only.
- Faster refunds. Getting your refund up to 5 days early in your own bank account costs a fee.
- Late-season pricing. Waiting until after March 31 can raise the price.
TurboTax vs H&R Block vs FreeTaxUSA: Is TurboTax Worth the Price?
TurboTax is one of the pricier options. Reviewers agree on that. What you’re paying for is polish, imports and human help.
| TurboTax | H&R Block | FreeTaxUSA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier coverage | About 37% of filers | About 52% of filers | Federal is $0 for all situations |
| State return | About $39 to $64 | Around $37 | Around $15 |
| Standout strength | Ease of use, imports, QuickBooks link | Free tier breadth, in-person offices | Lowest total cost |
Third-party 2026 comparisons (Forbes Advisor, WalletGrower, Wealthvieu, TrendHarvest). Verify current prices at checkout.
Two other things worth checking before you pay anyone: IRS Free File, which has an income limit, and Cash App Taxes, which is free. The IRS Direct File program isn’t available for the 2026 filing season.
Simple return, price-sensitive? Try a cheaper option first. Complex return, want the smoothest experience? TurboTax earns its fee.
What Does the TurboTax Guarantee Cover?
All paid products share the same core promises, backed for seven years.
- 100% accurate calculations. If a TurboTax calculation error causes an IRS penalty, Intuit pays the penalty and interest.
- Maximum refund. If an amended return elsewhere gets you more, they refund what you paid for TurboTax. Free Edition users get $30.
- Audit support. One-on-one guidance from a tax professional if you receive an audit letter.
Read the fine print. Audit support isn’t IRS representation, and it isn’t legal advice.
Can Tax Preparers Use TurboTax for Clients?
No. Intuit says TurboTax is licensed for personal use only and directs professionals to its pro products. The desktop terms say it isn’t for paid preparers.
If you prepare returns for a fee, you need professional software like Lacerte, ProSeries, Drake or UltraTax. And whatever software you pick, you’re responsible for protecting client data.
That means a Written Information Security Plan (WISP), which the FTC Safeguards Rule and IRS Publication 4557 expect from tax preparers. TechFiscal’s WISP compliance service drafts and reviews that documentation so it holds up if a regulator, insurer or client asks.
Running professional tax software across a team? Cloud migration for CPA firms moves desktop tax software off fragile office machines. Security solutions cover endpoint protection, MFA and encryption. You can see the full picture on TechFiscal’s IT for CPA firms page.
Frequently Asked Questions About TurboTax Pricing
How much does it cost to buy TurboTax software?
Intuit’s desktop price list shows Deluxe at $84, Premier at $119, Home & Business at $134 and Business at $194. Each includes up to five federal e-files and one state download. State e-file adds $25 per return. Retailers often discount these early in the season.
Which TurboTax software should I use?
Choose by your tax forms. Free Edition suits simple W-2 returns. Deluxe suits homeowners who itemize. Premium (or desktop Premier) suits stock sales, crypto, rentals and K-1s. Freelancers with expenses need Premium online or Home & Business on desktop.
Is it cheaper to buy TurboTax or do it online?
For one simple return, online is cheaper because Free Edition costs $0. For several returns or complex forms, desktop is usually cheaper. One desktop license covers up to five federal e-files, while online charges per return and per state.
How easy is it to do TurboTax on your own?
Easy for most people. TurboTax asks plain-language questions, imports W-2s, carries over last year’s data and checks for errors. The hard parts are picking the right edition and handling complex forms like K-1s, crypto and rentals. Expert Assist is there if you get stuck.
Is TurboTax really free?
Yes, for simple Form 1040 returns. About 37% of taxpayers qualify. Itemized deductions, freelance income, stock sales and rental income push you into a paid edition.
What’s the difference between TurboTax Deluxe and Premium?
Deluxe supports itemized deductions (Schedule A) and common credits. Premium adds the full Schedule C, stock and crypto sales (Schedule D), rental income (Schedule E) and K-1s.
Is TurboTax Deluxe worth it?
It’s worth it if you itemize, especially with a mortgage, large donations or high medical costs. If you take the standard deduction on a simple return, Free Edition does the same job at no cost.
Do I need TurboTax Premium if I’m self-employed?
If you have business expenses to deduct, yes. Deluxe covers 1099-NEC income only, not the full Schedule C. Premium handles business expenses, the home office deduction and self-employment tools.
Does TurboTax charge extra for state returns?
Free Edition includes state at no cost. Paid online editions charge per state, and reviewers report about $39 to $64 depending on timing. Desktop includes one state download and charges $25 to e-file each state return.
How much is TurboTax Expert Full Service?
It starts around $129 to $200 for one federal return with one W-2 and a Form 1040, depending on the source and timing. Extra forms raise the price, and you get an estimate before your expert begins.
What’s the difference between Expert Assist and Full Service?
With Expert Assist, you prepare the return and an expert helps and reviews it. With Full Service, a dedicated expert prepares, signs and files it for you.
Do I pay if I don’t finish my return?
No. You can start for free and pay only when you print or file. The price is set at that moment, so the date you file matters.
Can a tax preparer use TurboTax for clients?
No. TurboTax is licensed for personal use only. Paid preparers need professional tax software, plus a WISP to meet FTC and IRS data-security expectations.
Does TurboTax offer an audit guarantee?
Yes. Paid products include audit support and accuracy guarantees for seven years. Audit support is informational, and IRS representation costs extra through Audit Defense.
Is there a cheaper alternative to TurboTax?
Yes. FreeTaxUSA charges $0 federal for all situations, and H&R Block’s free tier covers more filers than TurboTax’s. TurboTax’s advantage is ease of use, imports and expert options.
The Bottom Line
Match the edition to your forms, not your budget. Free for simple returns, Deluxe for itemizers, Premium for investments and business income, desktop when you’re filing several returns.
And check the price on the day you file. It moves.
If you prepare returns for other people, skip consumer software and lock down your data security first. TechFiscal can help with your WISP and IT setup before next filing season.
