CNBC Select has run more than a dozen tax software programs through their paces to find the best in a variety of categories.

TurboTax and H&R Block have software for a range of situations, with built-in checks to catch missed deductions and credits.

We compared the top free tax software options to help the do-it-yourself tax filers find the cheapest option in 2026.

Figuring out which is the best tax software for you comes down to a few factors. First, you'll want to understand the complexity of your taxes. Simple taxes typically include W-2 income and the ...

Tax season officially starts on January 26, and this year brings major changes thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025. These changes affect your 2025 return filed in ...

Tax season is here, and while it’s not necessarily an occasion most people celebrate, you don’t have to struggle over your taxes anymore. Thanks to tax software programs, you can file your taxes in ...

You can get 100% free federal and state tax filing with Cash App Taxes. But this no-frills, no feature, no expert support ...

Few people enjoy preparing their annual income tax returns, but it's that time again, and there are plenty of ways to get free in-person assistance or free tax-preparation software. For most people ...

Direct File is the IRS free tax preparation software program. Direct File is currently in its pilot phase, available in 25 states. To use Direct File, you have to meet certain criteria. If you don’t ...

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lars Peterson joined Investopedia in 2023 as a senior editor of financial product ...

Tax season is on the horizon, which means it’s time to research and revisit the many competing software providers to find the one that best suits your needs for your unique tax situation. You might be ...

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lars Peterson joined Investopedia in 2023 as a senior editor of financial product ...