Turbotax
- Plans and pricing: Free Edition (37% of taxpayers qualify. Simple Form 1040 returns only.), Do It Yourself ($0-$139 Federal), Expert Assist ($79-$209 Federal), Expert Full Service (starting at $129 Federal); Additional state for paid products; Limited time $150 full service offer through 2/28/26
- Key Features: Instant Guidance, Snap & Import Document Upload, Complete Check™ Error Scanning, 100% Accuracy & Maximum Money Back Guarantees, Audit Support, Unlimited Expert Support (Expert Support), Mobile Self Help, All Tax Support, AP Powered Intuit, Snap & Import Document Upload, Fully Support, AI Powered Intuit Intuit For Audit Support (Expert Help), For the flat. 2/28/26 If you didn’t file with TurboTax last year, year-round expert access when you file with Expert Assistance or Full Service
- Benefits: Industry-leading ease of use, AI assistance simplifies complex situations, flexible expert options, 7-year guarantees, supports all tax situations (W-2s to self-employment/investment), free mobile app available for new users self-filing provision through 2/28/26, 5-day return submission
- Disadvantages: Free edition limited to 1040 returns (no schedules other than EITC, CTC, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A), late-season pricing increases for complex returns, expert services at premium cost, refund advance and initial filing fees
Special Mini Crashers offer: Extra 20% off
As the #1 best-selling tax software in America, TurboTax has built its reputation on flexibility—meeting you exactly where you are on your tax journey. Whether you’re a first-time filer with a single W-2, a mid-career professional maxing out deductions, or a small business owner navigating a complex tax situation, TurboTax provides a solution that matches your confidence level and budget.
The 2025 tax year gets a significant boost, especially with AI-powered Intuit Help providing real-time guidance as you file. Coupled with special limited-time offers such as the $150 Expert Full Service promotion and the free mobile app Self-Assessment for new customers (both through February 28, 2026), Turbotax provides exceptional value on all service levels.
Key Features
Turbotax’s strength lies in its three-tiered approach, allowing you to choose the level of involvement and expert support that matches your needs.
Plans and pricing
- Turbotax Free Edition ($0 Federal + $0 State + $0 to file) Provides completely free tax preparation for easy profits. About 37% of taxpayers are eligible. Eligibility requires a simplified Form 1040 return with no schedules except for the Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Student Loan Interest, and Schedule 1-A. If you have no W-2 income, standard deduction, and basic retirement distributions with no itemization or investments, the free edition handles your return at zero cost.
- Limited Time: Free Mobile App Offer – File for free if you start and end in the Turbotax or Credit Karma mobile app by February 28, 2026. New customers only (not filed with Turbotax in 2024). It works from simple to complex.
- Do it yourself ($0-$99 federal, plus state) Scales in three levels. Deluxe ($49 federal) supports homeowners with maximum deductibles. Premium ($99 federal) handles investments, rental properties, and self-employment income.
- Expert Support ($39-$159 federal, plus state) Combines DIY software with unlimited access to tax experts. They answer questions as you work and do a final review before you file. Basic $39, Deluxe $79, Premium at $159 Federal.
- Expert Full Service (starting at $89 federal, state extra) – Limited Time: Up to $150 through February 28, 2026. A dedicated expert handles the preparation from start to finish. This promotion is only applicable to customers who have not used Expert Full Service in 2024. Standard pricing starts at $89 for easy returns, with final costs determined by required forms and schedules.
- Expert full service for business
Do it yourself: File on your own terms
The DIY experience centers on simplicity. Upload document images, files, or import directly from employers and financial institutions. Turbotax auto-populates forms, eliminating manual entry. AI-powered Intuit Assist provides instant explanations in conversational language—from explaining deduction differences to clarifying cryptocurrency reporting.
Complete Check™ is powered by continuous error detection, scanning for information and calculation errors. Before filing, it performs a comprehensive review checking for more than 40 common errors. If TurboTax has made a calculation error that results in IRS penalties, the platform pays those penalties.
Expert Support: Get expert help when you need it
Expert Support provides unlimited expert access in addition to DIY software. Reach out via phone, chat, or live video to ask questions or get clarification on complex situations. This service includes a final expert review before you file – a tax professional examines your return, checks for missed deductions, and makes sure you’re maximizing your refund.
For confident filers who want expert endorsement without the full-service cost, Expert Assistant provides peace of mind. Mid-career professionals with W-2 income as well as added complexity like side gigs or investments get comprehensive support at moderate prices.
Expert Full Service: Tax Filing
Expert flips the full-service model completely – a dedicated tax expert handles everything while you’re minimally involved. After uploading the documents, you are matched with an expert based on your state and tax complexity. Your specialist prepares your complete return, explains your situation, identifies opportunities to reduce liability, and answers questions before you file.
Critically, in preparation for your role as an expert, accept professional responsibility for accuracy. If the IRS assesses a penalty due to an expert error, TurboTax pays both the penalty and interest. The current $150 maximum promotion makes Full Service Expert exceptionally competitive with local tax preparers.
Warranties and Protection
Turbotax backs all products for 7 years with comprehensive guarantees:
- 100% accurate calculation guaranteed – TurboTax pays IRS or state penalties from accounting errors. You are only responsible for additional tax liabilities.
- Maximum Money Back Guarantee If you get a larger refund by filing an amended return, TurboTax refunds your purchase price. Free edition users receive $30.
- Audit support guarantee If you receive an audit letter, TurboTax provides one-to-one guidance from tax professionals covering your current return plus the last two years.
- Expert Approved Guarantee – For expert support and full expert service, if you pay fines due to expert error, Turbotax pays the fines and interest.
Benefits
- Unparalleled flexibility in tax complexity
Turbotax serves everyone from first-time filers with W-2s to small business owners reporting Schedule C income, rent, investments, and cryptocurrency. The tiered structure lets you simplify and upgrade only when needed. - AI help that actually helps
Intuit Assist provides contextual guidance for your questions as expected. The system explains complex concepts in plain language and shows exactly how decisions affect your refund. - Expert options for every preference
Whether you want on-demand answers or complete hands-on service, Turbotax provides qualified experts with over 12 years of experience. Choose the level of involvement of your expert and pay only for the required service. - Industry leading guarantees
Guaranteed accuracy, maximum refunds, and an audit support guarantee provide peace of mind covering the entire IRS audit window for up to 7 years. - Limited time offer provides exceptional value
Maximum 150+ Expert Full Service Promotion & Free Mobile App Filing Extends Professional Services at DIY Prices.
Disadvantages
- The limitations of the free edition exclude many filers
Only 37% of filers are eligible. Itemized deductions, unemployment income, business income, investments, or rental property immediately require a $49-$139 expense tier. - Premium pricing for complex situations
Self-employed filers, investors, and rental property owners face prices in the $79-$209 range, with competitors like Freetaxa or Taxlayer significantly higher. - Expert service prices may increase
Although the expert’s full service starts at $129 and currently caps at $150 during the promotion, final prices depend on the forms required. Complex situations can lead to unexpected cost increases. - Refunds and initial deposit fees
A $40 return processing fee and a 5-day initial deposit fee offset the cost of the refund. The aggressive advertising of these add-ons feels predatory for budget-conscious filers.
The last word
Turbotax Stands out as the best tax preparation solution for the majority of American taxpayers. The platform’s power lies in meeting you exactly where you are—whether you’re filing a simple W-2, maximizing deductions independently with occasional expert guidance, or delegating the entire process to a professional.
This experience itself is the gold standard for user-friendly tax software. AI-powered Intuit Assist turns tax filing into a guided experience where you understand not just what to report, but why it matters. Snap and import document handling and Complete Check™ error detection provide confidence that your return is correct before filing.
For those looking for expert help, TurboTax’s tiered approach provides real value. Expert Assistant provides unlimited access to tax professionals without having to handle the entire process. A full expert service eliminates your taxes entirely by maintaining communication with a dedicated expert matched to your situation. Advertising the current $150 maximum through February 28, 2026 Expert’s full service is exceptionally competitive with local tax preparers while providing superior guarantees.
Comprehensive guarantees – 100% accuracy, maximum refunds, and audit support backed by up to 7 years – provide protection unmatched in the tax software industry. You get the long-term peace of mind that if something goes wrong, Turbotax has you covered.
TurboTax isn’t the cheapest option, and complicated returns push prices into the $79-$209 range. But for its combination of ease of use, AI assistance, flexible expert options, and comprehensive guarantees, TurboTax justifies the premium.
Don’t forget: Money Crashers readers receive an exclusive extra 20% off
Other limited time offers:
- Expert full service capped at $150 through 2/28/26
- File in person via mobile app 100% free 2/28/26 (new users only)
TurboTax offers the most comprehensive tax filing experience available, with options for every filer from free simplified returns to dedicated expert service. A combination of AI-powered guidance, flexible expert assistance, and industry-leading guarantees make TurboTax the best choice to maximize your refund with complete confidence.
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