FreeTaxUSA vs. TurboTax (Updated for 2026)

TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA are online tax preparation services that can be used by individuals and businesses. TurboTax is more full-featured and has lots of built-in guidance, as well as helpful support delivered by phone or chat. However, some services can be significantly more expensive. FreeTaxUSA charges nothing to file federal tax returns but additional services that include support by phone or chat and filing state returns will cost you.

If you need help at tax time, a financial advisor may be able to assist you with tax return preparation.

TurboTax Basics

TurboTax is one of the most popular tax return services and filers can choose from a variety of plans to meet their needs. The user interface is well-designed and the company provides lots of tools and guides as well as extensive customer support. If that’s not enough, you can also get help from a live tax expert.

TurboTax offers four filing options with different pricing points:

TurboTax Do It Yourself: Filers complete their own returns online with guided software. This path includes the Free Edition for simple tax situations and paid tiers for more complex needs such as itemized deductions, investment reporting, rental income and self-employment income. Pricing starts at $0 for basic use and can go up to around $99 for the more advanced self-employed tier for federal returns, plus an additional fee for state returns.
TurboTax Expert Assist: This path lets you prepare your own tax return but gives you access to on-demand support from tax experts who can answer questions as you go and provide a final review before you file. Pricing for Expert Assist generally falls in the $39 to $159 range for federal returns, with a separate state filing fee.
TurboTax Expert Full Service: With this option, a dedicated tax professional handles your return from start to finish. You provide your documents and an expert prepares, reviews and files your tax return for you. TurboTax’s listed price of $150 includes both federal and state returns.

The cost for state returns currently ranges from $0 to $49, depending on whether you e-file. If you’re self-employed or own a business, claim a lot of credits or require more than the usual number of tax forms, for example, you’ll need to use higher tier services.

TurboTax can be more expensive, but it provides some guarantees that could make it worthwhile. For example, the company guarantees you won’t get a bigger refund anywhere else. It backs that up with an offer to refund everything you paid to use the service if another return preparer gets you a larger refund. Its accuracy guarantee also includes a promise to pay any penalty and interest resulting from an error.

FreeTaxUSA Basics

FreeTaxUSA is among the least expensive tools to help you file your taxes. It handles federal and state tax returns and offers features such as automatic transfer of information if you used the program for the previous year’s return.

FreeTaxUSA has three filing options: Basic, Deluxe and Pro Support. All three offer free federal returns but charge $15.99 per state return.

Basic is for less complicated returns but includes all major tax forms, as well as agent support via email or the in-app support center.
Deluxe caters to investors, those with rental income and people who sold their home in the previous year. You can live chat with tax specialists and get unlimited amended returns for $7.99.
Pro Support offers you access to an expert for personal tax advice and phone support at $44.99.

Optional add-ons include Audit Defense (for $19.99 they will communicate with the IRS on your behalf); unlimited amended returns for $17.97 (this service is free for Deluxe and Pro Support filers); get professionally printed returns for $8.96 and professionally bound returns for $17.96.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA:

Feature	TurboTax	FreeTaxUSA
Federal Tax Return Cost	$0-$159	Free
State Tax Filing Cost	$0-$49	$15.99
Support	Phone, chat online user group	Email and online message center
Guarantees	Accuracy, maximum refund	Accuracy
Audit assistance	Optional paid add-on	Included in the Audit Defense for $19.99 fee
User interface	Includes lots of guidance but more complex	Simple, basic and unadorned

Even with user-friendly software, estimating your tax liability in advance can help you avoid surprises and better understand how different income sources, deductions and credits affect your final bill.

Before choosing a filing platform, it can be helpful to run the numbers using realistic assumptions about your income and tax situation. Our income tax calculator can provide a quick estimate of what you may owe or receive as a refund based on your inputs.

Income Tax Calculator

Calculate your federal, state and local taxes for the 2025 tax year.

Your 2025 Total Income Taxes

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Federal Income & FICA Taxes

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State Taxes

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Local Taxes

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About This Calculator

Our income tax calculator calculates your federal, state and local taxes based on several key inputs: your household income, location, filing status and number of personal exemptions.

How Income Taxes Are Calculated

First, we calculate your adjusted gross income (AGI) by taking your total household income and reducing it by certain items such as contributions to your 401(k).
Next, from AGI we subtract exemptions and deductions (either itemized or standard) to get your taxable income. Exemptions can be claimed for each taxpayer.
Based on your filing status, your taxable income is then applied to the tax brackets to calculate your federal income taxes owed for the year.
Your location will determine whether you owe local and / or state taxes.

When Do We Update? - We check for any updates to the latest tax rates and regulations annually.

Customer Service - If you would like to leave any feedback, feel free to email info@smartasset.com.

Assumptions

Deductions

"Other Pre-Tax Deductions" are not used to calculate state taxable income.

Credits

The only federal credit automatically calculated is the Savers Credit, depending on your eligibility.
We do not apply any refundable credits, like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
We do not apply state credits in our calculations.

Itemized Deductions

If itemizing at the federal level, you may need to itemize at the state level too. Some states don't allow itemized deductions, which is accounted for in our calculations.
When calculating the SALT deduction for itemized deductions, we use state and local taxes, and we assume your MAGI.
We assume that there is no cap to itemized deductions, if a state allows them.
We do not categorize itemized deductions (such as medical expenses or mortgage interest), which could be subject to specific caps per state.

Local Tax

Depending on the state, we calculate local taxes at the city level or county level. We do not include local taxes on school districts, metro areas or combine county and city taxes.
With the exception of NYC, Yonkers, and Portland/Multnomah County, we assume local taxes are a flat tax on either state taxable income or gross income.

Actual results may vary based on individual circumstances and changes in tax laws or IRS regulations. Estimates provided by this calculator do not guarantee income tax amounts or rates. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

SmartAsset.com does not provide legal, tax, accounting or financial advice (except for referring users to third-party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States). Articles, opinions and tools are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Users should consult their accountant, tax advisor or legal professional to address their particular situation.

Bottom Line

TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA can handle tax return preparation for most taxpayers. FreeTaxUSA can charge nothing to file federal returns and only $15.99 per state return but offers limit user support and guides. TurboTax will file simple federal returns free of charge and provide robust information and support, but more complex returns and levels of support can cost up to $159, plus up to $49 per state tax return.

Tax Filing Tips

If you have questions about your tax situation, a financial advisor with tax expertise can help. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
SmartAsset’s Federal Income Tax Calculator can provide important information for your financial plan by estimating how much you will owe in income taxes this year. You can get a basic idea of your future tax obligation as well as your take-home pay by entering your location, income and filing status. The more advanced estimator accounts for 401(k) and IRA contributions, itemized deductions and personal exemptions.