<p><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/6001e01f660f6c001834979c-1668/how%20much%20does%20TurboTax%20cost%204x3.png" border="0" alt="how much does TurboTax cost 4x3" data-mce-source="iStock; TurboTax; Gilbert Espinoza/Insider"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="disclaimer" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="pfi"></bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><ul class="summary-list"><li aria-level="1">TurboTax is one of the most popular tax software providers, but it's not the cheapest.</li><li aria-level="1">TurboTax's three DIY packages cost between $60 and $120 for federal returns, plus an extra $50 for state returns.</li><li aria-level="1">The more complex your situation, the more expensive it will be. The cost can go up if you enlist one-on-one help from an expert.</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-best-tax-software" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See Personal Finance Insider's picks for best tax software </a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/turbotax-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TurboTax</a> is arguably the most well-known tax software provider in the United States.</p><p>It caters to taxpayers of all stripes and offers seemingly endless options for preparing your income tax return and getting the maximum <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/wheres-my-tax-refund-federal-tax-refund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">refund</a>, if you're owed one.</p><p>Here's a brief look at the cost of using TurboTax. You'll find more details below.</p><table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 150px;" border="1"><tbody><tr style="height: 65px;"><td style="width: 23.0519%; height: 65px;"></td><td style="width: 17.5975%; height: 65px;">DIY online filing</td><td style="width: 20.9415%; height: 65px;">DIY + expert access</td><td style="width: 19.6429%; height: 65px;">Full-service expert</td><td style="width: 18.7662%; height: 65px;">Computer software</td></tr><tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="width: 23.0519%; height: 43px;">Federal return cost</td><td style="width: 17.5975%; height: 43px;">$0 - $120</td><td style="width: 20.9415%; height: 43px;">$50 - $200</td><td style="width: 19.6429%; height: 43px;">$130 - $290</td><td style="width: 18.7662%; height: 43px;">$50 - $120</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 23.0519%; height: 21px;">State return cost</td><td style="width: 17.5975%; height: 21px;">$0 - $50</td><td style="width: 20.9415%; height: 21px;">$0 - $55</td><td style="width: 19.6429%; height: 21px;">$45 - $55</td><td style="width: 18.7662%; height: 21px;">$45</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 23.0519%; height: 21px;">Federal + state</td><td style="width: 17.5975%; height: 21px;">$0 - $170</td><td style="width: 20.9415%; height: 21px;">$50 - $255</td><td style="width: 19.6429%; height: 21px;">$130 - $345</td><td style="width: 18.7662%; height: 21px;">$95 - $165</td></tr></tbody></table><bi-shortcode id="table-of-contents-sticky" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="h2">Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky</bi-shortcode><h2>How much does it cost to file your taxes with TurboTax'</h2><aside class="quick-tip headline-regular"><p>Tax prep companies frequently offer discounts on products early in the season. The prices listed in this article do not include any discounts. You can check the company's website to see current offers.</p></aside><p>You can pay as little as $0 or as much as $345. The more complicated your tax situationi.e. the more streams of income you have and/or the more <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/claiming-home-office-tax-deduction-work-from-home-2020-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deductions</a> or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-tax-credit-definition-explainer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">credits</a> you qualify forthe more expensive it will be to prepare your return with TurboTax. Likewise, the more expert help you enlist, the more you'll pay. And if you're filing a state return too, there will usually be an extra fee.</p><p>TurboTax offers three main ways to prepare and file taxes: do-it-yourself online packages, TurboTax Live, and downloadable computer software. Each of these categories offers different price points, which are determined by which tax forms you need and how much help you want. A quick quiz you can take on the TurboTax site (pictured below) will narrow down the options available to you.</p><p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5ffface3a8de7700187d3c89-2302/Screen%20Shot%202021-01-13%20at%2062702%20PM.png" border="0" alt="turbotax DIY" data-mce-source="TurboTax"></p><p>The DIY packages are the cheapest, since you're filling out every form yourself. If you don't qualify for the Basic (free) version, these cost either $60, $90, or $120, not considering discounts.</p><p><strong>You can expect to pay more if you have any of the following:</strong></p><ul><li>Small business expenses that may qualify for deductions</li><li>Rental income and expenses that may qualify for deductions</li><li>Investment income on stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency</li></ul><p>TurboTax Live is an amped up version of the DIY packages that offers more hand-holding while filling out your forms, plus instant access to a tax expert (in English or Spanish) and a final review before you file. These packages cost between $50 and $200, not considering discounts.</p><aside class="quick-tip headline-regular">The TurboTax Basic Live package, usually $50, is <strong>free until March 27, 2021</strong>. It supports W-2 income, retirement account distributions, unemployment income, interest and dividend income, the earned income tax credit, and the child tax credit. You'll get unlimited access to an expert and a final review before you file. <a href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/live" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more </a></aside><p>TurboTax Live also has a Full Service version that allows you to hand off your tax documents to an expert who will complete your return, file it, and provide you with a summary. These packages cost between $130 and $290, not considering discounts.</p><div><iframe src="https://smartasset.com/captivate/frame/ucznodjd" width="100%" height="650px" scrolling="auto" style="border: none;"></iframe></div><p>If you prefer to use <a href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">downloadable computer software</a> to prepare your return, the most basic version costs $50. That includes up to five federal returns, but state returns are an additional $45. The other three computer software packages are ideal for maximizing deductions and reporting investment and rental property income or business income. These include up to five federal returns and one state return, and cost between $80 and $120, not considering any discounts.</p><aside class="quick-tip headline-regular"><strong>Why is it so hard to predict my costs' </strong>It's not as simple as choosing a filing package based on the type of income you earn. TurboTax also considers which deductions you might qualify for, and some of these have nothing to do with how you earn money. Assume you'll pay on the higher end of the cost range so there are no unpleasant surprises when it's time to check out.</aside><h2>Is TurboTax really free'</h2><p>Yes, TurboTax really has a free option for both federal and state returns, and you can use it at any income level. The free version supports W-2 income, retirement account distributions, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/are-unemployment-benefits-taxed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unemployment income</a>, interest and dividend income, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-the-earned-income-credit-refundable-tax-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earned income tax credit</a>, and the child tax credit.</p><p>You can even start preparing your return using the free version, and if TurboTax recognizes that you'll need additional forms, it will prompt you to upgrade. Fees aren't due until you file your return, regardless of which package you choose.</p><p>All enlisted <a href="https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/military-edition.jsp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">active duty military and reservists</a> can file for free using any of TurboTax's DIY online packages.</p><h2>Is TurboTax or H&R Block better'</h2><p>When it comes to cost, TurboTax is slightly more expensive than H&R Block, but its product is about the same. Both offer solid customer service, an easy-to-use interface, and clear instructions and guidance, though there are some variations between packages.</p><p>Beyond the free versions, here's how they stack up on cost for the DIY online filing options (not considering any discount offers):</p><table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 105px;" border="1"><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;"></td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">TurboTax</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">H&R Block</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Deluxe</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$60</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$49.99</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Premier/Premium</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$90</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$69.99</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Self-employed</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$120</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$109.99</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Additional state return fee</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$50</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">$36.99</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Are there other fees I should know about'</h2><p>Like other tax providers, TurboTax gives users the option to pay for the cost of tax preparation services out of their federal refund. It's an alternative to pulling out your debit or credit card and paying on the spot. It might be more convenient to go this route, but TurboTax will tack on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/online-tax-filing-fees-dont-pay-with-refund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a $40 processing fee</a>.</p><p>That means, for example, that instead of paying $110 now for the Deluxe package, and getting your full refund in a few weeks, you'll pay $0 now, and get what's left of your refund after TurboTax takes its share ($110 + $40 = $150). If you don't have the cash available to pay now and you expect to get a large refund, it might be worth the extra fee.</p><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/turbotax-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read our full TurboTax review </a></h3><bi-shortcode id="related-content-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="more-tax-coverage" data-sheetname="More Tax Coverage">Related Content Module: More Tax Coverage</bi-shortcode><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-much-does-turbotax-cost#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p>
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