15 Best Free Tax Software in 2023 (Ranked and Reviewed)

If you’re looking for free tax preparation software to help you get your taxes done quickly and accurately in 2023, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of available free tax programs, ranked and reviewed for their features, user-friendly designs, and overall value. Whether you’re a single freelancer or an owner of a small business, taxes can be a difficult and overwhelming task. You can quickly finish the chore with minimal stress and maximum savings by choosing the free tax software.

We’ve evaluated the free tax preparation software in 2023, so you can trust that our list provides unbiased and accurate reviews. We’ve broken down each program by its features, pricing structure, Ease of use, customer support options, and any other unique qualities it may offer.

So read on to find out which free tax software suits your needs for 2023!

What is Tax Software?

Tax software is a computer program allowing you to prepare and file taxes electronically. It can also be used to estimate taxes, track deductions, and check for any possible tax credits. Tax software generally comes with additional features such as helpful tips on free tax filing practices, practical financial advice, and insight into the filing options. The free tax software lets you easily handle your taxes without paying a financial advisor or spending hours researching and collecting paperwork.

Let’s dive into the best free tax software of 2023:

Intuit TurboTax

Intuit TurboTax is my go-to free tax preparation software. It features an intuitive interface, step-by-step prompts to enter information accurately and quickly, helpful Guidance for deductions and exemptions, audits defense, and more. The part about Intuit TurboTax is that it caters to users of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Whether you’re filing on your own for the first time or a seasoned pro, Intuit TurboTax makes filing easy without much effort. It also has seamless integration with other popular accounting software such as QuickBooks and more, making it even easier to get your taxes done accurately.

Price

$0/month -$119/month.

Key Features

• Easy user interface: the software is designed with a simple and intuitive user interface to simplify tax filing for beginners.
• Step-by-step prompts: TurboTax offers step-by-step prompts so users can accurately enter information quickly.
• Guidance on deductions/exemptions: this free tax preparation software provides helpful Guidance for claiming deductions and exemptions.
• Audit Defense: TurboTax offers audit defense in case of errors or discrepancies in the Filing.

Liberty Tax

Liberty Tax is a free tax preparation software offering a user-friendly interface and unique features. Liberty Tax is worth a look if you’re looking for an affordable solution to file your taxes. With this software, you can easily prepare and e-file your taxes. Liberty Tax can be used on any device, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility issues.

With Liberty Tax, you can access various tax-related services and features. You can use the software to quickly file your federal and State income tax returns, calculate deductions, receive help from a qualified tax professional, and more.

Price

$34.95/mo-$89.95/mo

Key Features

• Assistance from a qualified tax professional: Get help with tax-related questions, from filing to deductions and credits.
• Automated calculations: Liberty Tax offers a computerized calculation system that helps you stay on top of your taxes and maximize your deductions.
• Tax deduction guidance: Liberty Tax can provide advice to help you determine the student loan interest deduction and credits available.
• State income tax return filing: Easily file your tax returns with Liberty Tax’s accurate and reliable filing software.
• Easy to use: Liberty Tax is designed with a user-friendly interface, so you can quickly understand and use the software.
• Accessible on any device: Liberty Tax is accessible on any device, making it easy to file your taxes wherever you are.

 Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt has a great feature of Tax Pro Go which provides the virtual filing experience with the help of an expert. It saves time and effort while also giving you access to advise. Jackson Hewitt is known for its extensive tools and resources to help you make financial decisions. It also allows you to complete your taxes in as few as 10 minutes. It also has a “Get My Tax Pro” feature that helps you find a tax professional.

Price

Quote Based

Key Features

• Tax Pro Go: Offers the virtual filing experience with the help of an expert.
• Extensive Tools and Resources: Jackson Hewitt provides the tools and resources to help you make financial decisions.
• Get My Tax Pro: Find the tax professional for your situation.
• Accessible on any device: Accessible on any device, making it easy to file your taxes wherever you are.

AvaTax

AvaTax is known for its automated system, simplifying the complicated tax filing process. It offers Guidance and helps you maximize your deductions. With AvaTax, you can file your taxes in as little as 10 minutes.

AvaTax is known for its automated system, simplifying the complicated tax filing process. It offers Guidance and helps you maximize your deductions. With AvaTax, you can file your taxes in as little as 10 minutes.AvaTax allows you to file accurately, quickly, and cost-effectively with a few clicks of a button.

Price

$19/mo-$83+/mo

Key Features

• Automated Tax Filing: AvaTax simplifies the complicated tax filing process with the -automated system.
• Fast Filing: File your taxes in as little as 10 minutes with the prompt filing feature of AvaTax.
• Deduction Guidance: Get advice to help reduce your tax deductions.

Drake Tax

Drake Tax offers a mobile app with checklist and detail fields to help you accurately prepare your taxes. It also provides Guidance to help you understand the deductions and credits available. Plus, Drake Tax is affordable and easy to use.

Price

$330/yr

Key Features

• Mobile App: Drake Tax offers a mobile app with checklist and detail fields to help you accurately prepare your taxes.
• Deduction Guidance: Get the Guidance to help you understand the deductions and credits available.
• Affordable and Easy-to-Use: Drake Tax is cheap and easy to use, making it for tax filers of all levels.

Thomson Reuters’ ONESOURCE

Thomson Reuters’ ONESOURCE is for advanced tax filers and provides the solutions to help you navigate the complexities of global taxes. It offers the Guidance and tools to help you make decisions while preparing your taxes. Plus, it has customer service to support it during tax filing season.

Price

$330 per year

Key Features

• Advanced Solutions: Thomson Reuters’ ONESOURCE is for advanced tax filers and provides the solutions to help you navigate the complexities of global taxes.
• Guidance and Tools: Get the Guidance and tools to help you make the decisions while preparing your taxes.
• Customer Service: customer service to provide support during tax filing season.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is for small business owners who want tax filing solutions. It offers features to help you make decisions while preparing your taxes. Plus, it is for filing taxes with accuracy and Ease. QuickBooks provides customer service to answer all your questions and assist during the whole process.

Price

• Self-employed: $5/month
• Simple Start: $7/month
• Essentials: $17/month
• Plus: $25/month

Key Features

• Tax Filing Solutions: QuickBooks is for small business owners who want tax filing solutions.
• Accuracy and Ease: for filing taxes with accuracy and Ease.
• Customer Service:  customer service answers all your questions and assists in the whole process.

Clarus R+D

Clarus R+D for freelancers, entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, and small businesses. It is tax filing software that offers deductions to help you reduce your tax burden. Plus, it is for user experience with interactive design. Clarus R+D also provides customer service to answer all your questions and assist throughout the process.

Price

It offers quote-based plans depending on the requirement of businesses.

Key Features

• Deductions: tax filing software that offers conclusions to help you reduce your tax burden.
• User Experience: user experience with interactive design.
• Customer Service: customer service answers all your questions and assists in the whole process.

OLT Online Taxes

OLT Online Taxes for online tax filing with accuracy and speed. It offers intuitive Navigation with customer service to ensure accuracy and Ease during the tax filing process. Plus, it allows users to file taxes easily with updated software and security measures.

Price

It comes with a free edition. The premium edition costs $15.90.

Key Features

• Online Tax Filing: for online tax filing with accuracy and speed.
• Intuitive Navigation:  intuitive Navigation with customer service to ensure accuracy and Ease during the tax filing process.
• Secure: security measures are in place to file taxes easily with updated software.

Credit Karma

Credit Karma for fast refunds and accurate tax filing. It offers audit protection with customer service support during tax filing season. Plus, it is for quick refunds with automatic data entry and tax calculation features. Credit Karma for user experience with interactive design and customer service to answer all your questions during tax filing season.

Price

It offers a free edition only.

Key Features

• Fast Refunds: fast refunds with automatic data entry and tax calculation features.
• Audit Protection: audit protection with customer service support during tax filing season.
• User Experience:  user experience.

H&R Block

H&R Block for tax preparation with accuracy and fast Filing. It offers paid packages to suit your budget and help you maximize your deductions. It provides peace of mind with audit protection and customer support during the federal income tax filing season. H&R Block for user experience with interactive design and customer service to answer all your questions during the filing process.

Price

• Basic: $29.95
• Deluxe: $54.95
• Premium: $74.95
• Self-Employed: $79.99
• Premium & Business: $89.95

Key Features

Accurate Filing: for tax preparation with accuracy and fast Filing.

Audit Protection: peace of mind with audit protection and customer support.

User Experience: user experience with interactive design and customer service.

TaxAct

TaxAct for a free version with no hidden cost. It offers multiple plans to suit your budget and help you maximize your deductions. It also provides all-inclusive features with audit protection and customer support during the filing season.

Price

• TaxAct Basic+ – Federal: $10 to $15, State: $19.95
• TaxAct Deluxe+ – Federal: $30 to $48, State: $39.95
• TaxAct Premier+ – Federal: $40 to $50, State: $39.95
• TaxAct Self Employed – Federal: $60 to $78, State: $39.95

Key Features

Free Version: a free version with no hidden cost.

Audit Protection: all-inclusive features with audit protection and customer support.

User Experience: user experience.

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA for tax filing from the comfort of home. It offers easy to use online platform with no hidden cost. Plus, it provides a user-friendly interface and unlimited customer support during tax filing season.

Price

Free Federal Edition – $0

Deluxe Edition – $6.99

State Edition – $12.95

Key Features

• Easy-to-Use Online Platform: for tax filing from the comfort of your home with an easy-to-use online platform.
• Unlimited Customer Support: user-friendly interface and customer support during tax filing season.

TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer for budget-friendly tax software. It offers immediate refunds with automatic data entry and tax calculation features. It also provides audit protection with customer service support during the filing season. TaxSlayer is user-friendly, with an interactive design and many helpful resources to help you maximize your deductions.

Price

• Classic: $17
• Premium: $37
• Self-Employed: $47

Key Features

• Fast Refund: budget-friendly tax software with prompt refunds with automatic data entry and tax calculation.
• Audit Protection:  audit protection with customer service support during the entire filing season with interactive design and many helpful resources to help you maximize your deductions.
• User-Friendly: interface with intuitive Navigation, self-help articles, and video tutorials to help you complete your taxes.

Free File

Free File is a collaborative effort between the IRS and 14 tax-preparation software companies. It offers free federal income tax preparation for eligible taxpayers (no state filing available). Plus, it provides easy-to-use forms with helpful Guidance, error checking, and audit protection to help you complete your tax filing.

Price

Free Federal Edition – $0

Key Features

Easy-to-Use Forms: Free File offers easy-to-use forms with helpful Guidance, error checking, and audit protection to help you complete your tax filing.

Audit Protection: provides audit protection so that if you are selected for audit, File will help you complete the audit process.

Helpful Guidance: provides practical Guidance and resources throughout the tax filing process to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion

Choosing the best tax software for your needs can be a daunting task. But with these 15 Free Tax Software options, you will find the one that fits your situation. Whether you need audit protection, easy-to-use forms, and Guidance, or help to file from the comfort of your home, free tax software is available to meet your needs. So make sure to find the Free Tax Software for you today!

FAQs

What is free tax preparation software?

The free tax preparation software depends on your individual needs, but some popular options include cash app taxes, online tax software, and tax software.

Can I file my taxes for free?

Yes! Many online tax software programs offer free filing options. Additionally, depending on your income level and tax situation, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or other applicable credits that lower the cost of filing your taxes.

What are some deductions I can take advantage of when filing my taxes?

Depending on your tax situation, you can claim deductions such as student loan interest, unemployment income, and the Federal Income Tax Credit. It’s to speak with a qualified tax specialist or use a reputable tax preparation software program to ensure you get the most out of student loan interest deductions.

What is the way for me to prepare my taxes?

It’s to speak with a qualified tax specialist or use a reputable tax preparation software program to ensure that you take full advantage of deductions and credits for which you may be eligible. Additionally, free filing options are available depending on your income level and tax situation.

What should I consider when choosing a tax preparation software program?

Consider the free tax software that fits your individual needs, such as one with user-friendly features and comprehensive coverage of deductions and credits for which you may be eligible.