Overview

TurboTax uses a freemium model and supports web, mobile, and desktop software. The free offering is restricted to simple Form 1040 returns, while more involved income and deductions require a paid product. That gives a broad path within one brand, but not a broad free service: about 37% of taxpayers qualify for free filing.

Key features

Self-employment, investment, and rental income are supported, making TurboTax relevant to taxpayers whose finances go beyond wages. Those same categories are excluded from the free simple-return tier, so users with them should budget for a paid plan. Deluxe searches more than 350 deductions and credits and includes AI-powered Intuit Assist. Premium and Expert Assist Premium raise that coverage to more than 450 deductions and credits, which is more appropriate when a return has numerous possible claims.

Document handling is flexible: users can import, upload, or photograph documents. Automatic imports draw information from more than one million participating employers and financial institutions, potentially reducing typing when a filer’s providers participate. Customers can receive unlimited expert advice or have an expert complete the return from start to finish, giving less confident filers a way to add human help rather than manage every form alone.

TurboTax states that security is built into its products. Its accuracy guarantee covers IRS or state penalties and interest caused by a calculation error, subject to the guarantee’s terms. Most paid online and mobile products allow payment when filing, printing, mailing, or purchasing add-ons. Printing or electronically filing generally waives the right to a refund, so the refund policy matters before submission.

Pricing

Free Edition is free, with $0 federal, $0 state, and $0 to file, but only for simple Form 1040 returns. The separate TurboTax Free Edition also lists free with federal and state filing included, subject to the same simple-return restriction. Itemized deductions, business income, stock sales, rental income, and other schedules are outside this free scope.

Do It Yourself Deluxe is 79.00 USD per once in one listing, billed at $79 federal with state additional in another; it searches more than 350 deductions and credits and is aimed at filers whose return needs deductions beyond the free tier. Do It Yourself Premium is 139.00 USD per once, billed federal with state additional, and covers more than 450 deductions and credits. Expert Assist Premium is 209.00 USD per once, also billed federal with state additional, combining that broader coverage with expert assistance. The Expert Full Service plan uses forms-based pricing that varies by tax situation and forms used, so it is suited to people who want an expert to prepare the return rather than choose a fixed price in advance.

A TurboTax Mobile Free Offer is free when starting in the TurboTax or Credit Karma mobile app by February 28, 2026; eligibility restrictions apply. Deluxe also lists a 79.00 USD per once offer billed $79 federal, state additional, with payment only when filing and a March 31 deadline to save. State filing charges therefore need checking before selecting a paid plan.

Platforms

TurboTax is available online, on mobile, and as desktop software. Mobile use requires internet access, and standard data rates apply when downloading or using the app. Web access is useful for filers who move between devices, while desktop software provides a separate installed option.

Who it's for

Choose TurboTax if you want one service that handles simple returns and supports self-employment, investments, or rentals as your needs grow. It is particularly suitable for people who value document import, deduction searching, or unlimited expert advice. It is less suitable when your return is simple but you expect free filing despite deductions, business income, stock sales, or rental income, or when additional state charges make the paid total unattractive.

Pros and cons

Pros

Broad income support: self-employment, investment, and rental income are covered in paid tiers.
Multiple help levels: unlimited expert advice and full-service preparation support filers who do not want to work alone.
Less manual entry: document photos, uploads, and imports from participating employers and financial institutions can speed preparation.
Calculation protection: the accuracy guarantee addresses penalties and interest caused by calculation errors, subject to terms.

Cons

Narrow free eligibility: only simple Form 1040 returns qualify, covering about 37% of taxpayers.
State costs: state filing is an additional charge on several paid plans.
Refund limitations: printing or e-filing generally waives the right to a refund.
Mobile dependence: mobile use requires internet access and may incur standard data rates.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison of providers for a company return, see Small Business Tax Software; for individual filers, compare Personal Tax Software. Readers specifically seeking automated assistance can review AI Tax Software, while a broader market view is in Tax Preparation Software.

Pick Instead when unlimited users, entities, collaborators, and e-file or print files are more important than TurboTax’s consumer-focused filing tiers. Choose TaxAct if eligible standard returns and a 59.99 USD Deluxe plan better fit your budget. H&R Block Online is an alternative with web, iOS, and Android access and a free simple Form 1040 option billed per state filed.

MyTAXPrepOffice suits professional preparers seeking a paid annual license with unlimited 1040 returns. OLTPro is aimed at paid users who prefer a 25-return one-time plan or an unlimited web option. Tax Series uses scope-based licensing established during a proof of concept. UltimateTax is a paid desktop and web alternative with an annual 1040 plan. UpTax is another paid platform with a free trial.

Verdict

TurboTax is a strong choice for taxpayers who want guided filing, support for complex income, and the option to involve an expert. Its main reason to look elsewhere is cost: free eligibility is limited, state fees can add to paid plans, and filing usually removes refund rights.

	Revenue myAccount	TurboTax
Free plan		Yes
Paid from		$79/mo
Platforms	Web	Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Self-employment support	Yes	Yes
Investment income	Yes	Yes
Rental income	Yes	Yes
Paid from		$79one-time
State filing		paid_add_on
Mobile access		web_and_mobile
Audit support		Yes

Revenue myAccount vs TurboTax

Revenue myAccount

TurboTax