US Tax Software Compared: TurboTax vs H&R Block vs FreeTaxUSA (2026)
Three names dominate American DIY tax filing: TurboTax, H&R Block, and FreeTaxUSA. For a simple W-2 return, all three can be free — but the moment you add investments, a side gig, or rental income, TurboTax and H&R Block move you into paid tiers while FreeTaxUSA keeps the federal return free. Here is what each one actually costs in 2026, and which fits your situation. All prices below are USD.
The three, head to head
| TurboTax | H&R Block | FreeTaxUSA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | $0 federal + $0 state, simple returns only | $0 federal + $0 state, simple returns only | $0 federal for every situation, self-employment included |
| Homeowner / itemizer tier | Deluxe ~$79 federal + state extra | Deluxe $65 + $49/state | — (no federal tiers) |
| Investor / landlord / self-employed tier | Premium ~$139 federal + state extra (old Premier + Self-Employed merged into one) | Premium $105 + $49/state; Self-Employed $130 + $49/state | — (still $0 federal) |
| State filing | ~$39–$64 per state | $49 per state | $15.99 per state (2026 season) |
| Optional extras | Expert-help and full-service prep add-ons | In-person offices as a fallback | Deluxe add-on ~$7.99; Pro Support $44.99 |
Two pricing realities: prices rise through the season — filing in January or February is usually cheaper than filing in April — and state fees are charged on top of almost every paid tier, so a one-state freelancer on TurboTax Premium lands well over $200 all-in. Always confirm the current price on the provider's own site before you pay.
Which one fits your situation
Simple W-2, standard deduction: Any of the three, all free. Pick by interface preference — this is the one case where price is not a differentiator.
International students (nonresidents): None of the three. If you are a nonresident alien, you file Form 1040-NR plus Form 8843, and these products prepare resident returns (Form 1040). See the next section — this is the most expensive mistake in this guide.
Self-employed / freelancers (Schedule C): TurboTax puts you in Premium, H&R Block in Self-Employed ($130 federal + $49/state), FreeTaxUSA files the identical federal Schedule C for $0. For a one-state freelancer the all-in totals are roughly $200+, ~$179, and $15.99.
Landlords (Schedule E) / investors (Schedule D): TurboTax Premium or H&R Block Premium — or FreeTaxUSA's free federal return. Same pattern as above: you pay for the federal tier on the first two, nothing on the third.
Crypto: Covered in the investor tiers of TurboTax and H&R Block; included in FreeTaxUSA's free federal return.
International students and newcomers: do not use TurboTax
F-1 and J-1 students are usually nonresident aliens for tax purposes for their first five calendar years in the US (two years for J-1 scholars) — even if physically present for more than 183 days. Nonresidents file Form 1040-NR, not Form 1040, and must also file Form 8843 every year they are present, even with zero income. TurboTax, H&R Block, and FreeTaxUSA all prepare resident returns; filing a Form 1040 as a nonresident claims deductions and positions you are not entitled to. It is the wrong return, not just a suboptimal one.
Use Sprintax instead — software built specifically for nonresidents: federal preparation from $54.95, state from $49.95, Form 8843 for $19.95. Many universities give students free Sprintax access codes, so check with your school's international office before paying anything. Once you become a resident alien (green card, or enough years to pass the substantial presence test), you switch to the normal products above.
DIY or hire a CPA?
DIY software handles most returns well. Pay a CPA or Enrolled Agent when the complexity exceeds what a questionnaire can cover:
- Self-employment with real complexity — inventory, employees, vehicle + home office + depreciation combined
- Rental properties — especially multiple units or a sale
- Equity compensation — RSUs, ISOs, ESPP; cost-basis math is where DIY returns most often go wrong
- K-1 income from partnerships or S-corps
- Multi-state situations — moved mid-year, or live in one state and work in another
- An IRS letter or audit — never answer one with software alone
- A business-entity decision — LLC vs S-corp election is a planning question, not a filing question
For a W-2 plus a brokerage account, software is fine. Expect a CPA to cost several hundred dollars and up — worth it when a single missed election costs more.
2026 deadlines
- April 15, 2026 — deadline to file your 2025 federal return and pay any tax owed. April 15, 2026 is a Wednesday, so there is no weekend shift.
- October 15, 2026 — extended filing deadline if you file Form 4868 by April 15. The extension covers filing, not payment: tax you owe is still due April 15.
- State deadlines usually mirror the federal date, but a few states differ — check yours.
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeTaxUSA really free?
Federal filing is $0 for every situation — W-2, self-employment, investments, rental income, crypto, all of it. The company charges $15.99 per state return for the 2026 season and sells optional upgrades (Deluxe add-on ~$7.99, Pro Support $44.99). If your state has no income tax, you may pay nothing at all.
Why can't international students use TurboTax?
TurboTax prepares Form 1040, the resident return. Nonresident aliens must file Form 1040-NR. A 1040 filed by a nonresident is simply the wrong tax return. Sprintax exists for exactly this case — and many schools provide it free.
I have a W-2 and a small side gig. Which tier do I need?
On TurboTax, Premium; on H&R Block, Self-Employed; on FreeTaxUSA, the free federal return. The side gig (Schedule C) is what triggers the paid tier on the first two — FreeTaxUSA has no such trigger.
Does filing an extension give me more time to pay?
No. Form 4868 moves the filing deadline to October 15, but any tax owed is still due April 15. Pay your best estimate by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
What is the difference between TurboTax Deluxe and Premium?
Deluxe covers itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable giving, HSA). Premium adds investments (Schedule D), rental property (Schedule E), and self-employment (Schedule C) — Intuit merged the old Premier and Self-Employed tiers into this one.
Can I switch software halfway through?
Yes — until you actually file, nothing is final. Starting in one product, hitting a paywall, and redoing the return in another is common. Just do not file twice.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, Individual tax filing (deadlines and extensions): https://www.irs.gov/individual-tax-filing
- H&R Block, File your taxes online (official pricing): https://www.hrblock.com/online-tax-filing/
- FreeTaxUSA, Pricing: https://www.freetaxusa.com/pricing
- FreeTaxUSA, What's new with FreeTaxUSA in 2026: https://community.freetaxusa.com/kb/articles/343-what-s-new-with-freetaxusa-in-2026
- Sprintax, File your U.S. nonresident tax return: https://www.sprintax.com/returns/
- TurboTax, Pricing (Intuit): https://turbotax.intuit.com/desktop-pricing/