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TurboTax
TurboTax is tax-filing software from TurboTax, founded in 1983 and based in Mountain View, California. A free option covers simple Form 1040 returns, while federal paid plans begin at $79. Several paid plans charge separately for state filing. The service runs on the web, mobile devices and…
Visit turbotax.intuit.com ↗ What it costs
- 7.6 No. 14on AI tax assistants
- Free plan · paid from $79price, as published
- Sep 27, 2026read on
What TurboTax costs
- Free Edition Free
- Do It Yourself Deluxe $79 / month
- Do It Yourself Premium $139 / month
- Expert Assist Premium $209 / month
- TurboTax Expert Full Service Not published Forms-based pricing varies by tax situation and forms used.
- TurboTax Mobile Free Offer Free Start in the TurboTax or Credit Karma mobile app by February 28, 2026; eligibility restrictions apply.
- TurboTax Free Edition Free Simple Form 1040 returns only; federal and state filing included.
- TurboTax Do It Yourself Deluxe $79 / once File by March 31 to save; pay only when you file.
Simple Form 1040 returns may qualify for free filing. Federal paid plans begin at $79, with state additional on several plans; billing may be monthly or one-time, and full-service pricing is on request.
As turbotax.intuit.com publishes them, read Sep 20, 2026. Fees, tax and exchange rates can differ when you pay; check the provider's own page first.
Its statement
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Not stated
- Runs on
- iPhone Android Web
- Facts on record
- 24
Strengths and limits
Strengths
- Eligible simple Form 1040 filers can submit federal and state returns at no charge
- Paid options cover self-employment, investment and rental income
- Documents can be imported from participating employers and financial institutions
- Customers can obtain expert advice or have an expert complete the return
Limits
- Itemized deductions, business income, stock sales and rentals are outside the free tier
- Several paid plans add a separate state-filing fee
- Plans use different monthly and one-time billing labels
- Using print or e-file generally gives up refund rights
What TurboTax does
TurboTax prepares and files federal and state tax returns. Simple Form 1040 returns can use the free tier; paid plans cover matters including self-employment, investment income and rental income.
Tax documents can be imported, uploaded or photographed. TurboTax says automatic imports are available from more than one million participating employers and financial institutions.
Fees and plans
The Free Edition carries no federal charge, no state charge and no filing fee, but only simple Form 1040 returns qualify. TurboTax says about 37% of taxpayers qualify. Federal and state filing for simple Form 1040 returns is included in this edition.
The federal price for Do It Yourself Deluxe is $79 a month, with state charged separately, and it lists more than 350 deductions and credits. Do It Yourself Premium costs $139 a month federally, with state additional, and lists more than 450 deductions and credits. Expert Assist Premium is $209 a month federally, with state additional, and likewise lists more than 450 deductions and credits.
TurboTax lists a Do It Yourself Deluxe option at $79 one-time, billed as $79 federal with state additional. It says to file by March 31 to save and pay only when filing. Expert Full Service has price on request; pricing varies by tax situation and forms used.
TurboTax also lists a free Mobile Free Offer for people who start in the TurboTax or Credit Karma mobile app by February 28, 2026, with eligibility restrictions. For most paid online and mobile products, payment can be made when filing, printing, mailing or purchasing add-ons.
Where it runs
The service can be used on the web, on mobile devices and through desktop software. An internet connection is required for mobile use, and downloading or using the app may incur standard data rates.
The facts do not specify separate phone-app filing limits beyond the free-tier rules and the Mobile Free Offer's eligibility conditions.
Protection, as TurboTax publishes it
TurboTax says security is built into everything it does. Under its accuracy guarantee, it says calculation errors that cause IRS or state penalties and interest are covered, subject to the guarantee's terms.
The published facts do not state a licence, regulator, deposit protection, two-factor sign-in or dispute process.
Strengths
The free tier can cover a simple Form 1040 return, including federal and state filing under the Free Edition.
Options for paid plans cover self-employment, investment income and rental income. Document import and optional expert help can reduce manual entry.
Catches
The free service does not cover itemized deductions, business income, stock sales, rental income or other schedules. Several paid plans add a separate state-filing charge.
Prices and billing labels differ by plan: some are listed monthly, while another Deluxe option is one-time. Expert Full Service pricing depends on the forms and tax situation.
Printing or electronically filing generally waives the right to a refund under TurboTax's refund policy. Mobile access requires internet and may incur standard data rates.
Who may want another option
People whose returns are not simple Form 1040 filings may not fit the free tier.
Readers looking for software outside TurboTax's web, mobile and desktop offering can also compare tax filing software.
Verdict
TurboTax is aimed at taxpayers seeking web, mobile or desktop filing, with a free route for simple Form 1040 returns and paid choices for self-employment, investments or rentals. Document imports, expert options and its stated calculation-error guarantee provide additional support beyond the free tier.
It is less suitable when a return needs excluded schedules at no charge, when state fees change the total, or when a buyer needs a clearly published single price. Plan labels, eligibility, payment timing and refund conditions should be read together before choosing an option.
Who it suits
Pick it if
- Simple Form 1040 filers who qualify for the free tier
- Taxpayers needing support for self-employment, investment or rental income
- Users who want optional expert help
Skip it if
- You need excluded schedules while staying on a free tier
- You want one clearly stated price including state filing
- You need published details on regulation or two-factor sign-in
Facts we read
- Accuracy guaranteeTurboTax pays IRS or state penalties and interest caused by a calculation error, subject to terms. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Audit supportEligible customers receive one-on-one question-and-answer support; representation costs extra. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Document importsUsers can import, upload, or photograph documents; imports can come from employers and financial institutions. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Expert assistanceCustomers can receive unlimited expert advice or have an expert file the return from start to finish. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Founded1983 · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 23, 2026
- Free tier limitsFree filing is for simple Form 1040 returns; about 37% of taxpayers qualify. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Free planYes · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 20, 2026
- HeadquartersMountain View, California, United States · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 23, 2026
- Integration sourcesInformation can be auto-imported from more than one million participating employers and financial institutions. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Investment incomeYes · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 20, 2026
- Mobile accessweb_and_mobile · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 20, 2026
- Mobile requirementsMobile use requires internet access, and standard data rates apply for downloading and using the app. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Notable featuresDeluxe searches more than 350 deductions and credits and includes AI-powered Intuit Assist. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
- Payment timingMost paid online and mobile products allow payment when filing, printing, mailing, or buying add-ons. · turbotax.intuit.com, Sep 27, 2026
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Questions
What does TurboTax cost?
TurboTax has no-cost options for eligible simple Form 1040 returns. Listed federal paid plans start at $79, with state additional on several plans. Expert Full Service is price on request.
What is included in TurboTax's free tier?
For eligible simple Form 1040 returns, the Free Edition charges $0 federally, $0 for state and $0 to file. TurboTax says about 37% of taxpayers qualify.
What does the free tier exclude?
Simple free returns do not include itemized deductions, business income, stock sales, rental income or other schedules.
Can TurboTax handle self-employment or rental income?
Paid options list support for self-employment, investment income and rental income.
Does TurboTax charge separately for state filing?
State filing is listed as additional on the Deluxe, Premium and Expert Assist Premium paid plans, and on the one-time Deluxe option.
Can I use TurboTax on a phone?
Yes. TurboTax offers mobile access. The app requires internet access, and downloading or using it may incur standard data rates.
Can I get a refund after filing?
TurboTax says printing or electronically filing constitutes satisfaction and generally removes the right to a refund.
What accuracy protection does TurboTax publish?
Its guarantee says TurboTax pays IRS or state penalties and interest resulting from a calculation error, subject to the guarantee's terms.
Is TurboTax yours?
Claim it for free to correct a fact, and see the places you can buy on The Finance Base.