If your 2025 AGI was $89,000 or less, start with IRS Free File, which is free through eight IRS partners. For paid software, TaxAct and E-file.com cost less than TurboTax for similar returns, FileTax.com charges one $89.95 price with state included, and TurboTax offers the widest range of expert help. Compare federal plus state cost, whether your forms are covered, and how much expert help you want.
This guide is for anyone filing a personal federal and state return, from simple W-2 filers to freelancers reporting business income on Schedule C. It also covers one business tool, Tax1099, for companies that send 1099 and W-2 forms to workers.
The biggest price differences usually come from the state return and from paid tiers required for itemized deductions, investments or self-employment income. Before you pay anything, check whether you qualify for a free option through the IRS or a company free tier.
Below, each service is compared on federal price, state price and free option, followed by the free filing routes, a price table for self-employed filers, tips for choosing and red flags to watch for with paid preparers.
Company reviews
Best for one flat price that includes your state return: FileTax.com
- Federal price
- $89.95
- State price
- Included in DIY plans
- Free option
- None listed
Why we picked it. FileTax.com charges one flat DIY price with state included for every tax situation, so self-employed filers and investors do not pay for tier upgrades. Its team also offers full done-for-you preparation.
More details, pros and cons
Expert help: Done-for-you preparation from $329.90 federal plus $49.99 state
Guarantee: 100% accuracy guarantee up to $10,000; maximum refund guarantee
Pros
- One price for every tax situation
- State return included
- Done-for-you preparation available
- IRS authorized e-file provider
Cons
- No free tier
- $89.95 is more than simple filers need to pay
- Membership is billed monthly
Skip it if: You have a simple W-2 return. You may qualify to file free through IRS Free File, TurboTax or TaxAct.
More about FileTax.com
FileTax.com is a legitimate, authorized IRS e-file provider offering a clean platform with robust document import, proactive deduction tools, and real-time refund tracking.
Best for low-cost paid tiers with cheap state filing: E-file.com
- Federal price
- Free
- State price
- $32.99
Free option: Free federal for single or joint filers with under $100,000 in wages and limited deductions
Why we picked it. E-file.com's paid tiers cost less than most big brands, and its $32.99 state fee is among the lowest we found. Premium Plus covers self-employment income for under $50.
More details, pros and cons
Expert help: Phone support on Deluxe and Premium; audit assistance on Premium
Pros
- Low prices on paid tiers
- Free federal filing for simple returns under $100,000 in wages
- Phone support on paid tiers
Cons
- Free tier still charges $32.99 for state
- Fewer import and AI tools than big brands
- Coupon-based pricing can change
Skip it if: You want live expert review of your return.
More about E-file.com
E-file.com is a highly affordable, straightforward tax preparation software ideal for users with simple to moderately complex tax situations, offering a generous free federal tier.
Best for businesses e-filing 1099 and W-2 forms (not personal returns): Tax1099
- Federal price
- From $0.72
- State price
- State filing supported in all 50 states
- Free option
- None listed
Why we picked it. Tax1099 is an IRS-authorized platform for businesses that need to send 1099s and W-2s to workers and file them with the IRS, SSA and states. It does not prepare personal Form 1040 returns.
More details, pros and cons
Pros
- Low per-form pricing
- TIN matching and W-9 collection
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Not for filing your personal income tax return
- Pricing varies by form and volume
- Overkill for one or two forms
Skip it if: You need to file your own Form 1040. Choose TaxAct, TurboTax or E-file.com instead.
More about Tax1099
Tax1099, a Zenwork platform, is an IRS-authorized service for e-filing 1099, W-2, and 30+ business information returns on a pay-per-form basis starting at $2.99. Best for small businesses and accountants.
How to file your taxes for free
- IRS Free File guided software: for taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less in 2025, through eight IRS partner companies. Each partner sets its own rules on age, income, state and military status, and some include a free state return.
- Free File Fillable Forms: electronic IRS forms for any income level, if you are comfortable doing the math yourself.
- VITA and TCE: free basic tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers for qualifying taxpayers.
- MilTax: free federal and up to three state returns for qualifying military members through the Department of Defense.
- Company free tiers: TurboTax Free Edition (about 37% of filers qualify, per TurboTax), TaxAct Free (about 40%, per TaxAct), E-file.com free federal for wages under $100,000, and TaxSlayer Simply Free.
Start at IRS.gov to see which free options you qualify for before you pay for software.
Best options for self-employed and gig workers
| Service |
Self-employed price (federal) |
State |
| E-file.com Premium Plus |
$49.99 |
$32.99 |
| TaxSlayer Self-Employed |
$74.99 |
$47.99 |
| FileYourTaxes.com |
$77 |
$53 |
| FileTax.com DIY |
$89.95 |
Included |
| TaxAct Self-Employed |
$109.99 |
Extra |
| TurboTax DIY (top tier) |
Up to $139 |
Not published on the page we checked |
Prices as listed October 2026 (TaxSlayer from its site as archived July 27, 2026). Self-employed filers report business income on Schedule C and usually owe self-employment tax. If you send 1099s to your own contractors, a business tool like Tax1099 handles those forms separately.
How to choose tax software
- Check free eligibility first. Simple W-2 returns often qualify for a free option.
- Price federal plus state. State fees range from included (FileTax.com) to $53 (FileYourTaxes.com).
- Make sure your forms are covered. Itemized deductions, investments, rental income and Schedule C often require a paid tier.
- Decide how much help you want. Options range from DIY to expert review (TurboTax Expert Assist, TaxAct Xpert Assist) to full preparation.
- Read the guarantee. TaxAct lists a $100,000 accuracy guarantee, and FileTax.com lists up to $10,000.
How costs vary by state and situation
Some states have no personal income tax on wages, so residents there may only need to file a federal return. In other states, the state return fee can be as much as the federal fee. Some IRS Free File partners include a free state return; others do not. If you moved or worked in more than one state, expect to file multiple state returns and pay for each.
Red flags when choosing a tax preparer or service
- Fees based on a percentage of your refund.
- A preparer who will not sign the return or provide a PTIN.
- Promises of a bigger refund than other services before the preparer has seen your documents.
- Requests to send your refund to the preparer’s account.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to check a preparer’s credentials and to review a return before signing it.
Terms to know
- AGI
- Adjusted gross income: your total income minus certain adjustments, used to set Free File eligibility.
- IRS Free File
- A partnership between the IRS and private companies offering free guided software to eligible taxpayers.
- Schedule C
- The form used to report profit or loss from a sole proprietorship or gig work.
- E-file
- Filing your return electronically with the IRS and states.
- Accuracy guarantee
- A promise to pay penalties and interest caused by the software's calculation error.
- Information return
- Forms such as 1099 and W-2 that businesses send to workers and the IRS.
- VITA
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, free IRS-sponsored tax help for qualifying taxpayers.
