Direct File is gone for 2026.
The rankings you're about to read are wrong.
Of the seven highest-ranking "best tax software 2026" pages on Google, six lead with TurboTax. The commission TurboTax pays affiliates is $7–$25 per signup. FreeTaxUSA pays $2–$5. Cash App Taxes pays nothing. If you sort rankings by commission rather than by what does your return cheaper and better, you get exactly the page you're being shown everywhere else.
On this site, the order is reversed: cheapest competent option first. The commission we earn is shown next to every CTA. Typical first-year savings for a 1099 freelancer who switches from TurboTax Self-Employed ($188 all-in) to FreeTaxUSA ($14.99 all-in): $173. Identical refund.
All software, ranked by value
5 products reviewedFreeTaxUSA
8.5/10 $0 federal + $14.99 state = $14.99 all-inFreeTaxUSA supports Schedule C, D, and E at the free federal tier for $0 federal + $14.99 per state. The interface is dated but functional. We filed a real Schedule C return and matched TurboTax's refund to the dollar.
Best for: 1099 freelancers, Schedule C filers, landlords who want Schedule E without the upsell
Cash App Taxes
7.8/10 $0 federal + $0 state (one state limit)Cash App Taxes (owned by Block/Square) is the only genuinely free option — $0 federal and $0 state for a single state. Covers Schedule C, D, and most common forms. No affiliate program means no commission bias. One-state limit is the key restriction.
Best for: W-2 filers in a single state who want $0 total cost; Direct File refugees with simple returns
H&R Block
7.5/10 $35 federal + $37 state = $72 all-in for DeluxeH&R Block Online is the most credible TurboTax alternative. Priced $30-$50 below TurboTax at every tier, with a comparable wizard experience. Best for W-2 and moderately complex returns.
Best for: W-2 filers who want a guided experience cheaper than TurboTax; Self-Employed filers who want a middle ground
TurboTax
7/10 $0 federal (but only ~37% of filers qualify) — $69-$188 is the realistic floor for most peopleTurboTax is the market leader with the best UX and the highest prices. The Free Edition covers only ~37% of filers. Most people end up paying $128-$273. Genuinely best for multi-state, crypto, and high-complexity returns.
Best for: Multi-state filers, crypto traders with 300+ transactions, anyone who values polish over price
TaxAct
6.5/10 $29.99 federal + $39.99 state = $69.98 all-in for DeluxeTaxAct is a competent mid-tier option priced between FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax. TaxAct Business Online is the best Mac-compatible option for 1120-S filers — the gap TurboTax Business (Windows-only) creates.
Best for: Multi-state business filers; Mac users who need 1120-S (TaxAct Business Online)
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5 questions — income source, states, AGI, comfort level, price priority. Returns 3 ranked recommendations with disclosed commissions.
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Direct File Refugees
IRS Direct File is cancelled. Best free alternatives.
Freelancers
Schedule C for 1099 income. FreeTaxUSA at $14.99.
Landlords
Schedule E with depreciation. Skip TurboTax Premier.
Crypto Traders
Form 8949 + 1099-DA. When TurboTax earns its price.
Small Business
S-Corp, 1120-S, K-1s. Mac users read this.
Non-Residents & Expats
1040-NR filers. Sprintax is the answer, not TurboTax.