The order of operations
- Match your help level. If you want to file yourself, we compare do-it-yourself plans. Choose “Show me everything” to include expert help and full-service plans.
- Check every form you need. Your answers become a list of required forms, like Schedule C or Form 8949. A plan that doesn't support one is set aside, with the reason.
- Separate what we can't confirm. If support for a form, or a price, hasn't been verified, the plan goes under “Couldn't confirm”. It is never treated as supported or free.
- Estimate the full cost. Federal fee, one fee per state return, any add-on your situation requires, minus verified promotions that are active today.
- Sort by total. Lowest estimated total first. Ties go to the plan with less paid help, then alphabetically.
Referral fees
Some providers may pay us when you sign up through our links. Each result says whether that applies. Referral fees are not an input to the ranking, and our automated tests check that changing them doesn’t change the order.
Keeping prices current
Every price is recorded from the provider’s own pricing pages with the date we checked it. During filing season we re-check prices at least weekly. A price older than that is marked as due for re-verification and can’t be our top pick.
Estimates, not quotes
We estimate costs from your answers. The provider sets your final price, which can change with forms or options you add while filing. Always confirm the price before you pay.
What we don’t do
We don’t calculate your taxes or refund, give tax advice, or file returns. If part of your situation is outside what we’ve verified, we tell you instead of recommending a plan that might not handle it.
Found something wrong?
Email corrections@taxamoney.com with the provider, plan and what you saw. We review every report.