Free plans only

8 Best Free Free Tax Software of 2026

By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 9, 2026

8 of the 8 tools in our best free tax software ranking offer a permanent free plan. FreeTaxUSA scores highest among them at 9.0 out of 10.

01
FreeTaxUSA
Filers with investments, rental property or self-employment income who still want a free federal return.
Federal return free for all tax situations; state returns $15.99 each
Full entry, No. 1 overall
Paid from
$15.99
Score 9.0
02
Cash App Taxes
Cash App users who want both federal and state filed for $0, including 1099 and investment income.
Federal and state returns free for every user; no paid tiers
Full entry, No. 2 overall
Paid from
Free
Score 8.8
03
TaxHawk
Filers who want the FreeTaxUSA pricing model under a different brand and do not need Pro Support.
Federal return free for all tax situations; state returns $15.99 each
Full entry, No. 3 overall
Paid from
$15.99
Score 8.7
04
MilTax
Active-duty, Guard and reserve members, recent veterans and eligible family members.
Free federal return and up to five state returns for eligible military filers
Full entry, No. 4 overall
Paid from
Free
Score 7.9
05
TurboTax Free Edition
W-2 earners taking the standard deduction who want a free state return and a polished interface.
Free Edition $0 federal and state for simple Form 1040 returns; Deluxe $79 federal, state additional
Full entry, No. 5 overall
Paid from
$79
Score 7.8
06
IRS Free File
Filers with adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less, and confident filers at any income who can use fillable forms.
Free federal return through partner software for AGI of $95,000 or less; Fillable Forms free at any income
Full entry, No. 6 overall
Paid from
Free
Score 7.6
07
TaxSlayer Simply Free
Single or married filers under 65 with no dependents and wage or unemployment income up to $100,000.
Simply Free $0 for qualifying simple returns; Classic $19.99 federal for any situation, state additional
Full entry, No. 7 overall
Paid from
$19.99
Score 7.3
08
ezTaxReturn
Low-income single or joint filers without dependents whose income is under $16,000.
Free federal for qualifying simple returns; otherwise $44.99 federal and $45.99 state
Full entry, No. 8 overall
Paid from
$44.99
Score 6.6