Sorted by starting price

5 Cheapest Free Tax Software of 2026

By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 9, 2026

Among the 8 tools in our best free tax software ranking, FreeTaxUSA has the lowest verified paid starting price at $15.99 per state return, federal free. Prices below are quoted from each vendor's US pricing page.

1. 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

   Starts at

   $15.99

   Score 9.0

2. 02

   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

   Starts at

   $15.99

   Score 8.7

3. 03

   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

   Starts at

   $19.99

   Score 7.3

4. 04

   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

   Starts at

   $44.99

   Score 6.6

5. 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

   Starts at

   $79

   Score 7.8

Scores and prices come from our Best Free Tax Software ranking, which uses one method for every tool. Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.com