Best Values in Tax Software
Kiplinger's Personal Finance|March 2021
We ranked the most popular tax-prep packages to help you find the ones that provide the best experience at the lowest cost.
ROCKY MENGLE, RIVAN STINSON and SANDRA BLOCK
Best Values in Tax Software

IF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC forced you to move or work remotely, file for unemployment benefits or pick up a side gig to earn extra income, filing your tax return could be more complicated than in the past. The economic stimulus checks sent to millions of taxpayers, which represented advance payments of a 2020 tax credit, also create the potential for confusion.

Preparing your own return instead of hiring a preparer could save you money, but tax software can get expensive in a hurry, even for taxpayers with fairly straightforward returns. And a program that shortchanges your refund—or gets you in trouble with the IRS—is no bargain.

To help you find the program that’s right for you, Kiplinger reviewed the online versions of the most popular programs and ranked them based on cost, ease of use, tax help and more. We used two fictional tax returns: one for a single taxpayer who had income reported on Form W-2 and some freelance income, and a second for a married couple with a young child and a mortgage who itemized deductions. (For more on our methodology, see the box on the facing page.) To account for some pandemic-related circumstances that could affect taxpayers, we looked at how the programs handled the economic stimulus payments millions of taxpayers received in 2020 and early 2021, which represented an advance payment of a tax credit on your 2020 tax return. In addition, we gave one of the spouses in our fictional couple unemployment benefits, and we had our single taxpayer move from Maryland to his parents’ home in Ohio to determine how the programs accounted for multiple state filings. (For more on your tax obligations if you moved last year, see “You Can Still Save Money on Your Taxes,” on page 36.)

Esta historia es de la edición March 2021 de Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2021 de Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCEVer todo
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS

He suffered grave injuries in the line of duty. Now he helps other veterans who have disabilities.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
DO YOU NEED UMBRELLA INSURANCE?
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

DO YOU NEED UMBRELLA INSURANCE?

A policy can protect you from financially devastating events.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
Navigating Finances as a Blended Family
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Navigating Finances as a Blended Family

Money matters can get complicated when two families unite. Planning is key.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
BREAKING UP WITH YOUR BROKER
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

BREAKING UP WITH YOUR BROKER

Be aware of these challenges when you move your money to a new home.

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2024
CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Consider your health care needs over the long term as you weigh costs and coverage.

time-read
9 minutos  |
November 2024
Keep Faith in These Stocks
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Keep Faith in These Stocks

IN 1997, I coined the phrase “faith-based investing.” It has nothing to do with religion or with picking stocks at random.

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2024
OUR ESG PICKS ARE THRIVING
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

OUR ESG PICKS ARE THRIVING

Despite an ongoing backlash, our favorite stocks and funds focused on environmental, social and corporate governance issues had a good year overall.

time-read
9 minutos  |
November 2024
MONEY MANNERS FOR THE MODERN AGE
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

MONEY MANNERS FOR THE MODERN AGE

The customs for splitting a restaurant check, purchasing a wedding gift, tipping and more have evolved. These guidelines can help.

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 2024
ELECTION 2024: POLITICS AND YOUR PORTFOLIO
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

ELECTION 2024: POLITICS AND YOUR PORTFOLIO

Who wins the White House matters—but only at the margins when it comes to your investments.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
YOUR GUIDE TO OPEN ENROLLMENT
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

YOUR GUIDE TO OPEN ENROLLMENT

With health care costs on the rise, it’s critical to select a plan that fits your needs at the right price.

time-read
7 minutos  |
November 2024