You're sitting there with a pile of 1099s and a half-empty cup of coffee, wondering if you're about to get fleeced. It happens every year. You see the "Free Edition" ad, but deep down, you know your taxes probably aren't "simple" enough for the corporate definition of free.
Honestly, the answer to turbotax how much does it cost is a moving target. It depends on whether you have a side hustle, how many stocks you sold, and—this is the annoying part—exactly when you decide to click "file."
Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, loves a good "limited time offer." If you're looking at the 2026 tax season (covering your 2025 income), you’ve got to navigate a maze of DIY tiers, expert-assisted options, and the "Full Service" route where you just hand everything over.
The DIY Breakdown: What You’ll Actually Pay
Most people go for the "Do It Yourself" online route. It’s the classic experience. You answer a million questions, the software does the math, and you hope the "Refund O-Meter" keeps climbing.
TurboTax Free Edition
Price: $0 Federal / $0 State.
Don't get too excited. Only about 37% of filers qualify for this. It’s strictly for "simple" returns. If you have a W-2, claim the standard deduction, and maybe have some student loan interest, you’re likely good.
But here’s the kicker: if you have unemployment income (1099-G) or want to itemize deductions, the Free Edition will unceremoniously kick you into a paid tier.
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TurboTax Deluxe
Price: Roughly $39 – $59 Federal (plus state fees).
This is the most popular version. It’s designed for homeowners and people who want to maximize deductions beyond the standard amount. If you’re donating to charity or have significant medical expenses, this is usually where you land.
Keep in mind that state returns almost always cost extra. Usually, you’re looking at another $39 to $49 per state.
TurboTax Premium
Price: Roughly $99 – $159 Federal (plus state fees).
Welcome to the "I have a life" tier. If you sold crypto, own a rental property, or have a freelance side gig, you need Premium. It handles Schedule C and Schedule E. It’s expensive, but it’s the only way to import 1099-B data from your brokerage without losing your mind.
The "Expert" Upgrade: Assist vs. Full Service
In 2025 and 2026, TurboTax rebranded its live help. They now call it Expert Assist and Expert Full Service.
Expert Assist (formerly Live Assisted) is for the DIYer who wants a safety net. You do the work, but you can jump on a one-way video call with a CPA or Enrolled Agent. They can look at your screen and tell you why that one deduction isn't working.
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- Cost: Usually starts around $79 for basic returns and can climb to $209+ for complex business situations.
Expert Full Service is a different beast. You don’t do the taxes; they do. You upload your docs, talk to a pro on a welcome call, and they take it from there.
- Cost: There’s often a "new customer" promo—sometimes around $150 for federal and state—but regular prices typically start at $89 and scale way up based on complexity. If you own a multi-state corporation, expect to pay significantly more.
Desktop vs. Online: The Hidden Math
People forget the desktop software (the stuff you download or get on a CD). For power users, this is actually the better deal.
- TurboTax Deluxe Desktop: Around $70 – $80.
- TurboTax Premier Desktop: Around $105 – $115.
- TurboTax Business Desktop: Around $180.
Why is it better? Because one purchase usually includes five federal e-files. If you’re doing taxes for your parents, your kids, and yourself, the desktop version is a steal compared to paying per-person online. You still have to pay for state e-filing (usually around $20-$25), but the base software covers the "preparation" for one state.
Watch Out for the "Early Bird" Trap
If you wait until April, you're going to pay the "procrastinator tax." TurboTax uses surge pricing.
The prices you see in January are almost always lower than the prices in April. I’ve seen the Deluxe tier jump by $20 or $30 overnight just because the calendar flipped to March. Honestly, if you know you’re going to use it, pay for it early to lock in the rate, even if you don't finish the return until later.
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Avoid the "Refund Processing Service" Fee
This is the sneakiness that catches everyone. When you go to pay, TurboTax will offer to "deduct the cost of the software from your refund."
Sounds convenient, right? It’s a trap.
They usually charge a fee—often around $40—just for the "convenience" of that transaction. It’s basically a high-interest loan on your own refund. Pay with a credit card upfront and save that money for a nice dinner instead.
Does the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Change the Cost?
With the 2026 tax season, everyone is talking about the legislative changes from the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA). While the bill changed deductions—like the SALT cap moving to $40,000 and new deductions for car loan interest—it didn't necessarily lower TurboTax’s prices.
In fact, because the tax code got a little weirder with "Schedule 1-A" (the new form for tip and overtime deductions), more people might find themselves needing the "Deluxe" or "Premium" versions to handle these new fields correctly.
Practical Steps to Save Money
If you're staring at a $200 bill and feeling the sting, here is how you handle it.
- Check your bank or brokerage: Companies like Fidelity, Vanguard, or even some credit unions often give their customers a 20% or 30% discount link for TurboTax.
- Use the Mobile App: Sometimes Intuit runs "app-only" promos where you can file federal and state for free if you’re a new customer and use the phone app instead of a browser.
- Look at FreeTaxUSA or Cash App Taxes: If you realize TurboTax is too expensive, these are the real competitors. They handle complex forms (like K-1s or crypto) for way less—sometimes even $0.
- Skip the Add-ons: You don’t usually need "Audit Defense" or "Max Defend and Restore" unless your tax situation is incredibly shady or you're terrified of the IRS. Most people can safely decline these $40-$60 upsells.
To get the most out of your money, log in now and see which tier your documents trigger. If it's asking for $150 and you only have one W-2, something is wrong—check if you accidentally opted into a "Live" version or an "Audit Defense" package. If you have multiple returns to file for your family, ditch the online version entirely and buy the Home & Business desktop download to save on the per-return filing fees.