I use TurboTax to file my taxes for many years. This is the most popular DIY tax serviceand also usually the cheapest and arguably the most straightforward. TurboTax has the filer in mind by using an easy-to-use interface, which offers available expert help, with various options for automatic document upload; helpful tips and information about tax requirements; and transparent, affordable options for every type of filer.

The service makes it easy for users to return by storing information from previous years, allowing for quick auto uploads, and remembering options and previously used forms from previous years. Doing my taxes as a returning TurboTax user takes a fraction of the time of others tax service I tried. (Need a jumping off point? I have a guide how to file your tax online for more help.)

Yes, You Can Actually File for Free

If you’ve never tried TurboTax, now is the best time to see if it’s right for you (and you can file for free). You can file state and federal taxes for $0 now. There are only a few requirements for this amazing free filing deal. You must have never filed with TurboTax before (and are switching from another provider), and you must file at TurboTax mobile app on February 28. You must start and file within the mobile app; it only applies to DIY (self-guided) tax services and excludes expert assistance products. This means that it applies to Simple Form 1040 returns only (meaning no schedules, other than EITC, CTC, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A forms are eligible).

One of the downfalls of TurboTax is that while it is (in my opinion) the easiest to use interface with seamless auto-upload features, it can be more expensive than similar competitors. I used FreeTaxUSA in the past, when my income was lower and my taxes were simpler. The service is very similar in design to TurboTax, and while it’s still a cheap option, it’s not completely 100 percent free, as it charges $16 for filing a state return. Additionally, when I tested the service last year, FreeTaxUSA gave me the highest amount of taxes owed from all the services I tested.

TurboTax filed more than twice as many free returns as FreeTaxUSA last year (based on the total number of federal and state returns filed in Tax Year 2024). And this tax season, more than 100 million people in the US are eligible for free filing with TurboTax. If you file your own federal and state returns using DIY TurboTax products, filing is free when you use the mobile app through February 28.

Filing Your Hands

Filing taxes can be confusing and can be expensive. While I encourage anyone who has not yet filed with TurboTax to take advantage of the free federal and state filing agreement through mobile appthere are several options if you have filed with the service in the past or have a more complex return that may require additional assistance.

There are three options for filers: DIYwhere you file yourself with the following instructions (the aforementioned service is eligible for the free filing deal); Expert Helpwhere you can get help from tax experts throughout the process and have it reviewed by an expert before submission; or you can also get your taxes done completely by a local tax expert who has Expert Full Service. Prices vary based on the tier chosen and when you file (the earlier, the cheaper, especially if you can file before March).

The filing process begins with a helpful question to let the program know which sections apply to you, such as dependents, assets, and education, so you’re not slogging through irrelevant stuff. At the beginning, TurboTax also estimates the time it will take to complete and asks how I filed last year—no other service I’ve tried before can help estimate how long the process will take.