As of October 2026, TurboTax costs $0 to $139 for Do It Yourself, $59 to $209 for Expert Assist, and from $129 for Expert Full Service, where a tax expert files for you. State returns cost extra on paid products, and you pay only when you file.
Those ranges are wide because TurboTax prices by tax situation, not by a single plan. A simple W-2 return can be free, while the same software with freelance income, investments or rental property moves you up the range. Here's what each option costs and what pushes the price up.
TurboTax prices at a glance
| Option | Federal price | Who does the work |
|---|---|---|
| Do It Yourself | $0 to $139 | You, with guided software |
| Expert Assist | $59 to $209 | You, with on demand expert help and a final expert review |
| Expert Full Service | Starting at $129 | A dedicated tax expert files for you, from start to finish |
| State return | Additional | Added on top for paid products |
TurboTax says its Full Service starting price includes a W-2 and Form 1040, and your final price depends on your tax situation and the forms you use. You'll see a personalised estimate before your expert starts.
Who qualifies for TurboTax Free Edition
TurboTax Free Edition is $0 federal, $0 state and $0 to file, but it's only for simple Form 1040 returns with no forms or schedules except as needed for a limited set of credits. If you're self employed, have rental income or sold stock or crypto, you won't fit Free Edition, and TurboTax will move you to a paid product. If one of those comes up partway through your return, that's when the price changes.
What pushes your TurboTax price up
- Self employment or freelance and gig work income
- Selling stock or crypto
- Owning rental property
- Wanting an expert to review your return before you file
- Handing the whole return to an expert
- Filing a state return on a paid product
TurboTax's own price finder asks about most of these before showing a price, which is the quickest way to avoid a surprise. Answer it honestly at the start rather than discovering your price tier after you've entered everything.
Expert Assist vs Full Service
Expert Assist keeps you in charge: you file yourself, but you get unlimited, on demand advice from Intuit tax experts, and an expert performs a final review of your whole return before you file. Expert Full Service hands it over completely: an expert matched to your situation prepares, signs and files your return, online or in person.
If you're confident with the forms but want a safety net, Expert Assist is the middle ground. If you'd rather not touch your taxes at all, Full Service starts at $129, but your final price depends on how complicated your return is.
What every TurboTax product includes
- An accuracy guarantee: TurboTax says that if its calculations are wrong, it'll pay any IRS penalties plus interest
- A maximum refund guarantee
- CompleteCheck, which scans your return for errors before you file
- Import, upload or snap a photo of your documents to fill in your details
- AI powered answers from Intuit Assist as you go
- Federal e-file at no extra charge
TurboTax also sells products for prior year returns and for business taxes, and there's an offer with Expert Assist for people who didn't file their 2024 taxes with TurboTax: an expert can check that 2024 return for missed tax breaks at no extra cost.
Fees people forget
TurboTax accepts all major credit and debit cards, and you can also pay your TurboTax fees out of your federal refund, but there's an additional fee for that service. Paying by card avoids it. TurboTax also offers federal refunds up to 5 days early for a fee, or at no extra cost if you deposit into an account with Intuit's Credit Karma.
There's a Refund Advance loan too, of up to $4,000, with $0 loan fees, if you expect a federal refund of $500 or more and meet the eligibility rules. It's a loan against your refund, not extra income, so treat it that way.
Is TurboTax worth it for the self employed?
If you're freelancing, TurboTax's guidance for independent contractors and industry specific deductions is the main reason to pay. Still, compare it with other options first; my guide to tax software for the self employed sets out the alternatives. If you've got side income from apps, read whether you pay taxes on Venmo payments before you start, so you know which forms to expect.
The verdict
TurboTax costs nothing for a simple return and up to $139 for Do It Yourself, with expert help from $59 and full service from $129, plus state fees on paid products. It's easy to use, but it isn't cheap once your return gets complicated. My advice: before you enter anything, answer TurboTax's price finder questions, pay the fee by card rather than from your refund, and only add expert help if you'd otherwise pay an accountant.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does TurboTax cost?
As of October 2026, TurboTax Do It Yourself costs $0 to $139, Expert Assist $59 to $209, and Expert Full Service starts at $129. State returns are additional on paid products.
Is TurboTax really free?
TurboTax Free Edition is $0 federal, $0 state and $0 to file, but only for simple Form 1040 returns with no forms or schedules except as needed for limited credits.
Does TurboTax charge for state returns?
Yes, state returns are an additional charge on paid TurboTax products.
When do you pay for TurboTax?
TurboTax says you start for free and pay only when you file.
Can I pay for TurboTax from my refund?
Yes, but TurboTax charges an additional fee for paying your fees out of your federal refund. Paying by card avoids it.
How much is TurboTax Full Service?
TurboTax Expert Full Service starts at $129, including a W-2 and Form 1040. State is additional and the final price depends on your tax situation.
Can TurboTax do business taxes?
Yes. TurboTax offers business tax filing where you match with a small business tax expert who can give unlimited help with a final review, or file your taxes for you.
Does TurboTax charge for e-filing?
No. TurboTax says federal e-file is included at no extra charge.
What is TurboTax Expert Assist?
You file yourself with unlimited, on demand advice from Intuit tax experts, and an expert reviews your whole return before you file. It costs $59 to $209.
