# Turbo tax online is more expensive **URL:** \ **Category:** Tax Strategies\ **Created:** [December 31, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735 "2025-12-31T16:58:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blacktreechaser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/blacktreechaser/32/3160_2.png) [@blacktreechaser](https://discussion.fool.com/u/blacktreechaser)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/1 "2025-12-31T16:58:35Z")
I googled the question if it was cheaper and got this: “ TurboTax Online is generally not cheaper than purchasing the downloadable software version, and in many cases, it is more expensive. The downloadable version, available through retailers like Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy, often offers significant discounts, especially early in the tax season.” Whether or not its true, I do not know. Happy New Year to all.. ---
**Author:** ![pauleckler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/pauleckler/32/2906_2.png) [@pauleckler](https://discussion.fool.com/u/pauleckler)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/2 "2025-12-31T17:37:49Z")
Traditionally the H&R Block basic tax program w e-file but w/o state filing is offered before Thanksgiving for abt $15. This year received offer mid December in the mail. List is $39.95. Direct offer is $35. Yes, prices seem to be up this year. But still reasonable compared to have it done for you. Basic version is full featured and so far handles all situation including downloading stock trades from your broker. ---
**Author:** ![Tamhas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/tamhas/32/4672_2.png) [@Tamhas](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Tamhas)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/3 "2025-12-31T19:09:42Z")
Note that the downloadable Intuit Versions appear to require Win 11 … hope I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![aj485](https://g.foolcdn.com/misc-assets/discourse-member-avatar_120px_bronze600.png) [@aj485](https://discussion.fool.com/u/aj485)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/4 "2025-12-31T22:31:09Z")
If you are concerned about the price, you should check out FreeTaxUSA [FreeTaxUSA® Pricing: Affordable Filing for All Situations](https://www.freetaxusa.com/pricing) Federal returns actually are free. State returns do cost $15.99 each, but I think that’s actually less than TurboTax costs for state returns. I have used FreeTaxUSA for several years now and it handles my somewhat complex (brokerage accounts, including taxable and IRA, rental houses, ACA tax credits and HSA distributions) return just fine. AJ ---
**Author:** ![JimA759s](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/jima759s/32/2844_2.png) [@JimA759s](https://discussion.fool.com/u/JimA759s)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/5 "2025-12-31T23:23:55Z")
I would also recommend FreeTaxUSA - I’ve been using it for a couple of years and it is ‘the bees knees’! Or should I be saying something like ‘6 - 7’? In fact I’ve already completed my Tax Return for this year; except for one interest payment to be received. They had the system ready to go a few weeks ago. JimA ---
**Author:** ![geocarw](https://g.foolcdn.com/misc-assets/discourse-member-avatar_120px_bronze600.png) [@geocarw](https://discussion.fool.com/u/geocarw)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/6 "2026-01-01T15:32:08Z")
> [@aj485](#): > > If you are concerned about the price, you should check out FreeTaxUSA [FreeTaxUSA® Pricing: Affordable Filing for All Situations](https://www.freetaxusa.com/pricing) > > Federal returns actually are free. State returns do cost $15.99 each, but I think that’s actually less than TurboTax costs for state returns. Do you have a knowledge of Cash App taxes? > **[Secure & Free Tax Filing Online | Cash App Taxes](https://cash.app/taxes)** > > File your federal and state taxes for free with Cash App Taxes. It's fast, easy, and secure. Maximize your refund with our easy-to-use online tax filing service. ---
**Author:** ![mschmit](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/mschmit/32/1404_2.png) [@mschmit](https://discussion.fool.com/u/mschmit)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/7 "2026-01-01T17:53:29Z")
> [@Tamhas](#): > > Note that the downloadable Intuit Versions appear to require Win 11 … hope I’m wrong. Intuit says that you must have Win 11 Mike ---
**Author:** ![1poorguy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/1poorguy/32/61990_2.png) [@1poorguy](https://discussion.fool.com/u/1poorguy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/8 "2026-01-01T19:09:18Z")
> [@geocarw](#): > > Do you have a knowledge of Cash App taxes? Our daughter put us onto CashApp a few years ago. Hadn’t heard of it before, and was skeptical. We’ve used it the past three years, and it seems to do fine. First year, I had T-Tax and compared, and it gave the same answer. Haven’t bought T-Tax since. ---
**Author:** ![CMFMints](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/cmfmints/32/3884_2.png) [@CMFMints](https://discussion.fool.com/u/CMFMints)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/9 "2026-01-02T13:27:57Z")
A post was split to a new topic: [For later deletion](https://discussion.fool.com/t/for-later-deletion/122756) ---
**Author:** ![blacktreechaser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/blacktreechaser/32/3160_2.png) [@blacktreechaser](https://discussion.fool.com/u/blacktreechaser)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 1:06am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/10 "2026-01-02T01:06:15Z")
> [@JimA759s](#): > > In fact I’ve already completed my Tax Return for this year; except for one interest payment to be received. > > Do you just plug in the numbers that you expect to show up on the various W-2s, 1099s, and other tax reporting forms? > > I don’t expect to see my 1099, W-2, or anything from my broker for at least a month. do you just compute the numbers that you expect to show up in your W-2s, 1099s and other forms? I don’t expect to see my 1099s, W-2s, or any brokerage forms for at least a month ---
**Author:** ![JimA759s](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/jima759s/32/2844_2.png) [@JimA759s](https://discussion.fool.com/u/JimA759s)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/11 "2026-01-02T04:36:05Z")
> [@blacktreechaser](#): > > do you just compute the numbers that you expect to show up in your W-2s, 1099s and other forms? I don’t expect to see my 1099s, W-2s, or any brokerage forms for at least a month Well, I’m retired so I don’t get a W-2. I know exactly how much I receive in SSA, Military Retirement, how much I’m taking out for my RMD and how much interest and qualifying dividends I get from my Vanguard Funds; so really there are no surprises. Even when I was working I had my taxes done. I got fouled up once when I got a bonus at work in Nov and I had not planned on that. At this point I know I’m expecting a $24 refund when I file my 2027 tax return! That’s with a 2% COLA at the end of this year! JimA ---
**Author:** ![Draggon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/draggon/32/3456_2.png) [@Draggon](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Draggon)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/12 "2026-01-03T16:25:31Z")
> [@mschmit](#): > > Intuit says that you must have Win 11 Can confirm. I tried to install the downloaded version on my Win 10 desktop PC, and it definitely would NOT install. I reverted to my backup plan and installed it on my Win 11 media server PC which I can remote into from my desktop and run from there. ---
**Author:** ![LakeEffect](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/lakeeffect/32/3374_2.png) [@LakeEffect](https://discussion.fool.com/u/LakeEffect)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/13 "2026-03-16T14:28:07Z")
> [@aj485](#): > > If you are concerned about the price, you should check out FreeTaxUSA [FreeTaxUSA® Pricing: Affordable Filing for All Situations](https://www.freetaxusa.com/pricing) > > Federal returns actually are free. State returns do cost $15.99 each, but I think that’s actually less than TurboTax costs for state returns. > > I have used FreeTaxUSA for several years now and it handles my somewhat complex (brokerage accounts, including taxable and IRA, rental houses, ACA tax credits and HSA distributions) return just fine. > > AJ I just finished filing my tax returns and wanted to thank you for the recommendation of FreeTaxUSA to the readers here. I previously used TurboTax and H&R Block but became disenchanted with their ever-increasing fees. FreeTaxUSA did everything I needed and was easy to use. ---
**Author:** ![tlucio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/tlucio/32/3705_2.png) [@tlucio](https://discussion.fool.com/u/tlucio)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/14 "2026-04-04T12:47:24Z")
Completed filing tax returns this past week and used FreeTaxUSA and must say; felt way easier than prior years’ use of H&R Block. Highly recommended to everyone that uses a paid on-line provider. Everything was free for federal (Sch B,C,D) and it even pulled capital gains losses from my 2024 tax return I uploaded that were carryovers from prior years. ---
**Author:** ![blacktreechaser](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/blacktreechaser/32/3160_2.png) [@blacktreechaser](https://discussion.fool.com/u/blacktreechaser)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/15 "2026-04-09T22:32:29Z")
Does it convert all the info in your fed return over to your state return ok? I’m assuming you filed a state return. ---
**Author:** ![tlucio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/tlucio/32/3705_2.png) [@tlucio](https://discussion.fool.com/u/tlucio)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 12:39pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/turbo-tax-online-is-more-expensive/122735/16 "2026-04-10T12:39:54Z")
Yes. In past years, I used H&R Block for federal and filed state return through the state for free. But out of convenience (and only 15.99), I just went ahead and filed state with freetaxusa.