If you're overwhelmed ... If you're easily overwhelmed by taxes, the best tax software is going to be one that does most of the work for you. H&R Block and TurboTax are wildly popular for this reason, but TaxAct and TaxSlayer get the job done for a lower price.  All you have to do is upload the relevant tax forms and answer a few questions along the way to account for deductions and credits. These tax preparers have multiple options for filers with any and every type of income, as well as individualized help from a tax expert (sometimes for an additional fee), if you need it. If saving money is the most important ... If your main objective is to save money, check out FreeTaxUSA, which offers free federal returns for every tax situation (state returns are $14.99), or H&R Block's free version, which supports more tax forms than competitors and offers an excellent user experience. If you don't qualify for a free version, consider Jackson Hewitt or 1040.com. These companies offer tax filing for a flat fee of $25. If you can afford to pay a bit more and think you may need expert help, TaxSlayer and TaxAct charge a fraction of the price of H&R Block and TurboTax and many still permit document uploads for easy data entry and provide plenty of guidance. If you care most about a big tax refund ... If getting a big tax refund is most important to you and you have time to spare, you may want to fill out a tax return with a few different online preparers. Each of the companies on our best tax software list allows you to begin a tax return for free and pay only when you're ready to submit the return (you will need to set up an account, though). Before payment is required, you should be able to see your tax refund amount and cancel any filing application that doesn't give you the biggest refund.