TurboTax Deluxe Desktop Edition 2025

Is TurboTax worth paying for?

TurboTax is worth it for people with complex returns — self-employment income, investments, rental properties, or life changes — who value step-by-step guidance and audit support. For simple W-2 returns with standard deductions, TurboTax Free Edition or a competitor's free tier handles the job without cost. The main downsides are aggressive upselling and higher pricing compared to alternatives like H&R Block or FreeTaxUSA.

How does H&R Block compare to TurboTax?

H&R Block and TurboTax are very comparable in accuracy and ease of use for most filers. H&R Block is generally $10-$30 cheaper at equivalent tiers and offers in-person office support if you want a human to review your return. TurboTax has a slight edge in interface polish and self-employed guidance. Both offer free federal filing for simple returns. Price-shopping between the two (and FreeTaxUSA) before you start is worth five minutes.