Best Tax Software for Beginners
Step-by-step guidance for first-time filers. We've tested and ranked the top tax software based on real-world performance for beginners use cases.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
TurboTax is the best tax software for Beginners in 2026. It scored 9.4/10 in our testing. Most user-friendly interface. We tested 5 alternatives.
Top 5 Tax Software for Beginners
TurboTax
Editor's Choice#1 tax software with expert guidance included
Pros
- Most user-friendly interface
- Excellent step-by-step guidance
- TurboTax Live expert help available
- Maximum refund guarantee
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Features locked behind tiers
- Upsells can be aggressive
Free tier • Paid from
$69
- Better free tier than TurboTax
- In-person office option
- Competitive pricing
- Interface less polished than TurboTax
- Upsells during filing
- State returns cost extra
Free tier • Paid from
$55
- Free federal for ALL situations
- State returns only $14.99
- Covers complex returns
- Basic interface
- Less guidance than premium options
- Limited live support
Free tier • Paid from
$7.99
- Significantly cheaper than competitors
- Covers complex tax situations
- Xpert Assist help available
- Interface feels dated
- Slower than TurboTax
- Less hand-holding
Free tier • Paid from
$34.99
- Competitive pricing
- Fast filing process
- Good self-employment support
- Free tier very limited
- Interface could be better
- Less name recognition
Free tier • Paid from
$22.95
How We Ranked These Tax Software
Our rankings for beginners are based on hands-on testing and evaluation of key factors that matter most for this use case:
- Ease Of Use performance
- Live Expert Help performance
- Overall value for beginners users
- User experience and ease of use
Other Tax Software Guides
Best Tax Software for Simple Returns
Easy filing for W-2 employees with standard deductions
Best Tax Software for Self-Employed
Handle 1099 income, business expenses, and quarterly taxes
Best Tax Software for Investors
Stock sales, crypto, and capital gains reporting
Best Tax Software for Rental Income
Depreciation, expenses, and rental property reporting
Best Tax Software for Small Business
Business returns and Schedule C filing
Best Free Tax Software
File federal and state returns at no cost
Best Cheap Tax Software
Affordable filing under $50
Best Tax Software with Expert Help
Get help from real CPAs and tax professionals
Best Tax Software with Audit Protection
Peace of mind with audit defense included