Description
TurboTax is Intuit’s market-leading tax filing platform, processing over 50 million returns a year through a guided, interview-style walkthrough of a user’s income and deductions. It spans three broad paths: Do It Yourself for people comfortable filing on their own with step-by-step guidance, Expert Assist for live help from a tax pro by phone, chat, or screen-share, and Expert Full Service where a matched expert prepares and files the return start to finish. Roughly 37% of filers qualify for the free Do It Yourself tier, which covers simple Form 1040 returns.
Key Features
- Guided interview filing: Walks a user through questions about income and deductions in plain language.
- Live Expert Assist: Phone, chat, or screen-share access to a vetted tax pro, plus a final review before filing.
- Expert Full Service: A matched expert prepares and files the entire return start to finish.
- TurboTax Verified Pro: In 35 states and D.C., get matched with an independent local tax professional for online or in-person help.
- Import from financial institutions: Pulls in W-2 and other tax data directly rather than manual entry.
- Accuracy and Maximum Refund guarantees: Reimburses IRS penalties from TurboTax calculation errors, and refunds the purchase price if another method finds a bigger refund.
How It Works
A user starts with a guided interview that asks plain-language questions about income, deductions, and life events, importing W-2 and other data directly from connected financial institutions where possible. TurboTax uses those answers to determine which forms and credits apply, and the price tier adjusts automatically as more complex situations, like self-employment income or itemized deductions, come into play. For anyone wanting more than a DIY walkthrough, Expert Assist adds phone, chat, or screen-share access to a vetted tax pro and a final review before filing, while Expert Full Service hands the return to a matched expert entirely, with the return prepared and filed on the customer’s behalf. Every return carries TurboTax’s accuracy and maximum refund guarantees regardless of which path is chosen.
Technical Architecture & Overview
- Core Engine: A guided-interview tax logic engine that selects applicable forms and credits based on a user’s answers, backed by Intuit’s decades of tax-code data.
- Deployment: Web-based online filing, plus a downloadable desktop version for advanced or offline use.
- API Surface: No public developer API; TurboTax is a consumer and small-business filing product, not a platform for third-party integration.
- Known Limits: Free Edition only covers simple Form 1040 returns; itemizing deductions or reporting self-employment, stock sales, or rental income requires a paid tier. State filing costs extra on nearly every plan.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free filing genuinely covers simple returns for about 37% of filers, including the Child Tax Credit and EITC. | State filing adds $39 or more on nearly every paid tier, on top of the federal price. |
| Accuracy and Maximum Refund guarantees back every return, DIY or expert-assisted. | Premium and Expert tiers can climb well above $100-$200 once state fees and add-ons are included. |
| Live expert help is available daily from 8am to 11pm ET, in English or Spanish. | Most itemized or self-employment situations push users out of the Free tier and into a paid plan. |
| Local, in-person help is available in 35 states and D.C. through TurboTax Verified Pro. | No public developer API; it’s a closed consumer product, not something to build on. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free Edition | $0 federal + $0 state (simple Form 1040 only, ~37% of filers qualify) |
| Deluxe (DIY) | $79 federal + $39 state |
| Premium (DIY) | $139 federal + $39 state |
Platform Availability
Web | Desktop (Windows, Mac)
Best For
Filers with simple returns wanting free DIY filing | Anyone wanting live expert help without leaving home | Small business owners needing a fully hands-off filing option
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TurboTax really free?
Yes, for simple returns. TurboTax’s Free Edition covers Form 1040 with the standard deduction, EITC, Child Tax Credit, and limited 1099-DIV/INT income, and the company states about 37% of filers qualify.
How much does TurboTax cost with state filing?
Deluxe runs $79 federal plus $39 state, and Premium runs $139 federal plus $39 state, according to TurboTax’s official pricing page.
What’s the difference between Expert Assist and Expert Full Service?
Expert Assist gives phone, chat, or screen-share access to a tax pro plus a final review while you file yourself, while Expert Full Service hands the entire return to a matched expert to prepare and file starting at $200 federal.
Does TurboTax guarantee accuracy?
Yes, TurboTax reimburses any IRS penalty or interest caused by a calculation error, and offers a full refund of the purchase price if another method finds a larger refund, according to Intuit’s official guarantees.
Can I get in-person tax help through TurboTax?
Yes, in 35 states and Washington, D.C., TurboTax Verified Pro matches users with an independent local tax professional for online or in-person assistance.
