New York Post Composite The truth is, tax season is almost near. So, it’s time to look into which tax software you’d like to buy for online filing ASAP.
Before you click out of another mundane article about filing taxes (ahem, don’t), we’re here to bring you the best tax software programs to file your income and other commitments before the April 15, 2026 deadline.
“This year, taxpayers should also take time to understand how recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may affect them,” Andy Phillips, vice president of The Tax Institute at H&R Block, exclusively shared with the New York Post. “New or updated provisions can change what income is taxable or what deductions and credits are available, and tax software can help surface those issues if you answer questions carefully and completely.” (Read our expert FAQ for more).
Find the best tax software to file your taxes and rest assured that all is complete before the deadline (which is Monday, April 15 for most states).
Add at least one to your cart now so you’re well-equipped to do that money crunch.
Amazon Pros: Available as a disc or download Great for holders of stocks or bonds Good for property owners Cons: Some reviewers on Amazon complain of having to create an account on TurboTax in addition to having to download software Issues with tech support From filing stocks, bonds and mutual funds to employee stock plans and rental income and expenses, TurboTax Premier provides a full suite of tracking and filing options for you to have in one centralized hub.
What’s more, you’ll have access to everything in TurboTax Deluxe. Notably, there’s a feature to maximize your IRA savings to get more money back this year and when you retire, along with assistance if you purchased and sold stocks at different prices.
Amazon Pros: Guidance with Schedule A Audit risk assessment Helps with stocks and bonds Cons: Reported issues with software updates that impact accuracy If you’re a money nerd like we can be, you’ve likely heard of H&R Block. Its Deluxe + State Tax Software bundle is currently on sale and is ideal for those seeking to minimize deductions on your home and other properties.
Aside from providing the filing layout, this bundle uniquely provides step-by-step guidance on more than 350 credits and deductions and, impressively, in-person representation in the unlikely event of an audit.
What’s great about TaxAct is its well-curated bundles that target different classes of individuals: the homeowner, the investor (including real estate) and the self-employed (content creators, we’re talking to you).
Along with specialized options, TaxAct provides virtual live assistance from CPAs and other tax experts with the Xpert Assist add-on. And, in the event of a tax refund, you can even get reimbursed from TaxAct with its Refund Transfer option.
Whether you’re a self-employed accountant or part of a practice, TaxAct probably has a tax software bundle for you. Its 1040 Pay-Per-Return Edition, for example, provides one eSignature envelope for each return, as well as gives dedicated tech support and multi user licenses. There’s a handy data import feature to add clients personal data, and the company also has banking products to assist with refunds.
As a tax software program with one of the most affordable, baseline options available, TaxSlayer is a clear-cut winner. Its best value package, the Classic plan, helps you file all forms, credits and deductions.
TaxSlayer also has a Premium plan, too, with assistance from a tax professional, along with a Self-Employed plan for filing personal and small business income, 1099 and Schedule C.
Technically, this is more of a platform than software. However, if you’ve been using Bitcoin, or Gemini to stack your virtual dollars, this will help you to estimate your tax outcome. It provides support for more than 12 blockchains, as well as wallets and exchanges, so you’re covered to the fullest. Best of all, it’s free. Yes, free! All you have to do is sign up.
E-file, short for electronic filing, is the process of submitting your tax return digitally to the IRS using an online platform rather than mailing paper forms. Services like e-file.com provide cloud-based tax software that guides users step-by-step through entering income, deductions and credits, while automatically performing calculations and ensuring compliance with current tax laws.
As an authorized IRS e-file provider, e-file.com allows taxpayers to prepare and submit both federal and state returns from any device, with built-in tools, tax calculators and support features that simplify what can otherwise be a complex process.
Additionally, E-file is considered the quickest platform for filing taxes primarily because it eliminates the delays associated with paper filing. When you submit your return electronically, it is transmitted to the IRS instantly, processed faster and often results in quicker refunds — especially when combined with direct deposit.
“Taxpayers can request a six-month extension for filing tax returns, but it does not change the payment deadline of April 15,” Garrett Watson, a senior policy analyst at The Tax Foundation who conducts research on federal and state tax policy, shared with The Post. “This means that payments remitted after this date for taxes owed may be subject to penalties and interest. The best practice this year is to try and file electronically as much as possible, as the IRS has a large paper return backlog that may increase your risk of delays if you file a return on paper.”
“For first-time filers, the best advice is to start early and stay organized,” Phillips shared. “Gather your key documents upfront and use a checklist so nothing gets missed.”
It also helps to understand whether you’re likely to get a refund or owe, so there are no surprises at the end. “Your expected outcome can be determined in advance with tools like H&R Block’s tax calculator,” he added.
It’s also important not to overlook state and local taxes. “Many first-time filers are surprised to learn they may have separate state or local filing requirements, different deadlines or benefits that don’t exist at the federal level,” Phillipss said. “State and local rules vary widely, so confirming what applies where you live and work can help avoid missed filings or missed savings.”
Well first off, don’t be this person. If you don’t file either your return or an extension by April 15, you’ll be subject to a late filing penalty.
“The penalty is usually 5% of the amount you owe for each month, up to a maximum of 25%,” Phillips explained. “Interest also accrues on any unpaid tax after the deadline.”
Phillips shared the penalty for failing to file on time is up to 10 times higher than the penalty for just failing to pay, so it almost always makes sense to file on time, even if you can’t pay what you owe.
“Filing for an extension gives you until Oct. 15 to file a return, but it’s important to remember an extension to file is not an extension to pay, so paying what you can by the April deadline can help limit penalties and interest,” he noted.
The One Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law last July, is a large package that includes sweeping tax reform, making many provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent.
“It also introduces new tax rules affecting individuals, families and businesses starting in the year 2025, and beyond,” Phillips said.
The seven-bracket structure introduced under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has been made permanent through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). “While the federal income tax rates remain at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%, there will be a special inflation adjustment for the 10% and 12% brackets,” Phillips explained. “Taxpayers should review the updated thresholds annually to understand how they may be affected.”
The standard deduction from the TCJA is now permanent and slightly expanded. For 2025, this means:
While there is no special first-time homebuyer credit or deduction, there are a variety of potential tax benefits available to all homeowners.
“Homeowners who itemize can deduct certain state and local taxes (SALT), including real property taxes on a personal residence,” Phillips shared. “The SALT deduction cap was increased under OBBBA from $10,000 to $40,000 for tax years 2025-2029, subject to certain limitations.”
For homeowners who installed qualifying energy-efficient home improvements, they may qualify for a tax credit for those investments. However, the availability for that credit ended on Dec. 31, 2025. “This means investments made in later years will not qualify,” Phillips added.
Homeowners may also be able to deduct mortgage interest on up to $750,000 worth of mortgage debt, but they must itemize their deductions. “Starting in 2026, homeowners who itemize may be able to deduct Private Mortgage Insurance (often called PMI) as well,” said Phillips.
“For most people, the reality is that most opportunities to lower your tax bill end when the tax year ends,” Phillips noted. “Once the calendar flips, your income and most deductions are already set.”
That said, there are still a few last‑minute items worth checking:
“Capital gains from investments are taxed as ordinary income if they are realized on an asset owned for less than one year, while capital gains from assets held for longer than one year are subject to lower tax rates,” Watson explains.
That said, taxpayers should submit a Schedule D form with their individual income tax return (or directly on Form 1040 if applicable). Taxpayers may also deduct up to $3,000 in capital losses from ordinary taxable income, but must carry over any additional losses to be used in future tax years, he notes.
“It’s important to have on hand all of the relevant income sources when filling out your tax return, including but not limited to W2 forms for wage income and any taxable benefits, interest income from sources like a savings account and self-employment income,” Watson said.
If you have self-employment income, having a good understanding of your total gross income and expenses that can be deducted from that gross income helps ensure you’re not overpaying or underpaying in taxes, too.
“Tax preparation software is well-suited for taxpayers with straightforward tax situations, especially if they do not have a complicated business tax situation and take the standard deduction or limited itemized deductions,” Watson said.
However, for more complicated tax returns, professional preparers can “help identify areas where mistakes are more common and point out any missed opportunities to reduce one’s taxable income,” he adds.
The word “audit” has a slightly negative connotation, as nobody wants the IRS probing into your financial affairs. Typically, the organization has “three years to audit most returns after they are filed,” per Nolo, and, at a glance, one out of every 500 tax returns are audited. That’s an audit rate of 0.2% in a three-year time frame.
Additionally, audits are typically flagged for a suite of reasons, including taking large deductions in relation. to your income, claiming a business loss, not reporting all of your income, having evidence to mislead or being “sloppy” with your return, being a higher earner, having self-employment income, having foreign accounts, owning digital assets like cryptocurrency and claiming too many charitable donations.
According to TurboTax, being married and filing jointly typically can net you a bigger Standard Deduction which, in turn, reduces your taxable income. Filing together generally means you can earn more and still qualify for certain tax breaks, like IRA contributions and education credits as well.
Moreover, you may pay higher taxes separately than if you teamed up on a joint return. This holds true if only one spouse has taxable income. Filing separately may also allow you to save on medical bills. By clearing the 7.5% threshold on adjusted gross income, you may qualify for medical deductions, considering you’d only be claiming one income.
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