{"slug":"best-tax-software","title":"Best tax software","question":"What are the best tax filing software options in 2026?","verdict":"As of 2026-07-07, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok collectively rank TurboTax #1 for tax software on ModelsAgree by aggregate score. The models' case: The most polished guided interview in the category, broadest form coverage (self-employed, investments, rental, multi-state), seamless import of W-2s/1099s/prior returns. The models' main caveat: Slash its premium pricing and stop the aggressive upsell/\"free\" bait-and-switch that pushes users into paid tiers. The strongest alternative is H&R Block — Best overall mix of guided filing, broad form coverage, transparent help options, strong DIY software, and access to real tax pros or offices when a. Not unanimous: ChatGPT picks H&R Block. Source: https://modelsagree.com/best/best-tax-software (modelsagree.com, CC BY 4.0).","category":"Money","url":"https://modelsagree.com/best/best-tax-software","updated":"2026-07-07","models":["ChatGPT","Claude","Gemini","Grok"],"consensus":"3 of 4 models rank TurboTax the top pick","disagreement":"ChatGPT picks H&R Block","combined":[{"rank":1,"product":"TurboTax","domain":"intuit.com","score":19,"appearances":4,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":2,"Claude":1,"Gemini":1,"Grok":1},"reason":"The most polished guided interview in the category, broadest form coverage (self-employed, investments, rental, multi-state), seamless import of W-2s/1099s/prior returns and crypto, plus live expert review (TurboTax Live) and audit support; handles the most complex situations with the least user confusion."},{"rank":2,"product":"H&R Block","domain":"hrblock.com","score":15,"appearances":4,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":1,"Claude":3,"Gemini":2,"Grok":3},"reason":"Best overall mix of guided filing, broad form coverage, transparent help options, strong DIY software, and access to real tax pros or offices when a return gets complicated"},{"rank":3,"product":"FreeTaxUSA","domain":"freetaxusa.com","score":14,"appearances":4,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":3,"Claude":2,"Gemini":3,"Grok":2},"reason":"Free federal filing for virtually every form including self-employment, investments, and rental income, with only a low flat fee for state — by far the best value for complex returns; accurate, no-gimmick, and supports prior-year imports."},{"rank":4,"product":"TaxSlayer","domain":"taxslayer.com","score":7,"appearances":4,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":5,"Claude":4,"Gemini":4,"Grok":4},"reason":"Low flat pricing across tiers (Classic covers all major forms including self-employment) makes it the best budget pick for confident filers; fast, lightweight, and includes free phone/email support even at lower tiers."},{"rank":5,"product":"TaxAct","domain":"taxact.com","score":3,"appearances":2,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":4,"Grok":5},"reason":"Solid balance of price, form coverage, accuracy tools, and support for homeowners, investors, landlords, and self-employed filers without TurboTax-level cost"},{"rank":6,"product":"Cash App Taxes","domain":"cash.app","score":2,"appearances":2,"modelRanks":{"Claude":5,"Gemini":5},"reason":"Genuinely 100% free for both federal AND state with no tier upsells, covering most common situations including some self-employment and investment income — unbeatable for the price."}],"perModel":{"ChatGPT":[{"rank":1,"product":"H&R Block","reason":"Best overall mix of guided filing, broad form coverage, transparent help options, strong DIY software, and access to real tax pros or offices when a return gets complicated","fix":"Lower paid-tier and state-filing prices"},{"rank":2,"product":"TurboTax","reason":"Best user experience, strongest interview flow, excellent import tools, broad support for investors, freelancers, crypto, rentals, and complex returns","fix":"Reduce aggressive upsells and total filing cost"},{"rank":3,"product":"FreeTaxUSA","reason":"Best value for most confident filers, free federal filing, low-cost state returns, broad form support, and far less pricing friction than the big brands","fix":"Add a more polished guided experience and stronger live expert support"},{"rank":4,"product":"TaxAct","reason":"Solid balance of price, form coverage, accuracy tools, and support for homeowners, investors, landlords, and self-employed filers without TurboTax-level cost","fix":"Modernize the interface and make help feel less add-on dependent"},{"rank":5,"product":"TaxSlayer","reason":"Competitive pricing, flexible plans, useful support options, and good coverage for common tax situations including self-employment","fix":"Improve the guided workflow and error explanations for less experienced filers"}],"Claude":[{"rank":1,"product":"TurboTax","reason":"The most polished guided interview in the category, broadest form coverage (self-employed, investments, rental, multi-state), seamless import of W-2s/1099s/prior returns and crypto, plus live expert review (TurboTax Live) and audit support; handles the most complex situations with the least user confusion.","fix":"Slash its premium pricing and stop the aggressive upsell/\"free\" bait-and-switch that pushes users into paid tiers."},{"rank":2,"product":"FreeTaxUSA","reason":"Free federal filing for virtually every form including self-employment, investments, and rental income, with only a low flat fee for state — by far the best value for complex returns; accurate, no-gimmick, and supports prior-year imports.","fix":"Modernize the dated UI and add stronger automated document import (auto W-2/1099 photo/PDF capture) to match the big players' onboarding speed."},{"rank":3,"product":"H&R Block","reason":"Strong guided software comparable to TurboTax with more generous free-tier form coverage, plus a unique nationwide network of physical offices for in-person help and the ability to hand off mid-return to a pro.","fix":"Reduce mid-tier pricing and trim its own upsell prompts to clearly undercut TurboTax on value."},{"rank":4,"product":"TaxSlayer","reason":"Low flat pricing across tiers (Classic covers all major forms including self-employment) makes it the best budget pick for confident filers; fast, lightweight, and includes free phone/email support even at lower tiers.","fix":"Improve the guidance/explanations and help content so less-experienced filers aren't left guessing on deductions and credits."},{"rank":5,"product":"Cash App Taxes","reason":"Genuinely 100% free for both federal AND state with no tier upsells, covering most common situations including some self-employment and investment income — unbeatable for the price.","fix":"Add multi-state filing, broaden support for complex forms (e.g., multiple state returns, certain K-1s), and offer real human support to remove the deal-breakers for advanced filers."}],"Gemini":[{"rank":1,"product":"TurboTax","reason":"Exceptional step-by-step guided interview process, comprehensive form coverage for all tax situations, and robust access to live CPA support.","fix":"Lower the cost of its premium tiers and eliminate aggressive upselling during the filing process."},{"rank":2,"product":"H&R Block","reason":"Clean and transparent digital interface combined with the unique advantage of in-person support at physical offices and strong self-employed filing tools.","fix":"Simplify the pricing tiers and lower the fees associated with state return filings."},{"rank":3,"product":"FreeTaxUSA","reason":"Unbeatable value by offering completely free federal filing for all major tax situations, including investments and self-employment.","fix":"Upgrade its dated, text-heavy interface to a modern, more visual step-by-step wizard."},{"rank":4,"product":"TaxSlayer","reason":"Highly affordable flat-rate pricing for all tax forms paired with a fast, straightforward navigation system.","fix":"Expand and improve the depth of its context-sensitive help resources and tooltips."},{"rank":5,"product":"Cash App Taxes","reason":"Completely free federal and state tax filing with an intuitive, mobile-optimized experience for simple to moderate returns.","fix":"Add support for complex forms, enable automated 1099 imports, and introduce live expert assistance."}],"Grok":[{"rank":1,"product":"TurboTax","reason":"State-of-the-art intuitive Q&A interface with broadest coverage of deductions/credits/situations, advanced AI + live expert support, and strong accuracy/maximum refund guarantees that top independent tests like PCMag.","fix":"Lower base pricing and sharply reduce aggressive upselling to improve accessibility and value for typical users."},{"rank":2,"product":"FreeTaxUSA","reason":"Exceptional value with free federal filing across virtually all forms and situations plus very low state fees, while delivering robust coverage for self-employment, investments, and complex returns without paywalls.","fix":"Add a more polished guided interview experience and stronger contextual help to better serve users who prefer step-by-step hand-holding over form navigation."},{"rank":3,"product":"H&R Block","reason":"Strong DIY tools combined with seamless live professional assistance options (chat, remote, in-person), excellent contextual help, and reliable performance across simple to complex returns with good mobile support.","fix":"Deliver clearer upfront pricing transparency and more competitive rates for self-employed or investment-heavy returns to expand DIY appeal."},{"rank":4,"product":"TaxSlayer","reason":"Competitive low pricing paired with standout priority customer support and expert guidance, plus solid features well-suited for self-employed and freelancers according to Forbes and other 2026 reviews.","fix":"Modernize the interface with stronger AI-powered deduction discovery and smoother navigation to raise ease-of-use scores against premium leaders."},{"rank":5,"product":"TaxAct","reason":"Excellent accuracy and penalty protection guarantees, clear intuitive navigation with useful tools like Deduction Maximizer, and reliable comprehensive coverage at good value.","fix":"Expand integrated live expert/AI support options and increase brand visibility through stronger marketing to boost user preference and adoption."}]},"missedByModel":{"ChatGPT":[{"product":"Cash App Taxes","reason":"excellent free option but too limited for complex returns and not broad enough for every state or situation"},{"product":"Jackson Hewitt Online","reason":"useful flat-price filing and office backup, but the software experience is less polished than the top five"}],"Claude":[{"product":"TaxAct","reason":"solid mid-range coverage and accuracy guarantee, but pricing has crept up to near-TurboTax levels without matching its polish or support"}],"Gemini":[{"product":"TaxAct","reason":"priced too closely to premium competitors without providing the equivalent level of interactive guidance or live support"},{"product":"Wealthsimple Tax","reason":"highly rated pay-what-you-want platform that is excluded from the top five because it only supports Canadian tax returns"}],"Grok":[{"product":"Cash App Taxes","reason":"completely free federal + state with fast UX but shallower help and less suited for complex/high-support needs per PCMag"}]}}