Best State Tax Filing Software 2026: Cheapest Way to File State Taxes
Cheapest state filing: Cash App Taxes (free). Next cheapest: FreeTaxUSA ($14.99/state). Best value with strong features: E-file.com. Most expensive: TurboTax ($59/state) and H&R Block ($55/state).
Apply Now →At a Glance
| # | Card / Product | Award | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | APR Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E-file.com | Best Overall | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
| 2 | Cash App Taxes | Completely Free | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
| 3 | FreeTaxUSA Free Edition | Cheapest State Option | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
| 4 | FreeTaxUSA | Best Free Federal + Cheap State | Federal filing: free for all return types | State filing: $15.99 per state | Deluxe upgrade: $7.99 (adds priority support + unlimited amended returns) | All federal forms free (W-2, Schedule C/D/E, itemized deductions); state $15.99; audit assistance; e-file | N/A | Apply → |
| 5 | H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2025 | Best In-Person State Help | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
| 6 | TaxAct Online | Best Mid-Range State | Free / $29.99 / $49.99 / $69.99 (federal) | Xpert Assist (paid add-on) | $0–$64.99 per state | Apply → |
E-file.com
“E-file.com includes competitive state filing pricing — the best combination of federal and state cost for filers who want a polished experience without TurboTax's $59 state fee.”
What we like
- Free federal filing for most situations — no tiered pricing confusion
- $25 state filing — 61% cheaper than TurboTax ($64) and 32% cheaper than H&R Block ($37)
- IRS-authorized e-file provider — same IRS processing as TurboTax or H&R Block
- Supports most major forms: Schedule A, C, D, E, and common credits
- No aggressive upsell structure — flat pricing is transparent
- Has processed millions of returns since 1999 — established track record
Watch out for
- Interface is dated and less polished than TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct
- Limited deduction discovery — does not proactively surface missed deductions
- No live CPA or tax professional access at any tier
- Email and chat support only — no phone support
- Less brokerage integration than TurboTax for investment import
- User reviews report occasional UX friction and customer service delays during peak season
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Cash App Taxes
“Cash App Taxes files federal AND state for free — the only major platform with genuinely free state filing. Best choice for single-state filers who qualify.”
What we like
- $0 federal + $0 state — the only major tax software that is truly free for both
- No income limits, no upsell pressure, no paid upgrade required for common situations
- Covers W-2, student loan interest, education credits (Form 8863), basic investment income
- Fast, clean interface — one of the most efficient filing experiences available
- Prior-year return import available; W-2 import via employer database
Watch out for
- No multi-state filing — if you moved between states in 2025, this won't work
- No live CPA or tax expert access at any price
- Limited full Schedule C — works for very basic self-employment, not multiple expense categories
- Audit Defense (if desired) costs extra via the Max plan
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
FreeTaxUSA Free Edition
“FreeTaxUSA charges $14.99 per state return — the lowest state filing price among platforms that handle complex federal returns. Best for filers in multiple states.”
What we like
- Federal filing is 100% free — including Schedule C, capital gains, rental income, and itemized deductions
- State filing at $14.99 — the cheapest state option of any major tax software
- Free audit assistance included at basic tier (guidance on IRS notices, not full representation)
- Prior-year comparison and PDF import of last year's return
- Supports virtually all IRS forms at the free federal tier
Watch out for
- State filing is not free — $14.99 per state (Cash App Taxes is $0)
- Interface is functional but dated compared to TurboTax or H&R Block
- No live CPA or tax expert access (available via third-party at added cost)
- W-2 import is manual entry only — no employer integration
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
FreeTaxUSA
“FreeTaxUSA also offers a baseline free federal option with $14.99 state — consistently the most affordable path for filers who need both federal and state returns.”
What we like
- Free federal filing for ALL return types: W-2, Schedule C (self-employed), Schedule D (investments), Schedule E (rental), itemized deductions
- State returns: $15.99 each — the lowest state filing cost of any major paid software
- No income limit for free federal filing
- Deluxe upgrade ($7.99) adds priority support and unlimited amended returns
- 100% accuracy guarantee and IRS audit support included
Watch out for
- Interface is more functional than polished — less guided than TurboTax or H&R Block
- No in-person support option (online only)
- Less name recognition than TurboTax or H&R Block for first-time users
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2025
“H&R Block is the best choice for complex state situations (multi-state, part-year resident) — in-person office assistance available for state-specific questions before April 15.”
What we like
Watch out for
- Interface less polished than TurboTax
- Self-employed version lacks some TurboTax features
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
TaxAct Online
“TaxAct Online provides solid state filing support at mid-range pricing — good for filers who want TaxAct's federal interface with integrated state return preparation.”
What we like
- Self-Employed tier at $69.99 federal — less than half of TurboTax's $139
- New customer promotion: federal + 1 state for $29.99 through March 31, 2026
- Supports all major tax situations (investments, Schedule C, rental income)
- W-2 import included
- Accuracy and maximum refund guaranteed
Watch out for
- No live CPA or tax professional access on any base tier — Xpert Assist is a $49.99 add-on
- State filing costs $64.99/state on Premier and Self-Employed tiers — $20 more per state than FreeTaxUSA ($14.99)
- Free tier covers only ~44% of filers (W-2 income, no Schedule C, D, or itemized deductions)
- Navigation is less intuitive than TurboTax — error review requires more manual back-and-forth through the question flow
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
State Tax Filing Software Buying Guide
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich / PexelsQuick Verdict: Our top pick is the E-file.com (Best Value with State) — E-file.com includes competitive state filing pricing — the best combination of federal and state cost for filers who ....
Great for: DIY filers with W-2 income, freelancers, and small business owners who want accurate filing without paying a CPA
Not ideal if: You have complex multi-state filing, a trust, or estate issues — software has limits that a CPA handles better
State Tax Costs by Platform
| Platform | Federal | State |
|---|---|---|
| Cash App Taxes | Free | Free |
| IRS Free File | Free | Varies |
| FreeTaxUSA | Free | $14.99 |
| TaxSlayer Simply Free | Free | $0 (1 state) |
| E-file.com | Competitive | Competitive |
| TaxAct | $47-$100 | $54.99 |
| H&R Block | $0-$85 | $45-$55 |
| TurboTax | $0-$129 | $59 |
States With No Income Tax
Multi-State Filers
If you moved during 2025, you file as a part-year resident in two states — one return per state. Most software charges for each state return separately. TurboTax: $118 for two state returns. FreeTaxUSA: $29.98 for two states. Cash App Taxes: free for unlimited states. For multi-state situations, platform choice has real financial impact.Remote Workers in Different States
State Extension Rules
Most states automatically extend when you file a federal extension (Form 4868). Some states require a separate extension form. Check your state's department of revenue website for state-specific deadlines — a handful of states have different deadlines from the April 15 federal date.Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tax software has the cheapest state filing?
Do I have to file a state tax return?
What happens if I forget to file my state tax return?
Can I file my state return separately from my federal return?
Which state has the highest income tax?
How We Evaluate Financial Products
We compare financial products based on objective criteria: annual fees, APR ranges, rewards rates, sign-up bonuses, and key perks. We do not factor in issuer relationships or compensation when determining rankings. Products are ranked based on overall value for the target use case described on this page.
Rates and terms change frequently. We update these pages regularly, but always verify current rates directly on the issuer’s website before applying. APR ranges shown reflect the full possible range — your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness.
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We compare products; we do not advise on which product is right for your personal financial situation. Read our full methodology →