4 AI models · 13 ranked · updated aug 10, 2026

Best Tax Filing Software, according to AI (2026).

There is no single answer. The models crown 2 different leaders at the latest close. TurboTax holds the consensus #1 at a score of 46, but the model-by-model record below shows a genuinely contested category.

This guide is built from the recorded answers of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity to the real questions buyers ask about tax filing software. We logged 2,020 of them this period, covering 13 tools. We report what the models said, in the order they said it. Nobody paid to be here, and we don't add opinions of our own.

Prefer the raw board? See the full model-by-model ranking. Every rank, every score, every close.

The models don’t agree.

Asked the same question, the 4 models named 2 different winners. ChatGPT and Claude and Gemini picked TurboTax; Perplexity picked FreeTaxUSA.

#1
TurboTax
Up 3 from the last closeconsensus 46
TurboTax holds the consensus #1 at a score of 46, with Gemini placing it first outright.
It climbed 3 positions at the latest close.
TurboTax — Best for people willing to pay a premium for the smoothest guided workflow and broad access to live tax experts or full-service preparation, but it is rarely the best value for a capable DIY filer.
ChatGPT, this close
TurboTax – The most polished, easiest-to-use interface with great W-2/1099 auto-import and AI-assisted guidance, but it's the priciest option so it's best if you value hand-holding over saving money.
Claude, this close
Gemini#1PPLX#2compare head-to-head
#2
FreeTaxUSA
Down 1 from the last closeconsensus 43
Perplexity places FreeTaxUSA at #1, even though it sits at #2 on consensus. That is a genuine split in the record.
It slipped 1 position at the latest close.
FreeTaxUSA — My best overall pick for most DIY filers because federal filing is free even for investments, rental income, and self-employment, while state returns are a straightforward $15.99 each rather than a costly upgrade ladder.
ChatGPT, this close
FreeTaxUSA – The best value in the industry: truly free federal filing (with a cheap flat fee for state) even for moderately complex returns like investments, self-employment, and rental income, making it my top pick for cost-conscious filers who don't need much hand-holding.
Claude, this close
Gemini#3PPLX#1compare head-to-head
#3
H&R Block
No change from the last closeconsensus 37
H&R Block ranks #3 on consensus with a score of 37, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #4 on Perplexity, a spread of 3.
H&R Block Online or Desktop — Best paid choice if you value a polished experience plus an easy path to real human help, review services, or an in-person office when your return gets complicated.
ChatGPT, this close
H&R Block – Excellent all-around choice thanks to a strong free tier, a genuinely useful hybrid model where you can walk into a physical office if you get stuck, and solid tax-pro support add-ons.
Claude, this close
Gemini#2PPLX#4compare head-to-head
#4
Cash App Taxes
Down 2 from the last closeconsensus 31
Cash App Taxes ranks #4 on consensus with a score of 31, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #5 on Gemini, a spread of 4.
It slipped 2 positions at the latest close.
Cash App Taxes — Best zero-cost alternative if it supports every form and state you need, since it advertises $0 federal and state filing regardless of tax situation; I rank it below FreeTaxUSA because its coverage and support model can be less forgiving for edge cases.
ChatGPT, this close
Cash App Taxes – Completely free federal and state filing with no income restrictions, ideal for people with straightforward returns who want a no-cost option now that Direct File is gone.
Claude, this close
Gemini#5PPLX#3compare head-to-head
#5
TaxSlayer
Up 2 from the last closeconsensus 28
TaxSlayer ranks #5 on consensus with a score of 28, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #5 on Perplexity, a spread of 4.
It climbed 2 positions at the latest close.
TaxSlayer Classic — A credible low-to-mid-cost option for a broad range of returns, with major forms and schedules included for $44.99 federal, though it is usually less compelling than FreeTaxUSA or 1040.com on price.
ChatGPT, this close
TaxSlayer – A great budget pick for self-employed/gig workers and freelancers, offering solid Schedule C support at a fraction of TurboTax's price.
Claude, this close
Gemini#4PPLX#5compare head-to-head
#6
TaxAct
New entry at the last closeconsensus 22
TaxAct ranks #6 on consensus with a score of 22, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #6 on Perplexity, a spread of 5.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
TaxAct — A solid conventional tax-prep product with a legitimate free tier for qualifying simple returns and an IRS Free File path for certain taxpayers, but its paid tiers become expensive relative to the stronger options above.
ChatGPT, this close
TaxAct – A dependable middle-ground option between TurboTax's premium pricing and TaxSlayer's bargain pricing, with a nice price-lock guarantee and decent support for more complex situations like multi-state filing.
Claude, this close
Gemini#6PPLX#6compare head-to-head
#7
IRS Free File
New entry at the last closeconsensus 10
IRS Free File ranks #7 on consensus with a score of 10, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #11 on Gemini, a spread of 10.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
It is the most contested name in this category. It carries the widest cross-model disagreement on the board.
IRS Free File partner software — If your 2025 AGI was $89,000 or less, start here before paying anyone: the IRS lists eight guided-software partners, though each has its own age, income, state, and return-type eligibility rules.
ChatGPT, this close
IRS Free File (via partner software) – If your AGI is under the threshold, this gives you free access to name-brand software (like TaxAct or TaxSlayer versions) directly through IRS.gov, worth checking before paying for anything.
Claude, this close
PPLX#7compare head-to-head
#8
Jackson Hewitt
New entry at the last closeconsensus 10
Jackson Hewitt ranks #8 on consensus with a score of 10, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #10 on Perplexity, a spread of 9.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
Jackson Hewitt Online — Worth considering mainly when you want a hybrid of online filing and the backup of a retail preparer, but I would generally choose H&R Block first for that use case.
ChatGPT, this close
Jackson Hewitt Online – A solid, low-cost alternative with straightforward pricing, best for simple-to-moderate returns if you want a recognizable brand without TurboTax/H&R Block pricing.
Claude, this close
Gemini#7compare head-to-head
#9
Free File Fillable Forms
New entry at the last closeconsensus 8
Free File Fillable Forms ranks #9 on consensus with a score of 8, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #11 on Gemini, a spread of 10.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
Free File Fillable Forms — Useful for confident filers with simple returns who do not need much guidance and want an IRS-backed free form-filling option.
Perplexity, this close
PPLX#8compare head-to-head
#10
OLT (OnLine Taxes)
New entry at the last closeconsensus 8
OLT (OnLine Taxes) ranks #10 on consensus with a score of 8, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #10 on Perplexity, a spread of 9.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
OLT (OnLine Taxes): A no-frills, highly affordable option that is best suited for experienced filers who do not need extensive hand-holding.
Gemini, this close
Gemini#8compare head-to-head
#11
Credit Karma Tax
New entry at the last closeconsensus 7
Credit Karma Tax ranks #11 on consensus with a score of 7, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #11 on Gemini, a spread of 10.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
Credit Karma Tax / legacy free-file style alternatives — Historically appealing for free filing, but current availability and feature set should be checked carefully before relying on them.
Perplexity, this close
PPLX#9compare head-to-head
#12
Liberty Tax
New entry at the last closeconsensus 7
Liberty Tax ranks #12 on consensus with a score of 7, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #10 on Perplexity, a spread of 9.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
Liberty Tax: Provides a basic online filing experience backed by access to local branches if you suddenly decide you need professional help.
Gemini, this close
Gemini#9compare head-to-head
#13
e-file.com
New entry at the last closeconsensus 6
e-file.com ranks #13 on consensus with a score of 6, scoring best on ChatGPT (#1).
The models disagree about it more than most: #1 on ChatGPT but #10 on Perplexity, a spread of 9.
It entered the ranking at the latest close. A new name in the models' answers.
E-file.com – One of the cheapest paid options available, decent for simple returns where you just want a no-frills, low-cost e-file experience.
Claude, this close
e-file.com: A budget-friendly alternative with frequent discounts, though it lacks the polished interface and deep educational resources of higher-ranked competitors.
Gemini, this close
Gemini#10compare head-to-head

Questions people ask.

What is the best tax filing software according to AI?

TurboTax holds the consensus #1 at the latest close with a score of 46 out of 100, ahead of FreeTaxUSA. The models don't fully agree: 2 different brands are crowned #1 across the four models.

Which tax filing software does ChatGPT recommend first?

ChatGPT's current #1 for tax filing software is shown in the model column of the full ranking.

Which tax filing software does Claude recommend first?

Claude's current #1 for tax filing software is shown in the model column of the full ranking.

How are these rankings measured?

We ask each model the same buying questions on every run (2,020 queries this period), record the full answers, and score each named brand 0-100 by how early and how consistently it appears. Every question runs through the official model APIs, with web search on, not through the consumer chat apps, so nothing is personalized to a user. Each model is scored independently; the consensus blends all 4.

Do the AI models agree with each other?

Not fully. The four models crown 2 different #1s at the latest close, and several brands carry wide spreads. That is the gap between their best and worst model rank. That disagreement is a finding, not noise: different models read different sources.

This is the guide. The record has more.

The full ranking shows every model’s column side by side, 12 weeks of movement, and the methodology behind every number.

See the full ranking