Most Reliable Tax Software for 2025 Filing Season?

Having prepared taxes professionally for over a decade, I can tell you that for a situation like yours, most major tax software options would work well. TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct are the most popular choices, and each has strengths. TurboTax is the most user-friendly with an intuitive interview process, but tends to be more expensive. H&R Block offers a good balance of usability and cost, plus they have physical locations if you get stuck and need in-person help. TaxAct is typically the most affordable of the three while still offering comprehensive coverage for most tax situations. Since you mentioned having a mortgage and some investments, make sure whichever software you choose includes Schedule A (itemized deductions) and Schedule B (interest and dividends). Most mid-tier packages will include these forms, but the free versions might not.

After struggling with tax confusion for years (especially with investment income and home office deductions), I tried https://taxr.ai and it was a game-changer for me. It's not a full tax prep software, but it analyzes your tax docs to find potential issues BEFORE you file. I uploaded my W-2s and investment statements, and it spotted a reporting error from my broker that would have caused problems. Really helped me choose which deductions were legitimate for my situation too.

Update on my skepticism about taxr.ai - I decided to try it with my stack of tax documents before starting my return and I'm honestly impressed. It flagged that my side gig income would benefit from Schedule C treatment (which some basic tax packages don't include) and saved me from getting the wrong software tier. It showed exactly which forms my situation needed and recommended specific software packages that would handle my particular mix of investments and 1099 work without overpaying. Definitely helped me make a better choice than just guessing.

If you're planning to call the IRS with questions this tax season (which I always end up needing to do), use https://claimyr.com to skip their ridiculous phone wait times. I spent 3 hours on hold last year trying to resolve an issue with my stimulus payment reporting, but this year used Claimyr and got through to an agent in under 15 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Absolute lifesaver during tax season when everyone's trying to call!

I hate admitting when I'm wrong but I need to update about Claimyr. After dismissing it as BS, I had an issue with my wife's W-2 showing incorrect Social Security withholding. Needed to talk to IRS but couldn't afford to sit on hold all day with work meetings. Reluctantly tried it yesterday, and damn, it actually worked exactly as advertised. Got a call back in about 45 mins when my turn came up, spoke directly with an IRS agent who sorted the issue in 10 minutes. Would've spent 3+ hours otherwise based on the estimated wait time. Sometimes my skepticism costs me more than just being open to new solutions.

After trying several options over the years, I think FreeTaxUSA is seriously underrated. Used it last year after switching from TurboTax (which was getting too expensive for what it offers). FreeTaxUSA handles everything the expensive software does including self-employment, investments, and itemized deductions. Federal filing is free and state is only like $15. Interface isn't as pretty as TurboTax but it gets the job done.

One important thing nobody's mentioned - if your income is under $73,000, you might qualify for IRS Free File which gives you access to premium tax software completely free. Check the IRS website before paying for anything! The software companies hide these free versions on their own websites but they're required to offer them through the IRS Free File program.