We tried five online tax-preparation services in early 2017 and prepared nearly three dozen returns for five fictional filers—plus a few staffers—with a variety of incomes, living situations, states, and deductions.

This testing, along with more than 60 hours of filing and research in the past, confirmed that Turbo Tax is the best tax software for anyone who finds tax forms intimidating.

But I’m still able to file them on my own with Intuit’s software.

It adds some great new features every year, and it’s always available in multiple versions, each with its own price point.

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This is just a heads up for people using the number one tax software in America.

Problem number 1: “The program won’t let me…” This is the one I hear most often, “The program won’t let me change the number, it won’t let me delete my neighbor’s child.” Turbo Tax is great when you’re in the act of preparing your taxes, but it’s not as easy to go back in and make a change if you’ve done something wrong and need to correct it.

Our runner-up pick for simpler filing situations will once again be Tax Act, as Free Tax USA hasn’t added some of the security features we’d like to see.Here are six differences to consider when choosing tax software.Online tax software like Turbo Tax doesn't require a software installation and does not change anything on your computer because it runs through an internet browser like Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge or Firefox.Dough Roller receives compensation from some companies issuing financial products, like credit cards and bank accounts, that appear on this site.Unless a post is clearly marked "Sponsored", however, products mentioned in editorial articles and reviews are based on the author's subjective assessment of their value to readers, not compensation.Many online tax software options will also allow you to start your taxes for free.Turbo Tax, for example, allows you to do this, charging you only when you are ready to submit your completed tax return.