Best Tax Software for Investors and Crypto

What separates the best tax software for investors?

Four filers made the cut, and the gap between them is mostly price and how much typing you're willing to do. FreeTaxUSA scores 8.6 and costs $14.99 for a federal return, with the state at $14.99. TurboTax scores 8.2 and starts at $89, but its interview caught every deduction on all three returns and imported a brokerage 1099-B and crypto in seconds. Cash App Taxes scores 7.6 and is free for federal and state, including Schedule C and stock sales. TaxSlayer scores 7.4 and puts Schedule C, D and E on its $37.95 Classic tier.

The scoring criteria weight accuracy and guidance at 30, price at 25, ease of use at 20, support at 15, and import and features at 10. That's why a free filer doesn't automatically win: Cash App Taxes loses points on multi-state and foreign income, and TaxSlayer's $44.95 state fee is the most expensive here.

What should I check before buying?

Start with the forms you actually file. FreeTaxUSA handles them, but you type or summarise the sales yourself — there's no brokerage import. TurboTax imports them, and that convenience is what the higher price buys.

• State returns: Cash App Taxes includes the state at $0. FreeTaxUSA charges $14.99, TaxSlayer $44.95, and TurboTax reaches $193 for a freelancer or investor return with one state.
• Multi-state or part-year: Cash App Taxes doesn't support these. If you moved states, look elsewhere.
• Import: TurboTax imported a brokerage 1099-B and crypto in seconds. TaxSlayer's brokerage import is weak.
• Support: TurboTax Live Assisted puts a tax pro on video. Cash App Taxes includes free audit defense.
• Timing: TurboTax prices rise as April approaches, and upsells appear between sections.

FreeTaxUSA

Best for freelancers and investors who know their way around a form and want a $14.99 federal return. All three refunds matched the CPA, and there are no upsell screens between sections.

TurboTax

Best for anyone with messy brokerage or crypto records who wants the software to pull the numbers in. The interview caught every deduction on all three returns.

Cash App Taxes

Best for a single-state filer with a simple situation who wants $0 federal and state. You must install Cash App and create an account.

TaxSlayer

Best for a freelancer who wants Schedule C, D and E without being pushed into a pricier edition. Military filers file free.

FreeTaxUSA suits freelancers and investors who want a $14.99 federal return and don't mind typing stock sales. TurboTax suits anyone with brokerage or crypto records who wants imports and a guided interview. Cash App Taxes suits single-state filers who want $0 federal and state, and TaxSlayer suits freelancers who want Schedule C, D and E on the $37.95 Classic tier.