Tax season 2026 is officially here, and honestly, it feels a little different this year. With the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (the Working Families Tax Cut) shaking up the rules for your 2025 returns, the old logic of picking a tax software version has mostly gone out the window. You’re likely sitting there staring at a screen of colorful boxes wondering, "Which version of TurboTax do I need?" and more importantly, "Am I about to overpay for features I won’t even touch?"
Let’s get real. TurboTax is great at nudging you toward the $100+ versions. Sometimes you actually need them. Other times, you're just paying for a fancy interface you could’ve skipped.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" changed the game
Before we look at the software, you have to understand the new tax reality for the 2025 tax year. The SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction cap just jumped from $10,000 to a massive $40,000 for most people.
Why does that matter?
It means a lot of people who used to take the standard deduction might actually save more money by itemizing this year. If you’re a homeowner in a high-tax state like New Jersey, New York, or California, the math has shifted. This immediately changes which version of TurboTax do I need because the "Free" version won't let you itemize those big new deductions.
Breaking down the 2025-2026 versions
Intuit rebranded a few things this year. "Live" is now "Expert Assist," and the tiers have been slightly shuffled to handle things like the new "No Tax on Tips" and "No Tax on Overtime" rules.
TurboTax Free Edition (The "Almost Impossible" Tier)
The Free Edition is legendary for being hard to qualify for. It’s strictly for "simple" returns. We're talking W-2 income only, standard deduction, and maybe some student loan interest.
If you have a 1099-NEC from a side gig or you sold $10 worth of Bitcoin, the software will unceremoniously boot you into a paid tier. It’s a bummer, but that’s the business model. Use this if you are a student or a straight-line employee with zero investments and no house.
TurboTax Deluxe: The Homeowner’s Sweet Spot
This is where most people land. If you own a home, Deluxe is basically mandatory because it handles the mortgage interest and those newly expanded SALT deductions.
It also searches for over 350 deductions. If you’re a parent claiming the Child Tax Credit or you’ve got significant charitable donations from cleaning out your garage, this is your home.
TurboTax Premium: The Investor & Landlord Box
Last year, there was "Premier" and "Self-Employed." Now, they’ve largely consolidated these into TurboTax Premium.
This is the one you need if you:
- Sold any stock, bonds, or mutual funds.
- Traded even a fraction of Cryptocurrency.
- Own a rental property (it handles the headache of depreciation).
- Have "Side Hustle" income reported on a 1099-K or 1099-NEC.
Honestly, the crypto integration is the main reason people buy this. It can pull in thousands of transactions from exchanges, which is a lifesaver compared to manual entry.
The Expert Assist vs. Full Service Dilemma
This is the big upsell. You'll see buttons everywhere for Expert Assist.
Basically, you’re paying a premium to have a human on standby. You do the work, but you can video-chat an expert to ask, "Hey, can I actually deduct my home office if I also use it for gaming?"
✨ Don't miss: Finding an Enrolled Agent Online Course That Actually Works for You
Then there is Expert Full Service. This is for when you just... can't. You upload your pile of digital receipts and forms, and a pro does the whole thing. For 2026, they’re running a $150 special for new users (if filed by Feb 28), which is actually cheaper than some local CPAs.
Specific Scenarios: Which one is actually yours?
Don’t just click the most expensive one because it sounds "safer."
The Gig Worker (Uber, DoorDash, Etsy): You need Premium. You have to file a Schedule C to deduct your mileage and supplies. Don't try to squeeze into Deluxe; it won't give you the business expense forms you need to lower your tax bill.
The Retiree: If you’re over 65, look for the Form 1040-SR option within the software. It has a higher standard deduction. You can usually get away with Deluxe unless you’re selling off a lot of stocks to fund your retirement, in which case, back to Premium you go.
The "No Tax on Tips" Earner: This is new! If you made under $150,000 and earned tips, there’s a new deduction for up to $25,000 in tip income. TurboTax updated their "Expert Assist" to guide people through this specifically. If your tips are a huge part of your income, having an expert look at this might actually pay for itself in tax savings.
Desktop vs. Online: The Secret Money Saver
Most people use the website (Online), but the Desktop Download version is often a better deal.
Why? Because the Desktop version (Deluxe or Premier) allows you to file multiple returns. If you’re doing taxes for yourself, your spouse’s separate return, and maybe your college kid, one Desktop purchase covers them all. The Online version charges you per person.
Also, the Desktop version includes five federal e-files. Just keep in mind that state e-filing usually costs extra ($25-ish) even on the desktop versions, unless you live in a state with no income tax.
Don't ignore the new "Car Loan Interest" rule
One weird thing for 2025 taxes is the "No Tax on Car Loan Interest." You can deduct up to $10,000 in interest if the car was assembled in the U.S. and used for personal use.
This is a "below-the-line" deduction. To get it, you usually need at least the Deluxe version. If you bought a new Ford or Tesla last year, check your interest statements. It’s a niche deduction, but it’s one of those "surprises" the 2026 tax season has in store.
Actionable Steps for Today
Stop guessing and do these three things:
- Check your 1099s: If you have a 1099-B (investments) or 1099-NEC (contract work), skip the Free and Deluxe options. Go straight to Premium.
- Add up your SALT: If your property taxes and state income tax combined are over $15,000, you are almost certainly itemizing this year. You’ll need Deluxe at a minimum.
- Check for "New Filer" promos: Since the tax laws changed so much, TurboTax is aggressive with "Full Service" pricing right now. If your return is a mess of crypto and rental properties, that $150 Full Service offer is a steal compared to the $120 you'd pay just to do it yourself in the Premium tier.
Take ten minutes to gather your forms before you log in. The software is designed to "up-level" you as you go, so knowing you definitely need the Premium version from the start can save you the frustration of being stopped halfway through.