How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Taxes Done? (Price Guide)

The price of getting your taxes done depends first on who does them. You can file yourself with free or paid software, add a review from a tax professional, hand the return to a preparer, or hire a certified public accountant. Each route has its own pricing, and the return itself matters as much as the person preparing it. A single W-2 filer and a self-employed filer with rental income are very different jobs.

The numbers below come from published cost guides, a preparer survey, and software price pages, last checked on Oct 13, 2026. They are national figures and do not include state-specific fees unless a row says so.

Preparers charge in two main ways: an hourly rate or a fee for each form. Hourly rates rise with the credential.

A preparer at a tax-prep company is listed at $100 – $175/hr. Tax accountants, certified financial planners, and enrolled agents are listed at $125 – $250/hr, and CPAs and tax attorneys at $200 – $400/hr. Enrolled agents and CPAs can also represent you before the IRS, which can matter if your return is questioned. A licensed tax professional can tell you which credential fits your situation.

Many preparers set a fee for each form instead of charging by the hour. Yelp lists common ones.

A basic Form 1040 with no state return and no itemized deductions is listed at $130 – $190. Adding a state return and itemized deductions raises it to $180 – $280. Schedule C, the form used to report business income or loss, is listed at $170 – $200. Employers who file their own payroll forms pay less per form, with Form 941 at $75 – $100 and Form 940 at $60 – $90.

A Drake Software survey of tax preparers, cited by NerdWallet, asked professionals what they expected to charge for the 2024 tax year.

The average expected fee was $251 for a nonitemized Form 1040 and $298 for an itemized one. Those numbers sit inside the broader range quoted by Yelp, which is a useful cross-check.

Software is the lower-cost route for straightforward returns. Prices below are federal return prices, and state returns usually cost extra. Free editions exist for simple returns, and eligibility rules vary by provider.

H&R Block's Deluxe edition is listed at $65, Premium at $105, and Self-Employed at $130. If you are eligible for the free edition, you can add a tax pro review of your return for $55. TurboTax's lowest edition with expert help, Expert Assist Deluxe, is listed at $129 for the federal return.

Software prices are published list prices. Promotions, discounts, and add-ons change what you actually pay, and providers may adjust prices during the season.

The sources below report different numbers because they measure different things.

Yelp gives a range of $150 – $350 for preparing and filing a return, based on quotes from businesses. NerdWallet cites a single survey figure of $251 for a nonitemized return. A range captures simple and complex returns together, while a single survey average describes one return type.

• Return complexity. Itemized deductions, self-employment income, rental property, and investments add forms and time.
• Number of returns. A state return, or returns for more than one state, adds to the bill.
• Who prepares it. A chain preparer, an enrolled agent, and a CPA price their work differently.
• Pricing method. An hourly rate, a fee per form, and a flat package can produce different totals for the same return.
• Location. Fees tend to be higher in large metro areas.
• Timing. Filing during the busiest weeks can limit availability, and filing late or amending a return may cost extra.
• Your records. Organized paperwork takes less time to process.

• Is the quote a flat fee or an hourly rate, and what does it include?
• Is the state return included?
• Does the preparer sign the return and hold a valid IRS preparer tax identification number?
• What is the fee if I get an IRS notice after filing?
• Will the preparer handle an amended return, and what does that cost?

Avoid anyone who bases their fee on the size of your refund. NerdWallet warns that this is a sign you may not be working with a trustworthy professional.

Collect your forms before your appointment, such as W-2s, 1099s, and records of deductions, so the preparer spends less time on them. If your return is simple, compare software with a preparer quote before you decide. Some filers use software and pay for a professional review only if they have questions. Check whether you qualify for free filing options offered through the IRS or your provider. A licensed tax professional can help you decide which route fits your return.