Taxes can feel like a labyrinth, especially when you're filing as a married couple. One of the most common questions that comes up is, "How much does TurboTax cost for married filing jointly?" It's not a straightforward answer, as the price depends on several factors, including the complexity of your tax situation and the level of service you choose.
Let's embark on this journey together to understand the ins and outs of TurboTax pricing for married couples filing jointly. By the end of this guide, you'll have a much clearer picture of what to expect.
Step 1: Identify Your Tax Complexity (Are You a Simple Filer or Do You Have More to Report?)
Before we dive into the specific TurboTax products, let's figure out what kind of tax situation you and your spouse have. This is the most crucial step in determining your TurboTax cost. Don't worry, we'll break it down easily.
Ask yourselves these questions:
Do you only have W-2 income? (Meaning you both work for employers who give you a W-2 form at the end of the year.)
Do you plan to take the standard deduction? (Most taxpayers do, as it's often more beneficial than itemizing.)
Do you have limited interest and dividend income (reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV)?
Are you claiming only the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC)?
If you answered "Yes" to all of these questions, congratulations! You likely have a relatively simple tax situation. This means you might qualify for TurboTax's Free Edition, or at least one of their lower-cost options.
However, if you answered "No" to any of these, or if any of the following apply to you, your tax situation is considered more complex:
You own a home and plan to itemize deductions (e.g., mortgage interest, property taxes).
You have investment income (e.g., stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, capital gains/losses).
You have rental property income or expenses.
You are self-employed, a freelancer, or a gig worker (meaning you receive 1099-NEC or 1099-K forms).
You have business expenses or a home office deduction.
You need to report employee stock plans.
You need to file additional schedules beyond the basic Form 1040.
Understanding your tax complexity upfront will help you avoid choosing a product that doesn't meet your needs or, worse, paying for features you don't require.
Step 2: Explore TurboTax Product Tiers and Their Costs (for the 2024 Tax Year, Filing in 2025)
TurboTax generally offers several product tiers, each designed for different levels of tax complexity. Keep in mind that prices can vary throughout the tax season and may change for future tax years. The prices listed here are estimates for the 2024 tax year, filed in 2025, based on current information. State filing fees are almost always additional.
2.1. TurboTax Free Edition
Who it's for: Married couples with simple tax situations as described above (W-2 income, standard deduction, limited interest/dividends, EITC/CTC only).
Cost: FREE for federal filing. State filing may or may not be free, depending on your state and specific circumstances.
What it covers: Basic Form 1040, limited credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit.
Important Note: While it's called "Free Edition," it has limitations. If your tax situation becomes even slightly more complicated (e.g., itemizing, self-employment income), you'll likely need to upgrade.
2.2. TurboTax Deluxe
Who it's for: Married couples who need to itemize deductions (e.g., mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable contributions, medical expenses). It also handles W-2 income and unemployment income.
Estimated Federal Cost: ~$69 - $89
Estimated State Cost: ~$59 - $64 per state
Key Features:
Maximizes deductions and credits, especially for homeowners.
Imports mortgage and investment information from participating companies and W-2s.
Includes "ItsDeductible" for tracking charitable donations.
Covers Schedules A, B, and other common forms needed for itemizing.
Consider this if: You own a home, have significant medical expenses, or make substantial charitable contributions.
2.3. TurboTax Premium (formerly Premier/Self-Employed)
Who it's for: Married couples with investments, rental property income, or self-employment income (freelancers, contractors, small business owners). This is a comprehensive option for more complex financial situations.
Estimated Federal Cost: ~$129 - $149
Estimated State Cost: ~$59 - $64 per state
Key Features:
Includes all features of Deluxe.
Handles investment income (stocks, bonds, ESPPs, cryptocurrency, Schedule D, Form 8949).
Provides guidance for rental property expenses and deductions (Schedule E).
Offers features specifically for freelancers and self-employed individuals (Schedule C, home office deductions, mileage, and vehicle deductions).
Can snap and auto-fill 1099-NEC or 1099-K forms.
Consider this if: One or both spouses have significant investment activity, own rental properties, or run their own business/freelance.
2.4. TurboTax Live Assisted (and Full Service)
Beyond the "Do-It-Yourself" software, TurboTax offers options with direct access to tax experts. These come at a higher price point.
TurboTax Live Assisted: You prepare your return, but you get unlimited help from a tax expert as you go, and an expert reviews your return before you file.
Estimated Cost (Federal): Starts at ~$89 for simple returns, up to ~$219 for Premium Live Assisted (plus state fees).
TurboTax Live Full Service: An expert does your taxes for you from start to finish. You simply upload your documents, and they handle the rest.
Estimated Cost (Federal): Starts at ~$129, going significantly higher depending on complexity (plus state fees).
Consider these if: You want the peace of mind of having an expert review your return, or if your tax situation is complex enough that you prefer a professional to handle it entirely. The cost here for married filing jointly would be the same as for a single filer, as the fee is based on the complexity of the return and the level of service, not the filing status itself.
Step 3: Understanding the Nuances of "Married Filing Jointly" and Cost
It's important to clarify a common misconception: the filing status "Married Filing Jointly" itself does not inherently change the cost of TurboTax.
One Return, One Fee: When you file jointly, you and your spouse combine all your income, deductions, and credits onto one single tax return. Therefore, you only need to purchase one TurboTax product (whether it's Free, Deluxe, Premium, or a Live option) to prepare this combined return.
Complexity Drives Cost: The price you pay is determined by the total complexity of that combined return. If one spouse has self-employment income and the other has investments, you'll likely need the TurboTax Premium version, regardless of whether you file jointly or separately.
State Filing is Extra: As mentioned, state filing fees are almost always an additional charge per state. If you live in a state with income tax, you'll pay an additional fee for that state's return.
3.1. Why Married Filing Jointly is Often Preferred
For most couples, filing jointly offers significant tax advantages:
Higher Standard Deduction: For the 2024 tax year, the standard deduction for Married Filing Jointly is $29,200. This is double the $14,600 for single filers, making it a powerful deduction for many.
Access to More Credits: Joint filers are eligible for various tax credits that might be limited or unavailable to those filing separately, such as education credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
Lower Tax Brackets (often): Combining incomes can sometimes pull some of the higher earner's income into a lower tax bracket, resulting in a "marriage bonus" (though sometimes there can be a "marriage penalty" for high-income couples with similar incomes).
3.2. When Married Filing Separately Might Be Considered (and its TurboTax Implication)
While less common, some couples might consider "Married Filing Separately" if:
One spouse has significant medical expenses: If one spouse's medical expenses exceed 7.5% of their individual adjusted gross income (AGI), but not 7.5% of their joint AGI, filing separately might allow them to claim the deduction.
One spouse has unaddressed tax liabilities: If one spouse has a large tax bill or owes back taxes/child support, filing separately can protect the other spouse's refund from being offset.
Trust issues or separation: If a couple is separated or going through a divorce, they might choose to file separately to avoid joint liability for taxes.
TurboTax Implication for MFS: If you choose to file "Married Filing Separately," you will need to prepare two separate tax returns. This means you would effectively pay for two TurboTax filings (two federal fees and two state fees, if applicable), as each return is a distinct entity.
Step 4: Getting Started with TurboTax for Joint Filing
Once you've decided which TurboTax product fits your needs, the process of filing jointly is generally quite straightforward.
4.1. Creating Your Account and Starting Your Return
Choose Your Platform: Decide whether you'll use TurboTax Online (web-based), the TurboTax mobile app, or TurboTax CD/Download software. Online and mobile offer flexibility, while desktop software allows offline access and local data storage.
Create/Log In: If you're a new user, you'll create an account. If you've used TurboTax before, you'll log in.
Start a New Return: Begin a new tax return for the appropriate tax year (e.g., 2024 for filing in 2025).
Select Your Filing Status: This is where you indicate "Married Filing Jointly." TurboTax will then prompt you to enter information for both spouses.
4.2. Entering Your Information (Both Spouses)
Personal Information: You'll enter personal details for both you and your spouse, including names, Social Security Numbers, and dates of birth. The first name you enter will be the "primary" taxpayer, and it's best to keep this order consistent for future joint filings.
Income: This is where you'll input all income for both spouses. TurboTax is designed to handle this seamlessly. When you add a W-2, 1099, or other income document, it will typically ask which spouse the income belongs to, or provide separate fields for each spouse's income. You do not need separate accounts for each spouse; all income goes on the single joint return.
Tip: Take advantage of TurboTax's ability to import W-2s and 1099s directly from participating employers and financial institutions. This saves time and reduces errors.
Deductions and Credits: Input all eligible deductions and credits for both spouses. TurboTax will guide you through this, asking questions to help you uncover potential tax breaks. This is where the specific product you chose (Deluxe, Premium) will shine, as it will unlock access to more complex deductions.
4.3. Review and File
Review: Before filing, TurboTax will conduct a "CompleteCheck" scan to ensure accuracy and look for any missed deductions or errors. Take your time to review everything carefully.
Payment: At this stage, you'll be presented with the final cost of your TurboTax product (federal + state). You can typically pay by credit card. If you opt for "Refund Processing Service," an additional fee is usually charged to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund.
E-File or Print: Once satisfied, you can electronically file your return directly with the IRS and your state (if applicable) or print it out and mail it. E-filing is generally faster and more secure.
Step 5: Managing Your TurboTax Account for Future Years
Consistent Account: For married filing jointly, it's highly recommended to stick with one TurboTax account for all your joint filings in subsequent years. This allows for easy transfer of prior year data, which saves a tremendous amount of time.
Data Transfer: TurboTax allows you to import your prior year's tax data, which pre-fills much of your personal and basic income information, making the process much smoother year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to TurboTax and married filing jointly, with quick answers:
How to determine which TurboTax product I need for married filing jointly?
Evaluate your combined tax situation. If you only have W-2 income and take the standard deduction, Free Edition might work. If you itemize, consider Deluxe. If you have investments, rental property, or self-employment income, you'll likely need Premium.
How to combine our incomes on TurboTax for married filing jointly?
When you select "Married Filing Jointly" as your filing status, TurboTax will automatically guide you to enter all income for both spouses on the same single return. There will be prompts or dedicated sections for each spouse's income.
How to ensure I'm getting the best price on TurboTax for joint filing?
File early in the tax season for potential discounts. Also, compare online prices with desktop software prices, as retailers sometimes offer bundles or limited-time deals. Avoid unnecessary upgrades if your tax situation doesn't require advanced features.
How to avoid extra fees when paying for TurboTax?
Pay for your TurboTax product directly with a credit card. Choosing the "Refund Processing Service" (where fees are deducted from your refund) often incurs an additional processing fee.
How to file if one spouse has a W-2 and the other is self-employed?
You will need a TurboTax product that supports self-employment income, such as TurboTax Premium (or formerly Home & Business). All income from both spouses will be combined on one joint return.
How to switch from filing separately to jointly in TurboTax?
If you've started separate returns, you'll need to choose one return to continue with and change the filing status to "Married Filing Jointly." Then, manually add the other spouse's income and deduction information to that single return. You cannot merge two separate TurboTax accounts.
How to get a state return with TurboTax for married filing jointly?
Once you complete your federal return, TurboTax will prompt you to prepare your state return. State filing is typically an additional fee per state, regardless of your federal product.
How to know if filing jointly is better than filing separately?
For most couples, filing jointly offers tax advantages like a higher standard deduction and eligibility for more credits. TurboTax can sometimes help you compare the outcomes of both filing statuses, or you can use a tax calculator. Generally, if one spouse has significantly more income, joint filing is beneficial.
How to get tax expert help with TurboTax if we file jointly?
You can upgrade to TurboTax Live Assisted for unlimited expert help and a final review, or TurboTax Live Full Service if you want an expert to prepare your entire return. The cost will depend on the product tier (Deluxe, Premium) and the level of Live service you choose.
How to claim dependents on a married filing jointly return in TurboTax?
When you're entering your personal information, TurboTax will ask about dependents. You'll input all dependent information on your single joint return, as they are claimed by the household, not by individual spouses.
