No tax website calculates a bigger refund than another
The tax software you choose—TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, or any other—will not give you a larger refund than a different one. They all work from the same tax code. If you enter the same income, deductions, and credits into TurboTax and into H&R Block, you get the same refund amount from both.
What changes between tax websites is not the refund itself, but what you pay to file, how much hand-holding you get, and whether you catch deductions you might otherwise miss. A website that asks better questions or flags overlooked credits might help you find money you didn't know you had—but that money was always yours. The software didn't create it.
The real question is not which website gives the biggest refund, but which one helps you claim everything you're may have access to to claim, and which one costs the least to do it.
Key Takeaways
- All tax software calculates refunds using the same IRS rules, so the dollar amount will be identical across platforms if you enter the same information.
- The difference between websites is cost, user interface, and how thoroughly they prompt you for deductions and credits you might otherwise overlook.
- Free versions of commercial software (TurboTax Free, H&R Block Free) have income limits and exclude certain forms, so check whether your return qualifies before starting.
- The IRS Free File program offers free filing through partner software if your income is below a threshold, currently around $79,000 for most filers.
- A website that asks more questions about your situation may help you discover deductions you didn't know existed, which increases your refund—but the software itself doesn't create money.
What actually changes your refund amount
Your refund is determined by how much tax you owe minus how much you already paid through withholding or estimated payments. The only way to change that number is to change one of those inputs: claim a deduction you didn't claim before, report income you didn't report, adjust your withholding, or claim a credit you missed.
Tax software can help you find these things, but it cannot invent them. If you have a dependent, a home office, student loan interest, or charitable donations, those deductions exist whether TurboTax asks about them or not. A website with a thorough interview process will prompt you to think about these categories. A simpler website might not. That difference in prompting can mean you leave money on the table—but the money itself comes from the tax code, not from the software.
The most common missed deductions are the standard deduction itself (many people don't realize they can claim it), dependent exemptions, education credits, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if you have low to moderate income. If a website's interview process is weak, you might not claim these even though you should.
Free filing options and their real limits
The IRS Free File program partners with commercial tax software companies to offer free federal filing to people whose income falls below a certain threshold. That threshold changes yearly; for the 2024 tax year it was around $79,000 for most filers. If you may have access to, you can file federal taxes for free through one of these partner sites: TurboTax Free Edition, H&R Block Free, TaxAct Free, and others.
The catch is that "free" applies only to straightforward returns. If you have self-employment income, rental property, stock sales, or certain other forms, the free version may not support your return, and you'll be pushed to a paid tier. Read the may be able to access rules for the specific software before you start—the IRS Free File website lists which forms each partner supports.
If your income is above the Free File threshold, you can still file for free using IRS Free File Fillable Forms, which is the IRS's own web-based tool. It has no income limit and no restrictions on form types, but it offers no guidance or error-checking. You fill in the forms yourself, which works well if you know what you're doing and poorly if you don't.
Why some websites seem to give bigger refunds
If you've heard that one website gave you a bigger refund than another, the difference almost always comes from something you entered differently, not from the software itself. Common reasons include:
- You claimed a deduction on one return that you didn't claim on the other (or vice versa).
- You reported income differently—for example, forgetting to include a 1099 form on one attempt.
- You chose to itemize deductions on one return and take the standard deduction on the other.
- One website's interview process asked about a credit or deduction the other didn't mention, so you remembered to claim it.
- You made a data entry error on one return that you corrected on the other.
The software itself is neutral. It calculates based on what you tell it. If two returns show different refunds, look at what you entered differently, not at which website you used.
How to find deductions you might be missing
If you want to maximize your refund, the strategy is not to switch websites but to be thorough about what you claim. Here are the categories most people overlook:
Education expenses: American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, student loan interest deduction, and tuition and fees deduction. These are different credits with different rules, and you can only claim one per student per year.
Work-related costs: If you work from home, you can deduct a portion of rent, utilities, and internet. If you're self-employed, you can deduct office supplies, equipment, and a portion of your home. If you're an employee, unreimbursed work expenses are generally not deductible under current law, but check whether your employer offers a dependent care FSA or health savings account, which reduce your taxable income.
Charitable giving: Cash donations, used clothing, household goods, and vehicle donations are all deductible if you itemize. You need receipts or written acknowledgment from the charity.
Medical expenses: If your medical costs exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, you can deduct the amount above that threshold. This includes insurance premiums, prescriptions, dental work, and some travel for medical treatment.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): If you have low to moderate income and work, you may be may have access to to this credit even if you don't owe tax. It can result in a refund larger than your withholding. Many people don't claim it because they don't know it exists.
A website with a detailed interview process will ask about most of these. A simpler one might not. That's the real difference between platforms.
Comparing cost across platforms
If your return is straightforward enough to may have access to for free filing, cost is zero and the choice comes down to user experience. If you need to pay, prices vary:
| Platform | Federal Filing Cost (straightforward Return) | State Filing Cost | Free Option Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax Free Edition | Free (income limit applies) | Paid separately | Yes, if income under ~$79,000 |
| H&R Block Free | Free (income limit applies) | Paid separately | Yes, if income under ~$79,000 |
| TaxAct Free | Free (income limit applies) | Paid separately | Yes, if income under ~$79,000 |
| FreeTaxUSA | Free | Free | Yes, no income limit |
| IRS Free File Fillable Forms | Free | Free | Yes, no income limit, no guidance |
FreeTaxUSA and IRS Free File Fillable Forms have no income limits and no state filing fees, which makes them the cheapest options if you may have access to. The trade-off is that FreeTaxUSA has a simpler interview process than TurboTax or H&R Block, and Fillable Forms has no interview at all—you're on your own.
When to use a paid version or a tax professional
If your return includes self-employment income, rental property, investment sales, or multiple states, the free versions of most commercial software will push you to a paid tier. At that point, you're paying $60 to $200+ depending on complexity and which software you choose.
If you're uncertain whether you should itemize or take the standard deduction, or if you have significant deductions to track, a tax professional (CPA or enrolled agent) may cost $200 to $500 but can save you more than that by catching things you'd miss. This is especially true if you're self-employed or have investment income.
The software you choose will not change your refund. What changes it is being thorough about what you claim and making sure you don't leave deductions or credits on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file with multiple tax websites to see which gives me the biggest refund?
You can, but you'll get the same refund from each one if you enter the same information. If the refunds differ, look at what you entered differently—not at which website you used. Only file your actual return with one platform; filing multiple returns with the IRS is considered fraud.
Does TurboTax really give bigger refunds than H&R Block?
No. Both use the same tax code and calculate the same refund for the same inputs. TurboTax has a more detailed interview process, which may help you remember deductions you'd otherwise miss—but that's a difference in prompting, not in calculation.
What if I use a free website and miss a deduction—can I file again?
Yes. If you realize you missed something after filing, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. You have three years from the original due date to amend. The amended return will recalculate your refund based on the corrected information.
Is the IRS Free File program really free, or are there hidden costs?
Federal filing is free if you may have access to by income. State filing is usually separate and may cost $15 to $30 depending on the state and the software. Read the terms for the specific software before you start to confirm what's included.
Should I pay for TurboTax Premium if I want a bigger refund?
Premium versions offer more detailed guidance and support for complex situations, but they don't calculate a larger refund than the basic version if your return is straightforward. Pay for premium only if your return actually needs the features it offers—self-employment, rental property, investment income, or if you want phone support.