Stop Overpaying for Tax Software: How to Cancel TurboTax, H&R Block & Switch to Free

Updated February 2026 · 8 min read

💸 The average American pays $220 for tax preparation — but most people can file for free.

It's tax season, and millions of people are about to pay $50-200+ for tax software they don't need. TurboTax alone makes $4.7 billion per year — largely by convincing people that free filing is too complicated.

Here's the truth: most people can file their taxes completely free. And if you're stuck in a TurboTax or H&R Block subscription, here's exactly how to cancel and switch.

The Tax Software Subscription Trap

Tax software companies have gotten sneaky with subscriptions:

TurboTax Live ($89-219/year) — auto-renews annually. Many people sign up for one year of "expert help" and forget it renews.
TurboTax+ ($59-99/year) — year-round "tax planning" subscription that most people never use between April and January.
H&R Block Tax Identity Shield ($35/year) — auto-renewing identity monitoring that duplicates what your credit card already offers free.
TaxAct+ ($55/year) — premium support subscription that auto-renews.

⚠️ The Classic TurboTax Trick

TurboTax's "Free" tier only covers the simplest returns (W-2 income, no deductions). The moment you have student loan interest, freelance income, or even a side gig, you're bumped to Deluxe ($69+). Meanwhile, FreeTaxUSA handles ALL of that for free.

How to Cancel Each Tax Software

Cancel TurboTax Live / TurboTax+

Go to myturbotax.intuit.com
Click Intuit Account → Subscriptions
Find TurboTax Live or TurboTax+ → Cancel
Confirm cancellation (they'll offer discounts — decline)

→ Full TurboTax cancellation guide

Cancel H&R Block Tax Identity Shield

Go to hrblock.com → My Account
Navigate to Subscriptions
Find Tax Identity Shield → Cancel
Or call 1-800-472-5625

→ Full H&R Block cancellation guide

Cancel TaxAct+

Go to taxact.com → My Account
Find your subscription → Cancel
Or call 1-319-373-3600

→ Full TaxAct cancellation guide

Free Alternatives That Actually Work

🏆 Best Free Options (Ranked)

1. IRS Free File (income under $84K)

Completely free federal + state filing through IRS-approved partners. Covers most tax situations. Go to irs.gov/freefile.

2. FreeTaxUSA (any income)

Free federal filing for ALL income levels and situations — investments, rental income, self-employment. State filing $14.99. Best overall value.

3. Cash App Taxes (any income)

100% free federal and state. Handles most situations. Slightly less polish than FreeTaxUSA but completely free.

4. TaxSlayer Simply Free

Free for simple returns (W-2, standard deduction). Classic tier is only $23 for more complex situations — still much cheaper than TurboTax.

5. IRS Direct File (expanding)

The IRS's own free filing system. Currently available in 25 states for simpler returns. Expanding every year.

Cost Comparison: What You're Actually Paying

ServiceCost (Federal + State)

TurboTax Deluxe$69 + $59 = $128

TurboTax Live Deluxe$139 + $64 = $203

H&R Block Deluxe$55 + $37 = $92

TaxAct Deluxe$50 + $55 = $105

TaxSlayer Classic$23 + $40 = $63

FreeTaxUSA$0 + $15 = $15

Cash App Taxes$0 + $0 = FREE

IRS Free File$0 + $0 = FREE

💡 The Math

If you've used TurboTax Deluxe for the past 5 years, you've paid roughly $640 total. Switching to FreeTaxUSA would have cost $75. That's $565 saved for doing the same tax return with the same IRS forms.

When You Actually Need Paid Tax Software

To be fair, some situations genuinely benefit from paid software:

Complex business returns (S-Corp, partnership K-1s, multiple states)
First-time filers with anxiety who want live human help (consider a local CPA instead — often similar cost with better service)
Audit support — though the audit rate for income under $200K is only 0.4%

For 80%+ of filers? FreeTaxUSA or IRS Free File handles everything. Same forms, same math, same refund — just without the $100+ price tag.

Download Your Past Returns First

Before switching, download your prior-year returns from your current service:

TurboTax: myturbotax.intuit.com → Tax Documents → Download PDF
H&R Block: hrblock.com → My Account → Prior Year Returns
TaxAct: taxact.com → My Account → Prior Year Returns
IRS: irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript (free copies of any filed return)

Find Hidden Tax-Related Subscriptions

Tax software isn't the only subscription draining your wallet. Upload your bank statement to JustCancel and we'll find every recurring charge — including ones you've forgotten about.

🔍 Find Every Subscription on Your Statement

The average person saves $273/year by finding and canceling forgotten subscriptions.

Upload Your Statement — $5 One-Time

More Cancel Guides

FAQ

Is TurboTax a subscription?

TurboTax itself charges per filing, but TurboTax Live ($89-219) and TurboTax+ ($59-99) are recurring annual subscriptions that auto-renew. Many people don't realize they signed up for the subscription tier.

Can I really file my taxes for free?

Yes. IRS Free File (income under $84K), FreeTaxUSA (free federal for all income levels), and Cash App Taxes (completely free) handle most tax situations. TurboTax's free tier is intentionally limited to push you to paid tiers.

Will I lose my past tax returns if I cancel?

No. Download your prior-year returns as PDFs before canceling. Most services let you access past returns for at least 3-7 years. The IRS also has copies — request transcripts at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.

When is the best time to cancel tax software?

Right after you file. Tax software often auto-renews 30-60 days before the next tax season. Cancel immediately after filing to avoid next year's charge, then reassess your options when tax season comes around.

Is FreeTaxUSA actually good?

Yes. FreeTaxUSA handles investments, rental income, self-employment, HSAs, and itemized deductions — all for free (federal). It's the same IRS forms as TurboTax. State filing costs $14.99. It's been around since 2001.