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Top 9 AI Tools for Accounting and Tax Professionals in 2026: Ranked by What Actually Saves You Hours
Sep 13, 2026 · 18 min read
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Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist
Guided tax filing software with AI answers and optional help from tax experts
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Pricing
Freemium
Company
Intuit Inc.United States
Platforms
Web
What is Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist?
Intuit TurboTax is online tax filing software that walks individuals through preparing and filing federal and state returns. Its Do It Yourself editions include Intuit Assist, an AI feature that answers tax questions as you work through the return.
Filers can import or upload tax documents, or photograph them, and the software fills in the fields. CompleteCheck scans the return for errors before filing. Customers who want help can choose Expert Assist, which adds on-demand advice and a final review from Intuit tax experts. Expert Full Service hands the whole return to a dedicated expert.
A Free Edition covers simple Form 1040 returns. Paid tiers add itemized deductions, investments, rental income and self-employment. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs can also sign up for Expert 365 Business, a monthly service with quarterly bookkeeping and advisory sessions.
Key features
- Step-by-step guided federal and state tax filing
- Intuit Assist AI answers tax questions while you file
- Import, upload or photograph documents to auto-fill fields
- CompleteCheck scans the return for errors
- On-demand advice and final review from tax experts
- Full-service option where an expert files for you
- Monthly bookkeeping and advisory service for sole proprietors
Use cases
Who it's for
Individual taxpayersW-2 employeesSelf-employed workersSole proprietors and single-member LLCs
Filing a simple return for free
W-2 earners with a simple Form 1040 can file federal and state returns at no cost with the Free Edition.
Getting tax questions answered while filing
DIY filers can ask Intuit Assist questions as they go, without leaving the return.
Getting an expert review before filing
Expert Assist adds unlimited expert advice and a final review before the return is submitted.
Year-round small business tax support
Sole proprietors can use Expert 365 Business for quarterly bookkeeping, advisory sessions and expert reviews.
Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Free Edition
per return
$0 Federal + $0 State + $0 To File
- Simple Form 1040 returns only
- W-2 income, standard deduction, EITC, CTC
- Excludes itemized deductions, self-employment, investments, rental income
Do It Yourself
per return
$0-$139
- Step-by-step guided filing
- Intuit Assist AI answers
- CompleteCheck error scanning
Expert Assist
per return
$59-$209
- Unlimited on-demand expert advice
- Final expert review before filing
Expert Full Service
per return
Starting at $129
- Dedicated expert prepares and files
- $129 starting price includes one W-2 and one 1040
Expert 365 Business
month
$61/mo
- Quarterly bookkeeping and advisory sessions
- Requires QuickBooks Simple Start at $38/mo, sold separately
- Sole props and single-member LLCs only
How Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist compares
- Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist has a free plan; none of the 4 alternatives below do.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIntuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist | — | — | — | — | ||
P Pilot | $99/mo | — | — | — | Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist vs Pilot | |
T Thomson Reuters Checkpoint Edge | Quote | — | — | — | Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist vs Thomson Reuters Checkpoint Edge | |
| B | Quote | — | — | — | — | Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist vs Bloomberg Tax |
C CPA Pilot | $29/mo | — | — | — | Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist vs CPA Pilot |
Compare 5 capabilities
| Capability | Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist | Pilot | CPA Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill pay | — | — | |
| QuickBooks/Xero sync | — | — | |
| Reconciliation | — | — | |
| Forecasting | — | ||
| Human experts included |
Capabilities as stated on each vendor's own site; — means the site doesn't say. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Free Edition covers simple Form 1040 returns at $0 federal and state
- Intuit Assist AI is included in Do It Yourself editions
- Users can upgrade to human tax expert help or full service
- Documents can be imported or photographed and auto-filled
Limitations
- Free Edition excludes itemized deductions, self-employment, investment and rental income
- Help and Support is not included in the Free Edition
- Expert 365 Business needs QuickBooks Simple Start ($38/mo), sold separately
- Expert 365 Business is not available to C-Corps, S-Corps or partnerships
Intuit TurboTax / Intuit Assist FAQ
Is TurboTax free?
The Free Edition costs $0 federal, $0 state and $0 to file, but it only covers simple Form 1040 returns. TurboTax says roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify.
How much do paid editions cost?
Do It Yourself costs $0-$139, Expert Assist $59-$209, and Expert Full Service starts at $129 per return.
What is Intuit Assist?
Intuit Assist is an AI feature in the Do It Yourself editions. It gives instant answers to tax questions while you file.
Is there an option for small businesses?
Yes. Expert 365 Business costs $61/mo plus QuickBooks Simple Start at $38/mo. It is only for sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs.
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