Tax Preparation Cost Calculator
Estimate tax prep cost by return complexity and filing method (DIY, CPA, enrolled agent).
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications
Estimated Cost
$375.00-$575.00
Mid Estimate
$475.00
Cost Details
| Federal return | $300.00-$500.00 |
| State returns (1) | +$75.00 |
| Total estimate | $375.00-$575.00 |
Use the Tax Preparation Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
What you pay to file your 2026 return depends mostly on two things: how complicated your finances are and who actually does the work. Sorting out that cost ahead of time makes it easier to plan and to weigh a do-it-yourself approach against hiring an Enrolled Agent or a CPA.
The ranges are the calculator's own planning assumptions, not survey data: for the federal return, DIY software runs from $0 for a simple W-2 return to $150 for a business return, an Enrolled Agent from $150 to $1,000, and a CPA from $200 to $1,500. You pick one return type (simple W-2, itemized, self-employed, rental property or business) rather than adding schedules one by one, and each state return adds $30 with software, $50 with an Enrolled Agent or $75 with a CPA.
Pulling your paperwork together before you begin keeps you from paying for amendments or rushed filing later. Many filers also misjudge how tangled their own return really is and either get surprised by the bill or make errors going it alone. The cost of filing is only part of the picture; sound professional advice can be worth more than the fee itself.
Example: A small business owner with rental property income
- 1 Step 1: Choose CPA as the filing method, Business as the return complexity (the calculator takes one return type, and Business is its top tier) and 1 state return.
- 2 Step 2: The calculator's CPA range for a business return is $1,000 to $1,500 for the federal return, and the state return adds $75.
- 3 Step 3: The estimate is $1,075 to $1,575, with a mid-point of $1,325.
- 4 Step 4: The same return with an Enrolled Agent comes to $550 to $1,050 (mid-point $800), and with DIY software $130 to $180. These are planning ranges; ask a preparer for a quote once they have seen your documents.
Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CPA charge to prepare taxes?
Is it worth paying someone to do your taxes?
What is the cheapest way to file taxes?
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