Our least favorite tax program

1040Now – Is it free?

1040Now is not free for any user. 1040Now lets users “start their tax return” for free, as do most competitors. When it’s time to file, you must pay the same fee regardless of which tax forms you need. The cost for 2026 is $29.95 for federal filing and $24.95 for each state.

What’s new in 2026?

Note: Prices have increased, but the user experience has not improved

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1040Now has implemented IRS changes to tax brackets, deductions and credit limits, as well as other tax changes related to inflation and pandemics. As a result, you should get the same result (within a few dollars) as any other tax software.

Shockingly, even though there haven’t been major improvements to the site, prices have gone up this year. You’ll now pay more for the same ’90s-style website interface.

For returning users, this means you’ll still need to deal with a verbal interface, nested form entries, and full articles that don’t contain a lot of information. The site looks like it’s 1996, and the tax filing software isn’t much better.

If you’re old enough to remember Netscape, you’ll understand the look and feel of those old Internet days. You may find yourself reminiscing, but that’s not what you want when doing your taxes.

We haven’t spent the time doing a video review of the 1040NOW in the past two years because our tests were so poor, and nothing has been updated. If you want a sneak peek at what the software looks like, watch this review video:

No, 1040Now is frustratingly difficult to use. It lacks an interactive format that allows bloggers to skip irrelevant sections. Knowing what’s next is always a challenge.

1040Now has fast timeout windows for session expiration. You will be logged out if you pause for just a few minutes. You’ll have to re-enter my username and password and click through several screens to get back where you left off.

Additionally, the cumbersome commute and crowded models haven’t improved in years. You can even think normally Fillable IRS forms online Click this program. The 1040Now may be accurate, but it’s frustrating and challenging to use.

1040Now has a lackluster user experience, so we had to branch out to find the positive aspects of the program. Here’s what we found.

All users pay $29.95 for the federal filing and $24.95 for each state. It’s easy to understand, and there are no surprises.

Filers who need to file in multiple states can use 1040Now to file in all their states. Some competitors handle only one state per year.

1040Now includes section summaries that help users identify key income, debit, or credit issues. This makes it easier to find errors and investigate inconsistencies before moving on to new sections.

1040Now is the most difficult-to-use program we’ve reviewed. The app is overrun with jargon and confusing menus. These are some of the worst features.

1040Now is difficult to use, and the software is confusing. Users must read the directions to know where to click before new screens with more directions appear. It will take you back to the days of Windows 3.1 if you’re old enough to remember it.

Since 1040Now relies heavily on “new pages” and “nested forms,” users often have to go back several levels to “resurface” if they accidentally take an incorrect route. Unfortunately, even with guided navigation, it’s easy to get lost.

Quick tax tip: Organize your taxes with an income tax filer

Most tax software allows users to scroll to fill in relevant information. Not 1040Now.net. It requires users to click multiple “Next Step” buttons to complete filling out a single form. Often times, the forms include confusing instructions, which lengthens the application process.

Pulling tax documents and copying information from PDF files into the software takes time. We noticed that we often had to re-enter our usernames and passwords to log in again. These “session expiration” issues occur frequently, making it difficult for filers to complete their taxes efficiently.

1040 pricing now

1040Now.net offers one flat fee for all users. Pricing puts the 1040Now in the mid-to-lower range of the market.

How does 1040Now compare?

Tip: You can get a better experience for free with Cash App Taxes or a much better experience for a similar price with FreeTaxUSA.

The 1040Now program is among the worst on the market. Every competitor listed here is superior in function, and most are less expensive. We recommend Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA (among many others) on 1040Now.

See our full list of the best tax software here.

1040Now uses third-party SSL encryption and requires multi-factor authentication. Filers should therefore feel confident that they have taken all reasonable precautions to keep user information secure.

Of course, any information transmitted over the Internet can be hacked. Users should therefore carefully evaluate the risks before moving forward with any tax filing company. Always use unique, strong passwords and follow other cybersecurity practices to keep your data and funds safe.

Helpful tax tip: What to do if you can’t pay your taxes

Good luck reaching a support representative on 1040Now. The company offers support via email only at [email protected]And most online customer reviews are not positive. Expect this to be a mostly self-service experience, without any live assistance to help you through your return.

Who is this for and is it worth it?

Bottom line: Don’t use 1040Now

No, we don’t think it’s worth it and we can’t really think of any group of taxpayers that would benefit from using it. If you’ve used it before, make this the year you switch from 1040Now. Built-in calculators and department summaries are great, but every major company has them.

Instead of settling for software that’s not keeping up with the times, choose the best tax software that fits your situation. You can do much better.

Why should you trust us?

The College Investor team has spent years reviewing the best tax filing options and has personal experience with most tax software tools. I personally have been the main tax software reviewer since 2022, and have compared most of the major companies on the market.

Our editor-in-chief, Robert Farrington, has been testing tax software tools since 2011 and has tried almost every tax filing product. Furthermore, our team has created reviews and video tours of all the major tax preparation companies, which you can find on our website YouTube channel.

We do taxes and want a good deal, just like you. We work hard to provide informed, honest opinions about every product we test.

How was this product tested?

In our original tests, we used the 1040NOW to complete a real-world tax return that included W-2 income, self-employment income, rental property income, and investment income. We have tried to enter all data and use all available features. We then compared the result to all the other products we tested, as well as a tax return prepared by a tax professional.

This year we’ve reviewed and re-examined all the features we initially tested, as well as any new features. We’ve also validated the pricing options.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about 1040Now:

Can 1040Now help me advance my cryptocurrency investments?

1040Now does not provide exceptional guidance for making cryptocurrency investments. However, it has all the necessary forms for people who trade or mine cryptocurrency investments. Most active traders will want to choose an alternative product, such as TurboTax Premier.

Can 1040Now help me file government filings in multiple states?

Yes, 1040Now supports multi-instance recording.

Does 1040Now offer cash back advance loans?

No, 1040Now does not offer prepaid loans.