TurboTax Live Assisted vs Full Service: Help vs Done-For-You

Tax professional reviewing documents with a client

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Option A

TurboTax Live Assisted

DIY + expert help

Option B

TurboTax Live Full Service

Expert does it all

Both Live Assisted and Live Full Service connect you with TurboTax tax experts, but they sit at opposite ends of the effort spectrum. With Live Assisted, you do the work and lean on a pro for questions and a final review. With Full Service, you hand over your documents and a dedicated expert prepares, reviews, and files the return for you.

The right choice really depends on how involved you want to be and how much you're willing to pay. Full Service is the most hands-off and the most expensive option TurboTax offers. Pricing for both depends on your return's complexity, so confirm your quotes on the official TurboTax site.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	TurboTax Live Assisted	TurboTax Live Full Service
Who prepares the return	You, with expert help	A dedicated tax expert
Your effort level	Hands-on	Mostly hands-off
On-demand expert questions	Yes	Yes, with your assigned pro
Expert review before filing	Yes	Yes (they file it)
Upload documents and let a pro work	No	Yes
Relative cost	Lower	Higher
Control over data entry	Full	Limited (you review)
Best for	DIYers who want backup	People who want it done for them

Choose Live Assisted if…

You don't mind entering your own information and want to stay in control.
You mainly want expert answers and a final check, not a full hand-off.
You want to save money compared to a fully done-for-you return.
You enjoy understanding your return as you go.

Choose Full Service if…

You'd rather not touch the software at all.
Your time is more valuable than the cost difference.
Your return is complex and you want a pro to handle every detail.
You're comfortable uploading documents and reviewing the finished return.

Our verdict

Live Assisted keeps you in the driver's seat with a tax pro riding shotgun, which suits people who want help but not a full hand-off. Full Service is for those who'd rather just send their documents and get a finished return back. Choose based on how involved you want to be and how much the convenience is worth to you, there's no wrong answer here.

Frequently asked questions

Do I still need to gather my documents for Full Service?＋

Yes. Even with Full Service, you provide your tax documents like W-2s, 1099s, and receipts. The expert then prepares the return from what you supply and asks follow-up questions as needed.

Can I review the return before it's filed in Full Service?＋

Yes. The expert prepares and reviews your return, then walks you through it. You give it the final approval before anything is filed.

Which is more expensive?＋

Full Service is the pricier option because a professional does the entire return for you. Live Assisted costs less since you handle the data entry yourself.

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