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Tax software for people who deserve better

Taxes done right, not just done

Boris is built on real tax law — not guesswork. Backed by CPAs, reviewed by scholars, and simple enough for anyone.

Free federal return. State from $0. No surprise fees at checkout.

Why Boris
Grounded in tax law
Named after Boris Bittker. Every deduction is traceable to the IRC — not heuristics. You can see exactly why we made each recommendation.
CPA-reviewed logic
A network of licensed accountants reviews every major scenario. Real professional review baked into the product.
Modern and fast
Built from scratch. Connects to your bank, imports your W-2 in seconds, auto-fills what it can. Most returns done in under 20 minutes.
How it works
01

Connect or import your documents

Link your bank, snap a photo of your W-2, or upload directly from your payroll provider.

02

Answer plain-English questions

No jargon. No forms you don't recognize. Boris asks only what it needs, explains why, and suggests optimizations as you go.

03

Review, sign, and file

See a plain-language summary of your return — every number explained. E-file in one click.

Pricing
Free
$0
Federal only · Simple returns
  • W-2 income
  • Standard deduction
  • Free e-file
  • Basic import
Most popular
Classic
$49
Federal + state · All filers
  • Investments & 1099s
  • Itemized deductions
  • Freelance & side income
  • CPA spot-check
  • Priority support
Scholar
$89
For complex situations
  • Business income
  • Rental properties
  • Stock options & RSUs
  • Full CPA review
  • Audit defense
Boris vs. TurboTax
Feature
Boris
TurboTax
Classic plan price
✓$49
$129+
No upsell at checkout
✓Guaranteed
–Common
CPA review included
✓All plans
–Add-on only
IRC code citations
✓Every item
–None
Audit defense
✓Scholar plan
–Paid add-on

"The income tax is the most significant single tax device ever created."

— Boris I. Bittker, Federal Taxation of Income, Estates, and Gifts

IRS-authorized e-file provider
SOC 2 Type II certified
256-bit bank-grade encryption
CPA network reviewed
No data sold. Ever.

Ready to file with confidence?

Start free — no credit card, no commitment, no surprise fees.

Step 1 of 5
Welcome to Boris

Let's get you set up

Create your account in under a minute. Your data is encrypted and never sold.

256-bit encryption. Your tax data is yours — we will never sell or share it.
Step 2 of 5
Tax profile

What's your filing status?

This sets your standard deduction and tax bracket. You can change it later.

Single
Unmarried as of Dec 31, 2024
Married filing jointly
Usually lowers your combined tax
Married filing separately
Better when one spouse has large deductions
Head of household
Unmarried with a qualifying dependent
Step 3 of 5
Import documents

How would you like to bring in your info?

Select all that apply. Boris auto-fills your return from whatever you connect.

Connect my bank or brokerage
Plaid-powered · 12,000+ institutions
Recommended
Upload my W-2 or T4
Photo or PDF — Boris reads it automatically
Fast
Import from prior-year software
TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct — upload your old return
Enter everything manually
We'll walk you through every field
Step 4 of 5
Situation check

A few quick questions

Boris uses these to find every deduction you're entitled to. Takes about 60 seconds.

I have dependents (children or relatives)
Child tax credit, daycare, EITC may apply
I'm a homeowner
Mortgage interest and property tax deductions
I have freelance or self-employment income
Home office, equipment, health insurance deductions
I have investment income or sold stocks
Capital gains rates and loss harvesting
I contributed to an IRA or RRSP this year
Retirement contributions reduce taxable income
I'm a student or paid tuition
Education credits and interest deductions
Step 5 of 5
You're all set
Estimated refund
$1,847
Based on your profile · Final amount after full return
Filing statusSingle
Documents connectedBank + W-2 upload
Deductions foundStandard ($14,600)
PlanClassic — $49
CPA reviewIncluded ✓
Your CPA review will be completed within 24 hours. You'll be notified before we file anything.
Income
Your refund
$0
Live estimate
Boris found
Deductions will appear here.
Boris.
2024 Federal Tax ReturnForm 1040 · Draft · Not yet filed
SK
Sarah Kim, CPA — Review complete
"Everything checks out. I noticed you're eligible for the Saver's Credit on top of your IRA deduction — Boris has already applied it. You're in good shape."
CPA verified
Income
1040 · L1aWages, salaries, tips (W-2)$72,400›
Your employer reported $72,400 in wages on your W-2. This is your gross pay before deductions — Box 1 on your W-2, which your employer filed with the IRS in January.
IRC §61(a)(1)Source: W-2, Box 1
Sch C · L7Net self-employment income$8,200›
Your freelance income after expenses. Boris automatically calculated your net profit and deducted eligible business expenses.
IRC §1401Source: 1099-NEC
1040 · L9Total income$80,600›
The sum of all your income sources before any adjustments. Boris works from here to bring this number down as much as the tax code allows.
IRC §61
Adjustments to income
Sch SESelf-employment tax deduction−$627›
When you're self-employed, you pay both employer and employee Social Security and Medicare taxes. The IRS lets you deduct the employer half (50%). Boris calculated this automatically.
IRC §164(f)Boris auto-applied
1040 · L20IRA contribution deduction−$6,500›
You contributed $6,500 to a traditional IRA. The full amount is deductible because your income is below the phase-out threshold. This reduces your taxable income dollar-for-dollar.
IRC §2192024 limit: $7,000
1040 · L21Student loan interest−$1,850›
You paid $1,850 in student loan interest. This deduction applies even if you take the standard deduction — it reduces your AGI directly. Maximum is $2,500/year.
IRC §221Source: Form 1098-EAbove-the-line
1040 · L11Adjusted gross income (AGI)$71,623›
Your AGI is your income after above-the-line deductions. Many credits phase out based on AGI. Boris found deductions that brought yours from $80,600 down to $71,623.
IRC §62
Deductions
1040 · L12Standard deduction Boris chose this−$14,600›
Boris compared your itemized deductions ($12,650) against the standard deduction ($14,600). The standard deduction wins by $1,950 — so Boris chose it automatically. No documentation needed.
IRC §63(c)Itemized would have been $12,650
1040 · L15Taxable income$57,023›
The income the IRS actually taxes. You started at $80,600 and Boris found $23,577 in legal reductions. Your effective rate is calculated on $57,023, not your full income.
IRC §63Reduced by $23,577
Tax & credits
1040 · L16Federal income tax$7,598›
Based on $57,023 taxable income: 10% on first $11,600 ($1,160) + 12% on $11,600–$47,150 ($4,266) + 22% on $47,150–$57,023 ($2,172). Only income in each bracket is taxed at that rate.
IRC §1Brackets: 10% / 12% / 22%
1040 · L19Child Tax Credit (1 child)−$2,000›
Credits reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Your one qualifying child under 17 earns a $2,000 credit. Boris confirmed you're below the phase-out threshold — you get the full amount.
IRC §24Full credit — no phase-out
Form 8880Saver's Credit Boris found this−$325›
Because you contributed to an IRA, you qualify for the Saver's Credit. Most people miss this entirely. TurboTax would charge extra to find it. Boris includes it at no extra cost.
IRC §25BCPA flagged · commonly missed
1040 · L25aFederal tax withheld (W-2)$13,394›
Every paycheck, your employer withheld federal tax and sent it to the IRS on your behalf. Your W-2 Box 2 shows $13,394. This money is already with the IRS — and you're getting most of it back.
Source: W-2, Box 2
Your federal refund
$8,206
Federal refund
$8,206
Direct deposit · 3–5 business days
Total income$80,600
Total reductions−$23,577
Taxable income$57,023
Effective tax rate9.4%
Credits applied$2,325
Expected deposit by
May 8, 2026 if filed today
IRS-authorized e-file
256-bit encrypted transmission
CPA reviewed · Sarah Kim
Audit defense included
Your return is filed.

The IRS received your 2024 federal return at 2:14 PM today. You're done — Boris will handle everything from here.

IRS confirmation number91827-364-20240503-0042
TaxpayerAlex Chen
Return typeForm 1040 · Tax year 2024
Filed viaBoris · IRS-authorized e-file
CPA reviewed bySarah Kim, CPA ✓
Federal refund
$8,206
Direct deposit
Expected by May 8, 2026
Acct ending ···· 4821
What happens next
Return transmitted to IRS
Boris sent your encrypted return to the IRS e-file system.
Today · 2:14 PM
IRS acknowledgment
The IRS will send an acceptance notice — Boris emails you the moment it arrives.
Expected within 24 hours
IRS processes your return
Typically 1–3 business days for e-filed returns with direct deposit.
Expected May 6–7
Refund sent to your bank
IRS initiates the direct deposit to your account ending in 4821.
Expected May 8
$8,206 lands in your account
Boris notifies you the day your refund posts. If the IRS ever sends a letter, your audit defense is active and Sarah Kim is on it.
Expected May 8–9
Know someone who dreads tax season? Boris is free to start. Send your referral link and you both get $10 off next year.
Boris. · Taxes done right, not just done.
Boris.
Alex Chen
AC
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Your return is filed, Alex. Here's what's next.
While you wait for your refund — here's how to make 2025 even better.
2024 Federal refund
$8,206
Direct deposit → Acct ···· 4821
IRS processing
Filed
May 3
IRS received
May 3
Processing
May 4–6
Refund sent
~May 7
Deposited
~May 8
Total saved
$23,577
↑ $4,210 vs 2023
Effective tax rate
9.4%
↓ 1.2% vs last year
Next year projection
$9,840
↑ $1,634 available
Your tax year at a glance — 2025
Jan
W-2s arrive
Feb
Early filing opens
Mar
IRA top-up window
Apr
Tax deadline Apr 15
May ←
Filed ✓ · Plan ahead
Jun
Q2 est. tax · Jun 15
Jul
Mid-year check-in
Aug
Track expenses
Sep
Q3 est. tax · Sep 15
Oct
Extension deadline
Nov
Year-end planning
Dec
Last chance moves
Do these now · save on 2025 taxes
Max your 2025 IRA
$7,000 limit · $500/mo · fully deductible
$840 contributed$7,000 goal
Save $1,540
Track freelance expenses
Connect Boris to capture receipts year-round
Not startedEst. $2,400/yr
Save $528
Pay Q2 estimated taxes
Due June 15 — avoid underpayment penalty
$820 due
2024 vs 2023
Category
20242023
Income
$80,600$71,200
Total tax
$6,951$7,840
Eff. rate
9.4%11.0%
Refund
$8,206$5,190
Deductions
$23,577$19,367
Boris noticed
💡
Your income grew 13% but your tax rate fell. The IRA deduction and Saver's Credit together saved you an extra $1,865 vs filing without them.
📈
If you earn $85,000 in 2025, maxing your IRA keeps you in the 22% bracket. Boris will flag this automatically in December.
🗓️
Last year you filed April 12. Filing in February next year gets your refund 10+ weeks earlier — Boris will remind you in January.
Boris. · Working for you 365 days a year, not just in April.
Boris.
Kim & Associates CPA
SK
Sarah Kim, CPA
Review queue 4
Clients 18
Analytics
Awaiting review
4
2 flagged by Boris
Avg review time
11m
↓ 4m vs last month
Filed this season
18
↑ 6 vs 2024
Total refunds
$94k
↑ $21k vs 2024
Client
Refund / owed
In queue
Status
AC
Alex Chen
Form 1040 · Saver's Credit
$8,206
Just now
Needs review
Return summary
Total income$80,600
AGI$71,623
Standard deduction$14,600
Child Tax Credit−$2,000
Saver's Credit−$325 ← Boris found
Federal refund$8,206
Boris · Pre-review analysis
Return is clean. Applied Saver's Credit (IRC §25B) — client qualifies at 10% rate for $325. SE tax deduction auto-calculated at $627. Standard deduction beats itemized by $1,950. Confidence: high.
CPA actions
MS
Maria Santos
Form 1040 · MFJ
$3,140
3 hrs ago
Ready to approve
Return summary
Filing statusMarried filing jointly
Combined income$118,400
Itemized deductions$29,200
Mortgage interest−$18,400
Federal refund$3,140
Boris · Pre-review analysis
Clean return. Itemized deductions clearly exceed standard. Mortgage interest verified against 1098. No red flags. Ready for your sign-off.
CPA actions
JP
James Park
Form 1040 · SE income discrepancy
$892 owed
Yesterday
Flagged
Return summary
W-2 income$54,000
1099 income (reported)$12,400
1099 income (bank data)$19,200 ← mismatch
Balance due$892
Boris flagged: Bank data shows $19,200 in freelance deposits vs $12,400 on 1099s. A $6,800 gap. Needs your review before filing.
CPA actions
LW
Linda Wu
Form 1040 · First-time homebuyer
$12,480
2 days ago
Needs review
Return summary
W-2 income$96,000
Mortgage interest (yr 1)−$21,400
Property tax−$6,800
Federal refund$12,480
Boris · Pre-review analysis
First-year homebuyer — large itemized deductions expected. 1098 verified. Refund is high but legitimate. Worth a note to Linda explaining this is the classic first-mortgage-year return. Confidence: high.
CPA actions
Total clients
18
↑ 6 new this year
Avg refund
$5,220
↑ $840 vs 2024
Retention rate
94%
Industry avg: 71%
Revenue (2025)
$4,140
↑ $720 vs 2024
ClientStatus2024 refundEff. rateMember sinceNext action
Alex Chen
Single · 1 dep.
Under review$8,2069.4%2025CPA review
Maria Santos
MFJ · 2 deps.
Ready$3,14014.2%2022Approve
James Park
Single · SE
Flagged$892 owed18.1%2023Resolve flag
Linda Wu
Single · Homeowner
Under review$12,4808.6%2025CPA review
Tom Bradley
MFJ · No deps.
Filed$2,21011.8%2021—
Priya Mehta
Single · Rental
Filed$5,65010.3%2023—
Season revenue
$4,140
↑ 21% YoY
Time per return
11m
↓ 74% vs manual
Client NPS
84
Industry avg: 34
Boris auto-prep
91%
No CPA edits needed
Refund distribution · 2025
$0–$2k
4
$2k–$5k
9
$5k–$10k
5
$10k+
2
Balance due
1
Time saved this season
47 hrs
saved vs manual prep
18 returns × avg 11 min review
vs industry avg 2h 45m per return
Boris handled 91% of prep work
Boris accuracy · 2025
No edits needed
91%
Minor edits
6%
CPA flagged
3%
Revenue · 2021–2025
2021
$1.8k
2022
$2.4k
2023
$3.1k
2024
$3.4k
2025
$4.1k
Expense tracker · 2025
Your deductions, captured.
Boris categorizes every receipt automatically. No spreadsheets.
All expenses
🖥 Business
✈️ Travel
🍽 Meals
🏠 Home office
⚕️ Health
📚 Education
💻
Adobe Creative Cloud
BusinessApr 28 · Auto-detected
$54.99
100% deductible · IRC §162
✈️
Air Canada — YYZ→LAX
TravelApr 14 · Client meeting
$487.00
100% deductible · IRC §162
🍽
Nobu — client dinner
MealsApr 10 · 50% deductible
$284.00
50% deductible · IRC §274
🏠
Rogers — home internet
Home officeApr 1 · 30% business use
$45.00
30% deductible · IRC §280A
🖥
AWS — cloud hosting
BusinessMar 31 · Auto-detected
$128.40
100% deductible · IRC §162
📚
Coursera — UX Design cert
EducationMar 15 · Work-related
$399.00
100% deductible · IRC §162
⚕️
SE health insurance premium
HealthMar 1 · Self-employed deduction
$312.00
100% deductible · IRC §162(l)
Snap a receipt or upload a PDF
Boris reads it with OCR and auto-categorizes. Takes 3 seconds.
Total deductions · 2025
$1,710.39
Captured Jan–May 2025
By category
Business
$583.39
Travel
$487.00
Education
$399.00
Health (SE)
$312.00
Meals (50%)
$142.00
Home office
$45.00
Estimated tax savings
$376
At your 22% marginal rate. Every receipt counts — Boris tracks this in real time.
At $12,000/yr you beat the standard deduction. You're 38% of the way there in 5 months.
Quarterly estimated taxes · 2025
Know exactly what to pay — and when.
The IRS requires self-employed people to pay taxes four times a year. Miss a deadline and you pay penalties — even if you pay in full at filing. Boris calculates your exact amount.
Q1 · Jan–Mar
Due Apr 15, 2025
✓ Paid
Q2 · Apr–Jun
Due Jun 15 · 43 days
$1,380
Due soon
Q3 · Jul–Sep
Due Sep 15, 2025
~$1,380
Estimated
Q4 · Oct–Dec
Due Jan 15, 2026
~$1,380
Estimated
Your 2025 income (Jan–Jun YTD)
W-2 / employment income
Annualized: ~$72,000
Freelance / 1099 income
Annualized: ~$28,400
Business deductions (YTD)
From your expense tracker
Prior withholding (W-2)
Withheld from paychecks
Q2 tax breakdown — plain English
Annualized freelance income
Projected for the full year
$28,400
Less: business deductions
IRC §162 — ordinary & necessary expenses
−$3,420
Net SE income (taxable)
After deductions
$24,980
Self-employment tax (15.3%)
IRC §1401 — Social Security & Medicare
$1,916
SE tax deduction (50%)
IRC §164(f) — Boris auto-applies this
−$958
Income tax on SE income (22%)
At your marginal bracket
$2,644
Less: W-2 withholding credit
Already withheld from your paychecks
−$3,330
Q2 payment due Jun 15
Pay via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS — free
$1,380
2025 full-year picture
Total income (proj.)$100,400
Deductions (proj.)$14,600
Taxable income$85,800
Annual tax (est.)$14,896
Paid Q1$1,240
Remaining$13,656
If you skip Q2
$83
Estimated underpayment penalty (IRC §6654). Charged even if you pay it all in April. Never worth it.
Safe harbor rule: Pay 100% of last year's tax in 4 equal payments → zero penalty, even if you earn more this year.
Payment options:
IRS Direct Pay (free) · EFTPS · credit card (1.75% fee) · check