How Much Should You Pay for Tax Filing in 2025? TaxBuddy vs Competitors

Farheen Mukadam
Aug 20
8 min read

Updated: Aug 22

Filing your taxes for the financial year 2024-25 is crucial, and choosing the right platform for the task can make a significant difference in both the ease of the process and the cost. With various options available, it’s essential to understand how much you should pay for tax filing in 2025. Let us compare TaxBuddy with its competitors, especially ClearTax, highlighting their pricing, features, and the value they provide. Whether you're salaried, self-employed, or have complex income types like capital gains or crypto income, knowing the best tax filing service for your needs will ensure you file correctly without overpaying.

How Much Does Tax Filing Cost in 2025?

Tax filing costs in 2025 will depend on several factors, including your income type, the complexity of your financial situation, and the platform you choose for filing your taxes. With various online tax filing services available, it's important to understand that these platforms offer different pricing structures, often reflecting the level of assistance you need.

When selecting a tax filing platform, most users will look at two main factors: the cost of the service and the value it provides in terms of support and ease of use. Some platforms offer affordable DIY (Do-It-Yourself) plans, which are suitable for simple tax returns, while others offer more expensive expert-assisted filing for those with more complex tax situations, such as business income, capital gains, or crypto income.

TaxBuddy and ClearTax, to help you determine which one provides the best value for taxpayers in various scenarios. From salaried individuals to those with multiple income sources, we will break down the costs and features of these platforms to help you make an informed decision about where to file your taxes in 2025. We will explore pricing for different income types and delve into the unique benefits that each platform offers, so you can choose the option that best suits your tax filing needs for the upcoming year.

TaxBuddy Pricing for FY 2024-25

TaxBuddy offers transparent pricing for both DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and Assisted (Expert Help) plans. The platform provides a wide range of services, including AI-powered automation for tax filing and post-filing support for assisted plans. Here’s a look at the pricing for the 2024-25 tax season:

Income Type / Profile	TaxBuddy (DIY Plan)	TaxBuddy (Assisted Plan)
Salary + 1 House Property	₹699/year	₹999/year
Salary + Multiple House Properties	₹799/year	₹1,099/year
Business / Professional Income	₹1,599/year	₹2,499/year
Capital Gains (Indian)	₹1,999/year	₹2,999/year
F&O / Speculative Income	₹2,999/year	₹4,499/year
Crypto Income	₹2,999/year	₹4,499/year
NRI / Foreign Income	Not Available (DIY)	₹4,499/year

TaxBuddy stands out by providing customized pricing for specific income types, including F&O, crypto, and business incomes, which are not always covered by competitors.

ClearTax Pricing for FY 2024-25

ClearTax follows a tiered pricing structure based on income type, with lower starting prices for basic returns. However, the cost can rise significantly for more complex returns like business income, capital gains, or F&O trading.

Income Type / Profile	ClearTax (DIY Plan)	ClearTax (Expert Assisted Plan)
Salary + 1 House Property	₹199 – ₹999/year	₹1,799/year
Salary + Multiple House Properties	₹638 – ₹2,129/year	₹1,799/year
Business / Professional Income	₹199 – ₹2,129/year	₹4,999/year
Capital Gains (Stock/Property)	₹788 – ₹2,629/year	₹3,499/year
F&O / Intraday Trading	Not Available	₹4,539/year
Crypto Income	Not Available	₹6,499/year
NRI with Indian Income	Not Available	₹6,499/year

While ClearTax’s DIY plans might appear cheaper, they lack certain features like post-filing support and expert assistance in more complex cases. This can lead to higher costs for users with specific needs.

Key Differentiators Between TaxBuddy and ClearTax

Transparency in Pricing: TaxBuddy offers clear, bundled pricing for both DIY and assisted plans, ensuring users know exactly what they’re paying for. ClearTax’s tiered pricing can be confusing, especially when it comes to more complex tax returns like business income or crypto transactions.
Post-Filing Assistance: TaxBuddy stands out by offering free post-filing assistance with all assisted plans, which includes help with income tax notices and assessments. ClearTax, on the other hand, does not specify post-filing support for many plans.
Support for Complex Filings: TaxBuddy is better equipped to handle complex filings, such as capital gains, foreign income, F&O trading, and crypto income, at competitive prices. ClearTax charges a premium for these services, and in some cases, doesn’t offer DIY options for complex returns.
Technology Integration: TaxBuddy’s AI-powered automation makes tax filing easier by auto-filling details from Form 16 and other investment statements. ClearTax provides similar features but lacks the same level of AI-driven support for accurate and error-free filing.
Audit and Compliance: TaxBuddy includes audit support and expert assistance for assisted filing plans, while ClearTax offers this only in premium plans. This makes TaxBuddy more suitable for businesses or professionals needing assistance with balance sheets and profit and loss statements.

Best Tax Filing Options Based on Your Income Type

Choosing the right tax filing plan depends on your income type and the complexity of your tax return. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Salaried with 1 House Property:
- TaxBuddy DIY at ₹699 or ClearTax DIY at ₹199 – ₹999
- For basic salaried taxpayers, ClearTax may be the cheaper option, but TaxBuddy offers better long-term value if you anticipate future changes in your income profile.
Salaried with Multiple Properties:
- TaxBuddy DIY at ₹799 or ClearTax DIY at ₹638 – ₹2,129
- TaxBuddy offers transparent pricing and more comprehensive services, making it the better choice for multiple property owners.
Business/Professional Income:
- TaxBuddy DIY at ₹1,599 or Assisted at ₹2,499 or ClearTax Expert at ₹4,999
- TaxBuddy provides better value, offering assistance at a significantly lower cost.
Capital Gains (Indian and Foreign):
- TaxBuddy DIY at ₹1,999 or Assisted at ₹2,999 or ClearTax DIY at ₹788 – ₹2,629
- TaxBuddy offers a more competitive rate with additional expert support.
F&O / Speculative Income:
- TaxBuddy at ₹2,999 DIY or ₹4,499 Assisted or ClearTax (Not Available DIY)
- TaxBuddy is the obvious choice for traders due to its specialized plans.
Crypto Income:
- TaxBuddy at ₹2,999 DIY or ₹4,499 Assisted or ClearTax (Not Available DIY)
- TaxBuddy offers dedicated plans for crypto income at competitive prices.
NRI/Foreign Income:
- TaxBuddy Assisted at ₹4,499 or ClearTax Assisted at ₹6,499
- TaxBuddy offers a more affordable and efficient service for NRIs with Indian and foreign income.

Conclusion: Why TaxBuddy is the Best Choice for Many Taxpayers in 2025

For FY 2024-25, TaxBuddy is the more cost-effective, transparent, and feature-rich platform, particularly for taxpayers with complex income sources such as business income, capital gains, crypto, and F&O trading. With AI-driven automation, expert assistance, and post-filing support, TaxBuddy provides a seamless, hassle-free experience for taxpayers of all income types. While ClearTax may be suitable for simple returns, TaxBuddy offers unmatched value for more complex scenarios.

FAQs

Q1. What is the cost of filing taxes with TaxBuddy in 2025?

TaxBuddy's pricing for the 2025 tax filing season begins at ₹699 for simple salaried returns under the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) plan. This cost increases based on the complexity of your tax return. For more complex filings such as F&O (Futures & Options) trading or crypto income, the price for DIY plans reaches ₹2,999. If you require expert help, the Assisted Plan starts at ₹999 for basic salaried returns, rising to ₹4,499 for complicated tax returns involving investments, business income, or cryptocurrency. This pricing structure ensures that users with different financial situations can access tax filing services at reasonable rates.

Q2. How does ClearTax pricing compare for 2025?

ClearTax’s pricing starts at ₹199 for simple returns, making it one of the more affordable options for salaried individuals with basic tax filing needs. However, for more complex filings such as capital gains, crypto income, or business income, ClearTax can charge up to ₹6,499 for its expert-assisted services. While ClearTax’s DIY plans can seem cheaper at first, they may end up being more expensive for taxpayers with complex income types due to the additional expert assistance required for issues like foreign income or F&O trading, which are often priced at a premium.

Q3. Does TaxBuddy offer post-filing support?

Yes, TaxBuddy provides free post-filing assistance with all its Assisted Plans. This means that once you’ve filed your return, TaxBuddy will help you with any income tax notices or assessments that may arise, offering peace of mind and ensuring that your filing remains error-free. In contrast, many other platforms, including ClearTax, charge extra for post-filing support or provide it only in higher-tier plans.

Q4. Can I file my taxes on TaxBuddy without expert help?

Yes, TaxBuddy offers DIY (Do-It-Yourself) plans for various types of income, including salaried individuals, business owners, and those with capital gains or crypto income. These plans allow users to file their taxes independently using the platform's AI-driven automation, which helps auto-fill data from documents like Form 16 and investment statements. For simpler returns, DIY plans are an affordable and effective way to file taxes without the need for expert assistance.

Q5. Does ClearTax offer support for crypto income?

ClearTax does not offer a DIY plan for crypto income and only provides expert-assisted support, which can be quite costly—up to ₹6,499 depending on the complexity of your crypto-related returns. In contrast, TaxBuddy offers both DIY and Assisted plans for crypto income at more competitive prices (₹2,999 for DIY and ₹4,499 for Assisted). This makes TaxBuddy a more affordable and flexible option for cryptocurrency traders and investors.

Q6. What are the pricing differences for business income filings?

For business income tax filings, TaxBuddy charges ₹1,599 for a DIY plan, and ₹2,499 for Assisted filing. ClearTax, on the other hand, charges ₹4,999 for expert-assisted filing for business returns, which is significantly more expensive. TaxBuddy provides a better value for small businesses or professionals looking for straightforward pricing and additional services such as audit support and post-filing assistance.

Q7. Which platform is better for capital gains filing?

For capital gains filings, TaxBuddy offers more affordable options, with its DIY plan priced at ₹1,999 and Assisted plan at ₹2,999. These plans include integrations for auto-filling data from investment documents, making it easier to handle capital gains calculations. ClearTax offers DIY options starting at ₹788, but its expert-assisted plan for capital gains is priced at ₹3,499, which is more expensive. TaxBuddy's pricing for capital gains filings offers better value, particularly for those with complex investments.

Q8. Can NRI taxpayers use TaxBuddy?

Yes, TaxBuddy offers specialized plans for NRIs and those with foreign income. The Assisted Plan for NRIs is priced at ₹4,499, which is significantly lower than ClearTax’s expert-assisted plans, which can reach up to ₹6,499. TaxBuddy provides NRI-specific support, including assistance with foreign income and tax treaties (DTAA), making it an excellent choice for NRIs looking to file their taxes accurately and affordably.

Q9. How does TaxBuddy’s pricing help with complex tax scenarios?

TaxBuddy offers transparent and competitive pricing for a wide range of complex tax scenarios, such as business income, capital gains, crypto, and F&O trading. With both DIY and Assisted plans, TaxBuddy ensures that users can choose the service that best suits their needs. The platform includes post-filing support and audit assistance in its assisted plans, making it a comprehensive solution for taxpayers who may face scrutiny from tax authorities. This transparency in pricing helps taxpayers avoid unexpected costs while receiving the support they need for complex filings.

Q10. What’s the best option for a salaried person with multiple properties?

For salaried individuals with multiple properties, TaxBuddy at ₹799/year offers excellent value. This plan provides AI-driven automation for auto-filling rental income details, tax calculations, and property deductions. ClearTax charges ₹638 – ₹2,129 for similar services, but TaxBuddy’s transparent pricing and added services make it a more attractive option for those with multiple income sources like rental properties.

Q11. Are there hidden fees on TaxBuddy?

No, TaxBuddy prides itself on providing transparent pricing with no hidden fees. All services, including AI automation, post-filing assistance, and expert support, are included in the price. Unlike some competitors that may have additional costs for services like audit support or post-filing assistance, TaxBuddy ensures that users know exactly what they’re paying for upfront, with no surprises.

Q12. Is ClearTax better for simple salaried returns?

Yes, ClearTax is generally cheaper for basic salaried returns, especially with its DIY plans starting as low as ₹199. However, TaxBuddy offers more long-term value, especially if your tax filing needs become more complex in the future. TaxBuddy’s AI automation and post-filing support can save time and effort, making it a more reliable option for taxpayers who need flexibility and comprehensive services.