Tax and fee guides

See what common government, banking, property and filing fees usually cost, what they cover and which extra charges to watch for.

These comparisons use active FairPrice Guru records and published provider disclosures. Pricing and terms can change, so use the source and verification date on each detail page before making a decision.

Popular guides

Active fee guides

Federal Tax Filing Software (Individual) — $0–$130 · Simple W-2 returns can (and should) be free. Software vendors upsell you at every step.
CPA-Prepared Individual Return — $200–$700 · A CPA is worth it once your return has 1099s, K-1s, or Schedule C. Under that, DIY software is fine.
Self-Employed Tax Filing (Sch C + SE) — $300–$1,200 · Schedule C + Schedule SE returns balloon in cost fast. Software works if you have clean books; a CPA saves money if you do not.
Home Purchase Closing Costs (Buyer) — $2–$5 · Buyer closing costs are the single most negotiable fee on a mortgage. Lender shopping alone can save 1% of home price.
Home Sale Closing Costs (Seller) — $6–$10 · Sellers usually pay the biggest closing bill. Agent commission is where the money goes — and after the 2024 NAR settlement, it is fully negotiable.
Mortgage Refinance Closing Costs — $1,500–$8,000 · Refi closing costs eat into your break-even math. Only refinance when you will keep the home longer than the break-even period.
Building Permit (Kitchen Remodel) — $250–$2,500 · Permit fees are wildly variable by jurisdiction. Contractors sometimes skip them to hit a lower bid — do not let them.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Permit — $2,000–$15,000 · California made ADUs much easier since 2020, but permit and impact-fee combos vary 5x between cities.
Driver License Renewal — $20–$90 · License renewal fees vary by state. Most states let you renew online with no exam if the last renewal was in person.
Vehicle Registration (Annual) — $30–$800 · Vehicle registration ranges from $30 flat to hundreds based on car value or weight. Deregulated states are cheapest.
Vehicle Title Transfer — $15–$250 · Title transfer fees themselves are small. Sales tax on the vehicle purchase is where the money goes.
US Passport Book (Adult) — $130–$195 · Passport fees are set federally. Rush service is the only variable — expedited processing costs $60 extra.
Global Entry Membership — $0–$120 · Global Entry costs $120 for 5 years and includes TSA PreCheck. Many credit cards fully reimburse the fee.
LLC Formation State Filing Fee — $40–$500 · State LLC filing fees vary 12x. Delaware and Wyoming are marketing myths for most solo LLCs — file in your home state.
Bank Overdraft Fee — $0–$39 · Overdraft fees average $35 but the CFPB has been squeezing them down. Some banks now offer $0 overdraft.
Out-of-Network ATM Fee — $3–$8 · ATM operator fee plus your own bank's foreign ATM fee — the double-charge that quietly costs $5+ per withdrawal.
Probate Attorney Fee — $1,500–$15,000 · Probate fees can be a flat rate, hourly, or a percentage of estate value. Percentage-based is usually worst for larger estates.
Online Will Preparation — $0–$200 · Online wills cover simple estates for a fraction of attorney fees. Complex estates (blended families, business ownership) still need a lawyer.

How FairPrice Guru compares prices · Free price tools