Nobody ‘needs’ it, but it does make it easier and quicker. I just use the H&R Block online version for free. No software to buy either.
Hands down I need it.
I’m young and dumb and need the step by step.
I’ll also recommend it for the “what the hell is THAT deduction” qualifier. Last year I was given like 500 or whatever bucks just because it cited some random clause that I didn’t make enough money so they chucked a bunch my way. This year I apparently qualified for the “lifetime learner” or something like that deduction. I got a bunch of money and wrote off my expenses for grad school…I never would have found that out myself.
ETA: As for the cost, you can write off the cost of Turbo Tax, so I did that and got the money back
Believe it or not the paper forms come with instructions or you could go to a professional, so you don’t need tax prep software. It is not an absolute necessity.