Real ChatGPT answer + Gemini simulation · index seedPIVff1TBMbEcompleteAI OverviewFinance and banking · taxes and tax softwarecommercial
Compare the features and hidden costs of the top three tax software options for working parents who want maximum refunds.
ChatGPTgpt-6Geminigemini-3.5-flash-lite3 passes + 1 real-search37 queries10/30/2026
Download run
Gemini unique queries
33
3 in ≥ half the passes · stability 36%
ChatGPT real searches predicted
0%
0 of 4 matched the simulation
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
SEED QUERY
Compare the features and hidden costs of the top three tax software options for working parents who want maximum refunds.
33 unique queries · 3 passes
maximizing working parent refunds
2 queries · 4 hits
tax software for families
1 query · 2 hits
best tax software for families with child care expenses2xGoogle ↗
PERSONALIZEDComparison
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
Gemini simulated (33)ChatGPT real searches (4)
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 20 of 37 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
ChatGPT4 real searches · gpt-60% predicted
2025 tax year tax software 2026 pricing TurboTax H&R Block FreeTaxUSA federal state fees child tax credit earned income credit Google ↗
official TurboTax 2025 tax year pricing 2026 Deluxe Premium state filing fees Google ↗
official H&R Block online 2025 tax year pricing 2026 state filing fees Google ↗
official FreeTaxUSA 2025 tax year pricing federal state filing fees Google ↗
- TurboTax Online 2025-2026 · turbotax.intuit.com
- TurboTax Deluxe Online 2025-2026 · turbotax.intuit.com
- Tax Preparation Software: Easy, at Home Filing · hrblock.com
- FreeTaxUSA® Pricing: Affordable Filing for All Situations · freetaxusa.com
- Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2026-38 · irs.gov
- Instructions for Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) (2025) · irs.gov
- Refundable tax credits · irs.gov
- Earned income and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) tables · irs.gov
- Publication 503 (2025), Child and Dependent Care Expenses · irs.gov
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Colour
SimulatedReal search
Hover a query to see its counterpart · click a topic to focus it · zoom with Ctrl/⌘ + scroll, a pinch, double-click or +
Queries
33 queries · click a column to sort
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
best tax software for working parents maximum refund REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find the top-rated tax software products specifically tailored to help working parents get the largest possible refund. | Comparison | review_roundup | maximizing working parent refunds | 2x of 3 | |
best tax software for families with child care expenses PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify software that handles dependent care flexible spending accounts and childcare credits seamlessly. | Comparison | buyers_guide | tax software for families | 2x of 3 | |
how to get maximum tax refund working parent deductions REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants actionable advice on maximizing refunds specifically through parent-related tax deductions. | Instruction | how_to_steps | maximizing working parent refunds | 2x of 3 | |
turbotax vs h&r block vs taxact comparison for parents COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand how the three major tax software options compare directly on features relevant to parents. | Comparison | comparison_table | popular tax software comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
turbotax vs h&r block vs taxact feature comparison 2024 COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a side-by-side comparison of features for the top three mainstream tax software programs. | Comparison | comparison_table | popular tax software comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
best tax software for working parents maximum refund comparison REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a reformatted version of the original query focusing directly on the comparison for working parents seeking high refunds. | Comparison | comparison_table | maximizing working parent refunds | 1x of 3 | |
turbotax vs h&r block vs taxact hidden fees 2024 COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to see a direct comparison of the hidden costs and add-on fees for the top three market leaders. | Comparison | pricing_page | hidden fees and upcharges | 1x of 3 | |
turbotax hidden fees add on costs 2024 RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Discover unexpected charges and upsells associated with TurboTax filing tiers. | Consequence | pricing_page | hidden fees and upcharges | 1x of 3 | |
turbotax hidden fees upcharge cost RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to uncover unexpected costs and tier upcharges associated with TurboTax. | Consequence | pricing_page | hidden fees and upcharges | 1x of 3 | |
tax software child tax credit child care credit support IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user needs to know how well the leading software handles specific tax credits crucial for working parents. | Other / navigational | product_spec_sheet | child tax credit support | 1x of 3 | |
h&r block hidden costs state filing fees RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify any extra or hidden charges when filing state returns using H&R Block. | Reason | faq_page | hidden fees and upcharges | 1x of 3 | |
tax software extra charges for w2 and child tax credit IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if filing standard parent tax credits incurs extra fees on cheap or free tiers. | Consequence | web_article | child tax credit support | 1x of 3 | |
free file alliance IRS options vs paid tax software working parents RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to explore whether free government filing options compare favorably to paid software for parents. | Comparison | buyers_guide | tax software for families | 1x of 3 | |
child tax credit calculator free tax software IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find out which tax preparation tools include free estimators for child and dependent care credits. | Other / navigational | calculator/tool | child tax credit support | 1x of 3 | |
free tax USA vs freetaxusa vs cash app taxes ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to explore alternative or lower-cost tax software options that might offer better value than TurboTax. | Comparison | review_roundup | popular tax software comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
best tax software for dual income families with dependents PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for software recommendations tailored to households with dual incomes and dependent children. | Comparison | review_roundup | tax software for families | 1x of 3 | |
freetaxusa vs turbotax cost comparison parents ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Evaluate FreeTaxUSA as an alternative top option alongside or replacing traditional choices like TurboTax. | Comparison | comparison_table | popular tax software comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
freelance income tax software for parents w2 and 1099 ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user needs software that accommodates both traditional employment and side hustle income for working parents. | Other / navigational | web_article | tax software for families | 1x of 3 | |
tax software that guarantees maximum refund is it true RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to evaluate whether refund guarantees from tax software companies actually deliver results. | Comparison | web_article | maximizing working parent refunds | 1x of 3 | |
are state filing fees extra on turbotax and h&r block IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to identify common hidden fees like separate state return charges. | Reason | faq_page | pricing and state filing fees | 1x of 3 | |
do online tax services charge extra for w2 and dependent forms RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Check if standard forms needed by working parents trigger upgrades to expensive tiers. | Reason | faq_page | pricing and state filing fees | 1x of 3 | |
hr block deluxe vs premium hidden fees COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the cost differences between different tiers of H&R Block. | Comparison | product_spec_sheet | hidden fees and upcharges | 1x of 3 | |
how to maximize child tax credit on turbotax IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn how to navigate software prompts to ensure no eligible family deductions are missed. | Instruction | how_to_steps | child tax credit support | 1x of 3 | |
tax software audit defense cost and features IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if audit defense is included or costs extra as an add-on feature. | Comparison | glossary/definition | audit defense cost and features | 1x of 3 | |
taxslayer vs freetaxusa features working parents review COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare lower-cost alternatives against premium software to check value. | Comparison | comparison_table | popular tax software comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
taxact deluxe vs premier features for parents COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Determine whether the higher tier of TaxAct is necessary for claiming family tax breaks. | Comparison | product_spec_sheet | popular tax software comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
freetaxusa deluxe edition cost for parents ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to check the exact pricing and feature set of FreeTaxUSA for filing parent returns. | Reason | pricing_page | pricing and state filing fees | 1x of 3 | |
audit defense fee tax software worth it IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to evaluate if add-on services like audit defense represent a worthwhile hidden cost. | Comparison | web_article | audit defense cost and features | 1x of 3 | |
cheapest tax software with audit defense RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find low-cost tax filing solutions that still offer robust audit support features. | Comparison | web_article | audit defense cost and features | 1x of 3 | |
best tax software for parents 2024 expert ratings REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user seeks expert rankings and ratings for parent-friendly tax software. | Comparison | review_roundup | tax software for families | 1x of 3 | |
tax software hidden upgrade traps to avoid REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn how to avoid paying for unnecessary upgrades while filing taxes online. | Consequence | checklist | hidden fees and upcharges | 1x of 3 | |
is deluxe tax software required for child tax credit IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know if basic free versions block access to common parent tax forms. | Comparison | forum/qna | child tax credit support | 1x of 3 | |
income limits for child tax credit 2024 tax software ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to check income thresholds and how software handles phase-outs for child credits. | Reason | glossary/definition | child tax credit support | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
Geminix = pass, y = cumulative unique queries
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 915 / 1,391 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 12 | 12 | — | 915 / 1,508 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 12 | 12 | — | 915 / 1,507 |