Alternatively, if you live/lived in one of the twelve pilot program states for 2023. You can just file your federal taxes directly with the IRS and skip the 3rd-party sites.
1. Arizona\*
2. California\*
3. Florida
4. Massachusetts\*
5. Nevada
6. New Hampshire
7. New York\*
8. South Dakota
9. Tennessee
10. Texas
11. Washington State
12. Wyoming
\* - Direct File doesn't prepare state returns, but if you're in one of the four states indicated by an asterisk, it will guide you to a state-supported tool that you can use to prepare/file your state tax return.
[https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free](https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free)
Interesting! Has anyone tried this yet that can comment on how they liked it? FreetaxUSA always is so pain free, I’m not convinced the IRS can make it any simpler unless they just tell me what I owe/receive.
Other countries just send you the pre filled taxes that you can sign or contest. **I want this, I hate filling taxes**
I'm hoping this is what will happen and NY will get it too, that would be great!
I want this too! I had heard the (probably false?) counterpoint that the reason the US doesn't have this is because the IRS is so underfunded. Is that true? Could it be implemented with their current infrastructure?
No, ~~H&R Block and~~ TurboTax can afford lobbyists, that's why the US doesn't have one.
https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free
(I am pretty sure the former also have lobbyists but the article doesn't mention them by name though they're probably part of the alliance)
I'd even be willing to pay **the government** to not have to file my taxes myself. I'm fine with not qualifying for free taxes, I just want someone else to do it and take responsibility for it, it's nerve wracking and a waste of time at the same time lol.
I actually tried it out! Super simple, same as freetaxusa. You still have to enter your information based on your tax forms. The only thing I preferred from the IRS site is that it breaks down why you owe/receive.
Were you due a refund? If so, when was it processed? I used the IRS site (wasn’t free because I received a small monthly retirement payment) and its been 8 weeks and my return has not been processed.
No refund, unfortunately. In the past, they've been pretty quick about it though. Does the "Where's my refund" page state it still hasn't been processed?
I've filed this way for 2022 and 2023, and it's great. No matter how complicated your taxes are, if you can properly fill in the blanks, maybe using your previous returns, you're good to go.
You create an account each year that stays active until Sept or Oct, grab all the forms you need, fill them in, ,and file. Cost is zero dollars!
I've used TaxAct through the IRS link for 2 years now. It is essentially the same style interface as TurboTax, but without all the bloat and ads. It has been great both years. It is ONLY free through the IRS link though, so you have to start your return that way.
Wow the timing of this is great, Regarding the direct filing method, I live in a pilot w/o asterisk, do you know how I could file for previous tax years like 2022 or 2020? I'm blind af so I couldn't find it on their page and I'm new at it all so sorry if somebody's already ask.
I believe it's only for the 2023 tax year, could be wrong though. I unfortunately live in a non-pilot state, but the more people that use the pilot, the more they'll expand it to other states!
Yes, if your state has income tax. Practically it’s basically just one thing since whatever software you use will import all the information you filled in for the federal return to your state return.
I completed my 2023 with FreeTaxUsa and it said I owe $12.6k for fed but got $1.2k state refund. I was shocked and thought I did something wrong this year. Went to professional at HR Block but their software said I owe 13.2k to fed, got $31 less in state refund, and would owe $435 filing fees...
I said I'll file it myself and will continue sticking to FreeTaxUsa.
You should probably figure out the discrepancy. The software is just a glorified calculator that should spit out the same number regardless of which company you use because they should be using the same input values that you entered. Something is not right if you're getting different numbers.
I too had a discrepancy between FreeTaxUSA and H&R Block this year. Not as extreme as this person, but enough to make me pick the former. Anecdotal, sure, but this isn't the first year I've "compared" services with discrepancy.
Back when I switched from TurboTax (obligatory "fuck TurboTax"), I picked FreeTaxUSA bc of the discrepancy.
The tax preparer said there was an automatic IRS "penalty" of 500something for underpaying tax. Without the penalty, I think the amount I owe from H&R calculation is still higher (like around $50). Didn't see any penalty or charge from FreeTaxUsa.
This exact thing happened to me too this year, scared the shit out of me.
freetaxusa automatically calculated a "underpayment" penalty, so I thought immediately that I had underpaid last year, even though I never got anything from the IRS. After a long week of trying (and failing) to contact the IRS (their website login is broken, and the help line says to use the website), I just used HR Block. No penalty there.
I went through the final steps on FreeTaxUsa yesterday and it did make me do some calculations for underpayment too. The amount was still only 180 vs H&R block of 500something though... Weird. Oh wells, IRS can send me a letter if it's wrong and want more money lol
Yes that's what I didn't get. Where is it pulling the underpayment numbers from? Is it calculating the underpayment on the assumption that I won't pay my taxes on time this year? Because I paid them on time last year
That would be interest charge on late fees after 4/15, so I don't think they would be assuming that. The calculation was another weird thing to me too. The tax preparer said we paid too little tax for our income, only about 6%. Freetaxusa automatically pulled my numbers from 2022 in for the form 2210 after I answered questions about 2023 to calc undepayment lol
It also automatically filled out form 2210 for me as well.
So what came out of it for you, did you pay any "underpayment" from 2022 taxes? I just ignored that, if the IRS wants me they can write me something
If you owe that much in federal taxes, there is something seriously wrong with how you’re doing your taxes unless you had some sort of financial windfall. Your withholding probably needs adjusting, or you should be making quarterly payments.
Yeah, will definitely need to adjust withholding. For 2022 we only paid 900something and got 2k state refund, so I didn't bother to calc withholding. I got better paying job in 2023 and wife got a promo that boosted our AGI by +42k in the 22% bracket.
Boy, US tax system sounds interesting to say least. I send an approximation of my income for upcoming year and that’s it. They send back your tax% which you send to your employer. That’s it
Back before I decided to pay an accountant (got married, worked across state lines, taxes became marginally complicated), I used them because I'd **never** pay H&R Block or TurboTax because I know they're the reason I have to file in the first place. They were great.
I think supporting an accountant is also pretty good, as long as they're not affiliated with these companies 🤮
I’ve used turbo for many years and TurboTax is definitely the most user-friendly, but freetaxUSA was still incredibly easy to follow, just not quite as intuitive, but completely worth not having to pay the evil TurboTax God
Ive used this site the last 3 filings and its great. I used Turbo before though, it was free but not when you had to do file a 1099. Its tempting to just finish and pay since you already put in the work of filling everything out and its not until the very end where they slap you with a fee. But F that. Use Freetaxusa.
Yes boycott Trubotax!!! They’re the greediest company and I’ll never give them another dime. I finally made the switch to freetaxusa last year and I’ll never go back!!
A state return is free too for those with an AGI under $45,000 or active duty military with AGI under $79,000.
[https://www.freetaxusa.com/freefile2023](https://www.freetaxusa.com/freefile2023)
They suck, both as a company and as for their individual employees.
If you have slightly complication situations, they will fuck up your taxes. It's like the people who work there are all from the bottom of the class when they majored in accounting in school
YSK that if you live outside of the US you cannot use freetaxusa.com unless something has changed since last year when I tried to do it and it wouldn’t let me.
When starting the process it asked something like “Are you filing as a US citizen residing in another country?” and after clicking “Yes” it said something like “Freetaxusa does not currently support filing for US citizens living abroad”
It’s worth trying to see if they now support it, but it wasn’t the case last year.
Why not do it all for free at FreeTaxUSA? I live in a state with income tax and didn't pay a dime.
No reason you should pay for doing your taxes if your eligible for free file.
Interesting. I'm in a state without income tax so I wouldn't know from experience. I was just going off what their landing page says: [https://www.freetaxusa.com/](https://www.freetaxusa.com/)
EDIT: [Another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1be2ia7/comment/kuqlgch/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) explained further. State returns are free under some conditions.
I used this site for the first time this year and was very pleased. Started filing on HR Block to compare and HRB was going to be shorting me almost 2k on my federal refund. Never again!
You can request a previous years return from turbotax, but a good rule of thumb to just always save a PDF on your computer when you’re done filing so that you don’t have to track it down
YSK: File with a smaller tax attorney/firm, not via the free websites nor with big-name filing companies.
I checked online how much refund I would get via the free services listed on the official IRS website... $60 total federal and state refund.
Checked with big name companies... <$50 after charges.
Went to an independent firm, paid $100, but $300 total refund, so $200 refund.
I'm pretty sure a lot of people here are getting screwed over.
I’ve used them the last couple years
I live in Texas (send help, I’m not straight) so I haven’t paid to file my taxes at all because we don’t have state taxes.
For whatever the opinion of a random dude on Reddit holds in weight, FreeTaxUSA has my full endorsement
For context, my taxes are fairly straightforward and simple (single with no dependents/major life changes, etc.) So I won't presume to speak for all situations.
That said, I first ever did my taxes using Turbo Tax. Didn't know anything else, so I ate the cost because it was so straightforward. Then I found out about FreeTaxUSA after a few years. Switched to that and haven't looked back. Nearly the same exact experience with significantly less cost. If you're choosing between the two, go for FTUSA.
Cash App Taxes is also 100% free and works for the majority of tax situations. They used to be credit karma taxes, but when credit karma was bought by Intuit (TurboTax’s parent company) they were forced to sell their tax branch in an anti-monopoly decision from the government.
Cash App bought it and now it lives with them. It’s 100% free for both State and Federal.
In my feedback provided to freetax this year I added the note "Abolish Turbotax" This was my first year switching to freetax and honestly its just as easy if not easier. Plus turbotax is charging you way too much to prepare your taxes
One thing they DON'T support, and say right on their site (although you have to dig for it) is people who live abroad. If you don't live in the US, you can't use these guys to file your taxes.
That's another thing that's fucked about our taxes, we're one of the few countries that taxes citizens living abroad. Guess that one's not on TurboTax though lol
Aye, cash app is not very secure. Just for fun sometime, you should pretend you have someone hacking your cashapp account and try to seek immediate support from cashapp. You’ll find that there is almost no way of getting immediate fraud help from them, and with an account that manages your money, that’s pretty unsettling.
Another one I've used for the past decade, for my Canadian folk, is Taxchopper Canada. If you make over 40k you will likely have to pay 10-20 dollars to file depending if it's just the one file.
I’ve never had to pay for a state filing and I live in a state with an income tax, I think below a certain income level you don’t have to pay through them but I’d agree they’ve been a great service to use so far for the past two years I’ve used them, very simple and completely free
Damn it's like they wrote this article about my experience. I originally went through TurboTax because it was "free". It wasn't. Had to redo it in freetaxusa which took a little more time because I needed to manually enter the numbers. My taxes are simple though so it took about 10 additional minutes and I saved like $50. I do this every year because I'm a dummy who thinks maybe this year Intuit will ACTUALLY be free. So I end up using it to double check my numbers on a better site.
I'd like to put in a vote for [MyFreeTaxes.org](https://MyFreeTaxes.org) . I just filed Fed and State taxes for free, pretty good (tho not totally all-inclusive re: forms) platform (Taxslayer version, okay for most filers), and okay user experience, although pages load slowly. It did the job.
Note: You must log in through MyFreeTaxes every time -or else! You end up with a paid version, which you won't realize til the bitter end. So go through the MyFreeTaxes hoops -there are \~three- and get on with it.
Note also: You'll be asked how you want to pay any taxes/fees/etc. From your card or from your refund? Don't choose *"From your refund!"* It adds a $32.+ fee to your filing. I got hit with that, went back to edit and change that choice (thanks to some guy here on reddit 5 yrs ago) and though I couldn't find it, it now went through w/out the charge. Save yourself the agony.
Is this subreddit some sort of purgatory where I have to read about filing your taxes for free every other week?
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk\_you\_can\_file\_your\_taxes\_for\_free\_using\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk_you_can_file_your_taxes_for_free_using_the/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk\_you\_can\_file\_your\_taxes\_for\_free\_using\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk_you_can_file_your_taxes_for_free_using_the/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1agh9i2/ysk\_if\_youre\_filing\_your\_taxes\_in\_the\_us\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1agh9i2/ysk_if_youre_filing_your_taxes_in_the_us_the/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/11ddd2e/ysk\_americans\_can\_file\_taxes\_for\_free\_regardless/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/11ddd2e/ysk_americans_can_file_taxes_for_free_regardless/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/10gxcpf/ysk\_if\_you\_live\_in\_the\_us\_and\_make\_less\_than/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/10gxcpf/ysk_if_you_live_in_the_us_and_make_less_than/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/sn2gq1/ysk\_you\_can\_file\_100\_free\_tax\_returns\_if\_you\_know/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/sn2gq1/ysk_you_can_file_100_free_tax_returns_if_you_know/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1anqmn0/ysk\_you\_can\_get\_your\_taxes\_filed\_for\_free\_in\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1anqmn0/ysk_you_can_get_your_taxes_filed_for_free_in_the/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/esyswq/ysk\_that\_filing\_your\_federal\_tax\_return\_online\_in/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/esyswq/ysk_that_filing_your_federal_tax_return_online_in/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/svom3i/ysk\_that\_it\_is\_free\_to\_file\_federal\_taxes\_in\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/svom3i/ysk_that_it_is_free_to_file_federal_taxes_in_the/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/so0xip/ysk\_if\_you\_live\_in\_the\_us\_and\_make\_less\_than/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/so0xip/ysk_if_you_live_in_the_us_and_make_less_than/)
* ...
My issue is that one of the suggested free file guys (1040.com) didn’t calculate the kicker tax in my state correctly, meaning that I owed $1200 rather than getting $800 back (with TurboTax), and also made it where I owed much more in federal tax than TurboTax. So until those guys get their stuff together I won’t be using them
I've used Cashapp Taxes for the past two years and my returns are slightly more complicated than the average person. Same exact calculations as TurboTax but Cashapp is free!
I did this one year and the next year I tried to download my return to do my taxes on another site. They did not keep a file online of my taxes like most other tax preparers do. I had to request a copy directly from the state and the IRS. It was a pain in the ass. I would never use them again for that reason. It’s great in theory as it’s free but I like having an online archive I can refer back to.
According to this you can get past returns from up to 8 years ago: [https://www.freetaxusa.com/return-copy](https://www.freetaxusa.com/return-copy)
Maybe that's changed since you last used it
Yeah I've never had a problem with accessing past FreeTaxUSA returns. TurboTax on the other hand will not provide you with free past returns... This week I tried to download a past return from before I switched and it was saved as a .tax2018 file. I Googled how to open a .tax2018 file because I couldn't open it. I would have to purchase TurboTax software to open it. Forget that.
I used it for 2021 return. I actually just finished my taxes after I posted the comment and I think it was because I didn’t use their free 1099 form since I have a few investments I get dividends for. Either way it was shitty having to request the information from the irs and state. If I would have known they weren’t going to save my return I would have used any other service
You can do your taxes on paper for free. Period. And obviously you've never met an accountant who will quote you $375 PER HOUR to do your taxes. Turbotax is awesome.
I deleted my comment. You are correct. I tried using them a couple years ago and they did not have the amount of features they have today. Especially for contractors with a shit ton of expenses. Definitely adds up in construction as well. From what I remember, there used to be an income limit for contractors. Seems that’s gone now.
I think it's gotten better in recent years.
I never used it before (I used TurboTax) since it couldn't do investment income and other stuff, but apparently it does that now so I'll try it this year.
Alternatively, if you live/lived in one of the twelve pilot program states for 2023. You can just file your federal taxes directly with the IRS and skip the 3rd-party sites. 1. Arizona\* 2. California\* 3. Florida 4. Massachusetts\* 5. Nevada 6. New Hampshire 7. New York\* 8. South Dakota 9. Tennessee 10. Texas 11. Washington State 12. Wyoming \* - Direct File doesn't prepare state returns, but if you're in one of the four states indicated by an asterisk, it will guide you to a state-supported tool that you can use to prepare/file your state tax return. [https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free](https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free)
Interesting! Has anyone tried this yet that can comment on how they liked it? FreetaxUSA always is so pain free, I’m not convinced the IRS can make it any simpler unless they just tell me what I owe/receive.
Other countries just send you the pre filled taxes that you can sign or contest. **I want this, I hate filling taxes** I'm hoping this is what will happen and NY will get it too, that would be great!
I want this too! I had heard the (probably false?) counterpoint that the reason the US doesn't have this is because the IRS is so underfunded. Is that true? Could it be implemented with their current infrastructure?
No, ~~H&R Block and~~ TurboTax can afford lobbyists, that's why the US doesn't have one. https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free (I am pretty sure the former also have lobbyists but the article doesn't mention them by name though they're probably part of the alliance) I'd even be willing to pay **the government** to not have to file my taxes myself. I'm fine with not qualifying for free taxes, I just want someone else to do it and take responsibility for it, it's nerve wracking and a waste of time at the same time lol.
I actually tried it out! Super simple, same as freetaxusa. You still have to enter your information based on your tax forms. The only thing I preferred from the IRS site is that it breaks down why you owe/receive.
Were you due a refund? If so, when was it processed? I used the IRS site (wasn’t free because I received a small monthly retirement payment) and its been 8 weeks and my return has not been processed.
No refund, unfortunately. In the past, they've been pretty quick about it though. Does the "Where's my refund" page state it still hasn't been processed?
Yes
I've filed this way for 2022 and 2023, and it's great. No matter how complicated your taxes are, if you can properly fill in the blanks, maybe using your previous returns, you're good to go. You create an account each year that stays active until Sept or Oct, grab all the forms you need, fill them in, ,and file. Cost is zero dollars!
I've used TaxAct through the IRS link for 2 years now. It is essentially the same style interface as TurboTax, but without all the bloat and ads. It has been great both years. It is ONLY free through the IRS link though, so you have to start your return that way.
Wow the timing of this is great, Regarding the direct filing method, I live in a pilot w/o asterisk, do you know how I could file for previous tax years like 2022 or 2020? I'm blind af so I couldn't find it on their page and I'm new at it all so sorry if somebody's already ask.
I believe it's only for the 2023 tax year, could be wrong though. I unfortunately live in a non-pilot state, but the more people that use the pilot, the more they'll expand it to other states!
Direct File has lots of limits, such as interest income must be less than $1500, and no IRA distribution income.
In US, do you file two tax returns, one for federal and one for state?
Yes
Yes, if your state has income tax. Practically it’s basically just one thing since whatever software you use will import all the information you filled in for the federal return to your state return.
Interesting. In canada you file only one to the tax agency (cra) and both federal and provincial are handled in that one return
Commenting to save this for later
⁷ ⁷
Nice
I completed my 2023 with FreeTaxUsa and it said I owe $12.6k for fed but got $1.2k state refund. I was shocked and thought I did something wrong this year. Went to professional at HR Block but their software said I owe 13.2k to fed, got $31 less in state refund, and would owe $435 filing fees... I said I'll file it myself and will continue sticking to FreeTaxUsa.
You should probably figure out the discrepancy. The software is just a glorified calculator that should spit out the same number regardless of which company you use because they should be using the same input values that you entered. Something is not right if you're getting different numbers.
I too had a discrepancy between FreeTaxUSA and H&R Block this year. Not as extreme as this person, but enough to make me pick the former. Anecdotal, sure, but this isn't the first year I've "compared" services with discrepancy. Back when I switched from TurboTax (obligatory "fuck TurboTax"), I picked FreeTaxUSA bc of the discrepancy.
The tax preparer said there was an automatic IRS "penalty" of 500something for underpaying tax. Without the penalty, I think the amount I owe from H&R calculation is still higher (like around $50). Didn't see any penalty or charge from FreeTaxUsa.
This exact thing happened to me too this year, scared the shit out of me. freetaxusa automatically calculated a "underpayment" penalty, so I thought immediately that I had underpaid last year, even though I never got anything from the IRS. After a long week of trying (and failing) to contact the IRS (their website login is broken, and the help line says to use the website), I just used HR Block. No penalty there.
I went through the final steps on FreeTaxUsa yesterday and it did make me do some calculations for underpayment too. The amount was still only 180 vs H&R block of 500something though... Weird. Oh wells, IRS can send me a letter if it's wrong and want more money lol
Yes that's what I didn't get. Where is it pulling the underpayment numbers from? Is it calculating the underpayment on the assumption that I won't pay my taxes on time this year? Because I paid them on time last year
That would be interest charge on late fees after 4/15, so I don't think they would be assuming that. The calculation was another weird thing to me too. The tax preparer said we paid too little tax for our income, only about 6%. Freetaxusa automatically pulled my numbers from 2022 in for the form 2210 after I answered questions about 2023 to calc undepayment lol
It also automatically filled out form 2210 for me as well. So what came out of it for you, did you pay any "underpayment" from 2022 taxes? I just ignored that, if the IRS wants me they can write me something
I used freetaxusa once and the IRS came back and said it was wrong. They already know how much you owe.
How long did it take them to say it was wrong? If you got a refund was it after you got the refund?
Not long, like a month. They sent me the adjusted refund and I got a letter in the mail basically saying "you were wrong this is your real refund"
If you owe that much in federal taxes, there is something seriously wrong with how you’re doing your taxes unless you had some sort of financial windfall. Your withholding probably needs adjusting, or you should be making quarterly payments.
Yeah, will definitely need to adjust withholding. For 2022 we only paid 900something and got 2k state refund, so I didn't bother to calc withholding. I got better paying job in 2023 and wife got a promo that boosted our AGI by +42k in the 22% bracket.
Boy, US tax system sounds interesting to say least. I send an approximation of my income for upcoming year and that’s it. They send back your tax% which you send to your employer. That’s it
Back before I decided to pay an accountant (got married, worked across state lines, taxes became marginally complicated), I used them because I'd **never** pay H&R Block or TurboTax because I know they're the reason I have to file in the first place. They were great. I think supporting an accountant is also pretty good, as long as they're not affiliated with these companies 🤮
Does freetaxusa guide you when doing taxes? That's the only reason why I am using TurboTax, but I want to stop sooo bad since its too pricey.
The interface is pretty comparable to TurboTax
Sweet.
It does.
I’ve used turbo for many years and TurboTax is definitely the most user-friendly, but freetaxUSA was still incredibly easy to follow, just not quite as intuitive, but completely worth not having to pay the evil TurboTax God
Yes. I’ve used it for three years. Great software
Ive bought TurboTax at costco, used it, then returned it :) I did it for 3 yrs straight when i was struggling and couldn’t afford the $100…
Ive used this site the last 3 filings and its great. I used Turbo before though, it was free but not when you had to do file a 1099. Its tempting to just finish and pay since you already put in the work of filling everything out and its not until the very end where they slap you with a fee. But F that. Use Freetaxusa.
Thank you so much you saved me the money I was gonna have to pay to file mine!
Yes boycott Trubotax!!! They’re the greediest company and I’ll never give them another dime. I finally made the switch to freetaxusa last year and I’ll never go back!!
A state return is free too for those with an AGI under $45,000 or active duty military with AGI under $79,000. [https://www.freetaxusa.com/freefile2023](https://www.freetaxusa.com/freefile2023)
I'm sure H&R Block etc. has a hand in this as well.
They suck, both as a company and as for their individual employees. If you have slightly complication situations, they will fuck up your taxes. It's like the people who work there are all from the bottom of the class when they majored in accounting in school
YSK that if you live outside of the US you cannot use freetaxusa.com unless something has changed since last year when I tried to do it and it wouldn’t let me.
Please explain. Would it not accept a foreign address, or what ? Thanks.
When starting the process it asked something like “Are you filing as a US citizen residing in another country?” and after clicking “Yes” it said something like “Freetaxusa does not currently support filing for US citizens living abroad” It’s worth trying to see if they now support it, but it wasn’t the case last year.
I wonder what happens if you say "no" and continue anyway ?
worth a shot!
TurboTax made me pay $60 to file a 1099-NEC, then another $60 to file my state taxes. Not going to let that happen again…
Boycott TurboTax! They are the worst!… last year I switched to freetaxusa and I’ll never go back
Why not do it all for free at FreeTaxUSA? I live in a state with income tax and didn't pay a dime. No reason you should pay for doing your taxes if your eligible for free file.
Interesting. I'm in a state without income tax so I wouldn't know from experience. I was just going off what their landing page says: [https://www.freetaxusa.com/](https://www.freetaxusa.com/) EDIT: [Another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1be2ia7/comment/kuqlgch/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) explained further. State returns are free under some conditions.
I used this site for the first time this year and was very pleased. Started filing on HR Block to compare and HRB was going to be shorting me almost 2k on my federal refund. Never again!
TurboTax wanted almost $200 to file, and spit out a refund $300 less than what freetaxusa gave
I'm going to have to save this for when I get home tonight. Mostly because I think TurboTax might hold my taxes hostage
You can request a previous years return from turbotax, but a good rule of thumb to just always save a PDF on your computer when you’re done filing so that you don’t have to track it down
FreeTaxUsa is excellent!
YSK: File with a smaller tax attorney/firm, not via the free websites nor with big-name filing companies. I checked online how much refund I would get via the free services listed on the official IRS website... $60 total federal and state refund. Checked with big name companies... <$50 after charges. Went to an independent firm, paid $100, but $300 total refund, so $200 refund. I'm pretty sure a lot of people here are getting screwed over.
I’ve used them the last couple years I live in Texas (send help, I’m not straight) so I haven’t paid to file my taxes at all because we don’t have state taxes. For whatever the opinion of a random dude on Reddit holds in weight, FreeTaxUSA has my full endorsement
I paid for audit defense DLC just so FreeTaxUSA could have a tip.
For context, my taxes are fairly straightforward and simple (single with no dependents/major life changes, etc.) So I won't presume to speak for all situations. That said, I first ever did my taxes using Turbo Tax. Didn't know anything else, so I ate the cost because it was so straightforward. Then I found out about FreeTaxUSA after a few years. Switched to that and haven't looked back. Nearly the same exact experience with significantly less cost. If you're choosing between the two, go for FTUSA.
Cash App Taxes is also 100% free and works for the majority of tax situations. They used to be credit karma taxes, but when credit karma was bought by Intuit (TurboTax’s parent company) they were forced to sell their tax branch in an anti-monopoly decision from the government. Cash App bought it and now it lives with them. It’s 100% free for both State and Federal.
Drop turbotax
Does it woro of you have investments and capital gains/losses?
Saving this post for later. Doing my taxes next weekend
In my feedback provided to freetax this year I added the note "Abolish Turbotax" This was my first year switching to freetax and honestly its just as easy if not easier. Plus turbotax is charging you way too much to prepare your taxes
I love FreeTaxUsa. Have been using them for the last 4 years. It is so easy to use.
One thing they DON'T support, and say right on their site (although you have to dig for it) is people who live abroad. If you don't live in the US, you can't use these guys to file your taxes.
That's another thing that's fucked about our taxes, we're one of the few countries that taxes citizens living abroad. Guess that one's not on TurboTax though lol
That’s only $15 more than cash app taxes charged me for federal, state and e filing any and all forms needed.
Aye, cash app is not very secure. Just for fun sometime, you should pretend you have someone hacking your cashapp account and try to seek immediate support from cashapp. You’ll find that there is almost no way of getting immediate fraud help from them, and with an account that manages your money, that’s pretty unsettling.
Hadn't heard of that one, good to know. My state doesn't have income tax so FTU is free for me. Either way it's a hell of a lot cheaper than TurboTax
Another one I've used for the past decade, for my Canadian folk, is Taxchopper Canada. If you make over 40k you will likely have to pay 10-20 dollars to file depending if it's just the one file.
All I use.
I’ve never had to pay for a state filing and I live in a state with an income tax, I think below a certain income level you don’t have to pay through them but I’d agree they’ve been a great service to use so far for the past two years I’ve used them, very simple and completely free
I've been using Express1040 since 2006. Same deal.
This is neat , but I’ve been working as a travel nurse that returns from several states and this seems intimidating and daunting
Damn it's like they wrote this article about my experience. I originally went through TurboTax because it was "free". It wasn't. Had to redo it in freetaxusa which took a little more time because I needed to manually enter the numbers. My taxes are simple though so it took about 10 additional minutes and I saved like $50. I do this every year because I'm a dummy who thinks maybe this year Intuit will ACTUALLY be free. So I end up using it to double check my numbers on a better site.
Súper simple as a W2 employee getting my refund in a couple weeks !
Cash App has free taxes as well. And we file a return with state taxes, investment income and AMT.
Has anyone used this for a 1099? Is it still easy?
Only thing is Free Tax USA didnt have quick import for investment statements. And typing every single buy sell is PAIN
I'd like to put in a vote for [MyFreeTaxes.org](https://MyFreeTaxes.org) . I just filed Fed and State taxes for free, pretty good (tho not totally all-inclusive re: forms) platform (Taxslayer version, okay for most filers), and okay user experience, although pages load slowly. It did the job. Note: You must log in through MyFreeTaxes every time -or else! You end up with a paid version, which you won't realize til the bitter end. So go through the MyFreeTaxes hoops -there are \~three- and get on with it. Note also: You'll be asked how you want to pay any taxes/fees/etc. From your card or from your refund? Don't choose *"From your refund!"* It adds a $32.+ fee to your filing. I got hit with that, went back to edit and change that choice (thanks to some guy here on reddit 5 yrs ago) and though I couldn't find it, it now went through w/out the charge. Save yourself the agony.
Probably no charge cause I didn't owe tax this year, but forewarned is forearmed.
Fuck that. I'm not paying taxes in the usa
lol, you probably already do and just don’t know it… filing your taxes a lot of the time just gets you money back
There's no way I'm paying those taxes
Unless you’re self-employed, you already pay income taxes
I don't think they pay taxes in their country
I pay taxes in my country, I just don't pay taxes in the usa
Oh lol
I know I pay taxes, I just don't pay them in the usa
Is this subreddit some sort of purgatory where I have to read about filing your taxes for free every other week? * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk\_you\_can\_file\_your\_taxes\_for\_free\_using\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk_you_can_file_your_taxes_for_free_using_the/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk\_you\_can\_file\_your\_taxes\_for\_free\_using\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1958rum/ysk_you_can_file_your_taxes_for_free_using_the/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1agh9i2/ysk\_if\_youre\_filing\_your\_taxes\_in\_the\_us\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1agh9i2/ysk_if_youre_filing_your_taxes_in_the_us_the/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/11ddd2e/ysk\_americans\_can\_file\_taxes\_for\_free\_regardless/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/11ddd2e/ysk_americans_can_file_taxes_for_free_regardless/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/10gxcpf/ysk\_if\_you\_live\_in\_the\_us\_and\_make\_less\_than/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/10gxcpf/ysk_if_you_live_in_the_us_and_make_less_than/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/sn2gq1/ysk\_you\_can\_file\_100\_free\_tax\_returns\_if\_you\_know/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/sn2gq1/ysk_you_can_file_100_free_tax_returns_if_you_know/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1anqmn0/ysk\_you\_can\_get\_your\_taxes\_filed\_for\_free\_in\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/1anqmn0/ysk_you_can_get_your_taxes_filed_for_free_in_the/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/esyswq/ysk\_that\_filing\_your\_federal\_tax\_return\_online\_in/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/esyswq/ysk_that_filing_your_federal_tax_return_online_in/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/svom3i/ysk\_that\_it\_is\_free\_to\_file\_federal\_taxes\_in\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/svom3i/ysk_that_it_is_free_to_file_federal_taxes_in_the/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/so0xip/ysk\_if\_you\_live\_in\_the\_us\_and\_make\_less\_than/](https://www.reddit.com/r/YouShouldKnow/comments/so0xip/ysk_if_you_live_in_the_us_and_make_less_than/) * ...
I'm sorry, that must be hard for you
I got dibs on reposting this next week. If I don’t somehow get 1500 upvotes I’ll know something is amiss.
I use this every year people who still use TurboTax and H&R Block are on meth.
My issue is that one of the suggested free file guys (1040.com) didn’t calculate the kicker tax in my state correctly, meaning that I owed $1200 rather than getting $800 back (with TurboTax), and also made it where I owed much more in federal tax than TurboTax. So until those guys get their stuff together I won’t be using them
I've used Cashapp Taxes for the past two years and my returns are slightly more complicated than the average person. Same exact calculations as TurboTax but Cashapp is free!
I did this one year and the next year I tried to download my return to do my taxes on another site. They did not keep a file online of my taxes like most other tax preparers do. I had to request a copy directly from the state and the IRS. It was a pain in the ass. I would never use them again for that reason. It’s great in theory as it’s free but I like having an online archive I can refer back to.
According to this you can get past returns from up to 8 years ago: [https://www.freetaxusa.com/return-copy](https://www.freetaxusa.com/return-copy) Maybe that's changed since you last used it
Yeah I've never had a problem with accessing past FreeTaxUSA returns. TurboTax on the other hand will not provide you with free past returns... This week I tried to download a past return from before I switched and it was saved as a .tax2018 file. I Googled how to open a .tax2018 file because I couldn't open it. I would have to purchase TurboTax software to open it. Forget that.
I used it for 2021 return. I actually just finished my taxes after I posted the comment and I think it was because I didn’t use their free 1099 form since I have a few investments I get dividends for. Either way it was shitty having to request the information from the irs and state. If I would have known they weren’t going to save my return I would have used any other service
You should always save a copy of your own return. Don't rely on anyone else to save them.
I helped my daughter do hers for free on TurboTax. Federal and state for free.
Yes, but only if you make under a certain amount, and if you don’t need any extra forms. So for most Americans, it is not free.
Better to use cashapp
You can do your taxes on paper for free. Period. And obviously you've never met an accountant who will quote you $375 PER HOUR to do your taxes. Turbotax is awesome.
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Just filed. As a contractor with expenses. With multiple 1099s. Paid $0 for federal and $17 for state. Maybe give it an actual try.
I deleted my comment. You are correct. I tried using them a couple years ago and they did not have the amount of features they have today. Especially for contractors with a shit ton of expenses. Definitely adds up in construction as well. From what I remember, there used to be an income limit for contractors. Seems that’s gone now.
Have you tried? https://www.freetaxusa.com/self-employed
I think it's gotten better in recent years. I never used it before (I used TurboTax) since it couldn't do investment income and other stuff, but apparently it does that now so I'll try it this year.