FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing and $14.99 state filing for individuals, including small business owners, active military and veterans. But it doesn’t support less-popular forms like 2555s, 1040NRs or 6198s.
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FreeTaxUSA review
Edited by Holly Jennings
- Federal starting price
- $0
- State returns starting price
- $14.99
Our verdict
Offers free federal returns and $14.99 state returns.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to file taxes this year, FreeTaxUSA may be a no-brainer. Unlike other services, it doesn't try to upsell you as you go through the filing process, and you can import old tax returns from TurboTax, H&R Bock and TaxAct.
But it doesn't have phone support, so you're limited to email or live chat if you buy the deluxe version. And you'll pay $14.99 for state returns.
Pros
-
Free federal returns
-
Low-cost state returns
-
Import old tax returns
Cons
-
Not 100% free
-
No phone support
-
Doesn’t support all tax forms
How much does FreeTaxUSA cost?
FreeTaxUSA only has two plans:
- Free Edition. This plan features $0 federal returns and $14.99 state returns.
- Deluxe Edition. For an additional $7.99, you can live chat with customer support, get audit assistance and file unlimited amended returns.
At the end of the filing process, you’ll pay $14.99 for your state return and an additional $7.99 if you chose the optional deluxe service. You can choose to pay up front with a debit or credit card or elect to have it taken out of your tax return for an additional $19.99.
There are additional services offered, such as:
- Audit Defense. Audit experts will communicate with the IRS on your behalf for $19.99.
- Pro Support. You can get help filing your taxes with a tax expert, who can provide phone support, answer questions and offer personal tax advice, costing $49.99.
How do I pay?
There are two ways to pay your FreeTaxUSA filing fees:
- Debit or credit card
- Deducted from your federal refund
How do I get my tax refund?
You can get your tax refund one of two ways:
- Direct deposit
- Paper check via US mail
How do I open a FreeTaxUSA account?
Follow the steps below to sign up for a FreeTaxUSA account.
- Select Apply now.
- Select Start Free Return on the official FreeTaxUSA website.
- Select Create New Account and enter your email, username and password.
- Create your security questions and select Submit.
- Follow the steps to import old tax returns (optional) and select Continue.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you can start the filing process for the given tax year.
Who’s eligible to use FreeTaxUSA?
US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to use FreeTaxUSA, including:
- Self-employed
- Small business owners
- Military
- Landlords and rental property income
- Investors
Pros
Those who file taxes with FreeTaxUSA will enjoy the following perks:
- Free federal returns. File simple, basic and advanced federal tax returns for free.
- Low-cost state returns. State returns are $14.99, which is lower than other platforms.
- Import old tax returns. FreeTaxUSA lets you import old tax returns from TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct.
- No surprises. FreeTaxUSA has a straightforward fee structure and won’t try to upsell you through the filing process.
Cons
Before you file with FreeTaxUSA, watch out for these potential drawbacks:
- Not 100% free. Even though FreeTaxUSA advertises that it’s free, you’ll still pay to file your state return.
- No phone support. FreeTaxUSA only offers email support and live chat.
- Doesn’t support all tax forms. It doesn’t support foreign employment income, nonresident alien returns, at-risk limitations and Archer MSAs, among others.
FreeTaxUSA reviews and complaints
FreeTaxUSA is owned and operated by TaxHawk, so it doesn’t have its own Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. TaxHawk earns an A rating from the BBB, but it only has a 2.4 out of 5-star rating based on 14 customer reviews.
Of those reviews, customers love that FreeTaxUSA is cheap, easy to use and great at guiding you through the filing process. While most reviews praise FreeTaxUSA’s outstanding platform, some customers find its lack of phone support limiting.
Is FreeTaxUSA legit?
FreeTaxUSA is a legitimate company that’s been approved by the IRS as an e-file provider. It has filed over 43 million tax returns so far, according to the FreeTaxUSA website.
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FreeTaxUSA customer support
There are four ways to contact FreeTaxUSA customer support:
- Submit a support request through your account portal
- Submit a web support form on the website if you’re not a customer
- Email support@freetaxusa.com
- Start a live chat if you’re a Deluxe member
Frequently asked questions
How does FreeTaxUSA make money?
FreeTaxUSA makes money from its state return and deluxe edition fees.
How accurate is FreeTaxUSA?
FreeTaxUSA guarantees all calculations are 100% accurate.
Does FreeTaxUSA have a maximum return guarantee?
Yes. FreeTaxUSA has a maximum return guarantee.
Can I use multiple bank accounts for direct deposit of my refund?
Yes. You can choose to split your refund between multiple bank accounts on the Federal Direct Deposit of Refund screen.
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