7.2/ 10 SCORE FreeTaxUSA Tax Service Pros
100% free federal tax submitting
Supports most federal tax kinds
Transparent pricing
Clean interface and navigation
Lets you import many tax paperwork
Cons
Fee for state tax returns
No choice for reside tax assist
No choice to have a professional put together or file your return
A variety of tax software program helps you to file free within the easiest tax conditions. But then they push you into paying for an upgraded tier all through the submitting course of — otherwise you uncover proper earlier than you file that it’s important to pay for a service you thought was free.But FreeTaxUSA stands out as a result of it has 4 distinct packages, all of which allow you to file federal returns free — however state submitting and extra options value additional.The finest tax software program can cut back the time and prices related to submitting however you need to tread fastidiously. No one likes to be shocked by hidden prices proper earlier than they file. And in the event you make an error, you can get hit with IRS penalties, overpay your tax invoice or miss out on the most important refund doable.Below, I’ll break down the place FreeTaxUSA stands out, the place it falls brief, who it really works finest for and the way it stacks up in opposition to the competitors.I’m a licensed monetary planner and a private finance author who’s been protecting taxes for nearly a decade. And let’s be clear: I hate submitting my taxes as a lot as you do. It’s time-consuming and sometimes costly. The National Taxpayers Union Foundation estimates that the common American taxpayer will spend 13 hours and $290 to file their 1040 return.To simplify issues because the April 15, 2026, deadline for submitting 2025 returns approaches, I examined seven main tax software program packages, together with huge names like TurboTax and H&R Block, in addition to some lesser-known choices, like Cash App Taxes and TaxSlayer. I evaluated every utilizing the next: Price and affordability, eligibility and use circumstances, expertise and ease of use, options, skilled help and tax skilled entry.FreeTaxUSA: Pricing and affordability (10/10)We gave FreeTaxUSA an ideal 10/10 for its free federal submitting service, affordable state submitting charges and clear disclosure of add-on pricing. The clear and clear pricing is how all tax software program must be. FreeTaxUSA says federal tax submitting is at all times free, though it gives two paid tiers that present larger ranges of help. Note that the essential tier already consists of all of the options you could file your federal taxes — together with ones that could be thought-about “premium” with different providers — no matter your scenario. With the upper tiers, you’re paying solely for the extra buyer help or skilled assist. If you’re snug DIY-ing your taxes, you may file free even in the event you’re itemizing deductions, you’re a contractor or enterprise proprietor or you will have funding earnings.Filing a federal tax extension can also be free.Tier construction comparabilityTierWho can use itWhat’s includedBasic: $0Anyone who must file a federal return.Free federal submitting however customer support is proscribed to e-mail and an in-app help middle.Deluxe: $7.99Anybody who must file a federal return.Everything that’s included within the Basic package deal however consists of precedence buyer help, reside chat and limitless amended returns.Pro Support: $44.99Anybody who must file a federal return.Everything that’s included within the Deluxe package deal however consists of skilled tax assist, cellphone help and reside screensharing. When I rated FreeTaxUSA and different tax submitting providers on pricing and affordability, I didn’t simply contemplate the prices. Discovering a slew of hidden costs after you’ve spent hours in your return is among the many most exasperating elements of tax submitting so I additionally checked out transparency and less-than-upfront prices.One of my favourite issues about FreeTaxUSA is how simple it’s to know the pricing. You gained’t be pressured to improve, even when your tax scenario is a bit difficult, and add-ons are clearly disclosed. You’ll solely have to shell out for a dearer tier if you would like further help.State submitting chargesFreeTaxUSA doesn’t cost for federal returns (though upgraded help ranges can be found). But you’ll pay a $15.99 price to file state returns. Despite the price, it’s nonetheless on the decrease finish of its rivals.ServiceState submitting priceCash App Taxes$0 (restricted to 1 return)FreeTaxUSA$15.99H&R Block$37 for paid plans, $0 in the event you qualify totally free tax filingJackson Hewitt$0 (flat price consists of federal and state)TaxAct$39.99TaxSlayer1 free state return in the event you qualify for the merely free plan; $39.99 for all different plansTurboTax$0-$69 ($0 in the event you qualify for a free federal return)Hidden prices and upgradesThere aren’t many hidden prices or upgrades with FreeTaxUSA however there are a number of choices that value additional:Audit protection help: Costs an additional $19.99.Pay submitting charges together with your refund: $24.99.Pay taxes with bank card: 2.5% of whole due.Unlimited amended returns: $16.98 for present 12 months returns, $17.97 for prior 12 months returnsProfessionally printed or sure return: $8.96 (printed) or $17.96 (sure)Prior 12 months returns (2018-2024): $0 for federal, $17.99 for stateFreeTaxUSA: Eligibility and use circumstances (7/10)No tax submitting service is ideal for each scenario. FreeTaxUSA works nicely for a lot of particular person filers nevertheless it has a number of limitations.FreeTaxUSA will get a 7/10 on total eligibility as a result of it helps a formidable vary of tax kinds and conditions with out requiring an improve to a paid model.Simple filers (Standard deduction)Like most really free tax submitting providers, FreeTaxUSA works finest for easy filers who take the usual deduction. It makes use of a step-by-step interview course of to information you thru the submitting fundamentals and flag potential oversights. For instance, after I mentioned my submitting standing was single and tried to say a dependent, it instructed head of family as the proper standing. It additionally helps greater than 350 tax credit and deductions.You can nonetheless use FreeTaxUSA in the event you’re itemizing or are submitting less-common tax kinds, nevertheless it’s constructed with easy filers who take the usual deduction in thoughts. Based on my prompts, it instructed head of family as the proper standing for me. FreeTaxUSAInvestment earnings (Schedule D)FreeTaxUSA offers help for Schedule D submitting to report capital positive aspects and losses. You can manually enter the knowledge out of your 1099-B kind that you simply obtain out of your brokerage or you may add a PDF. That’s a key benefit over Cash App Taxes, which additionally offers 100% free federal submitting however requires handbook enter of most 1099-B kinds. However, FreeTaxUSA’s import function for 1099-Bs continues to be in beta mode as of December so I’d advocate checking all the main points fastidiously.The help for funding earnings is OK, significantly for filers who solely place the occasional inventory or crypto commerce. High-volume merchants can get round among the handbook knowledge entry by summarizing their long-term and short-term capital positive aspects and losses. But when you’ve got a lot of inventory or crypto trades, contemplate a service like TurboTax that allows you to import knowledge straight out of your brokerage. If you will have extra complicated varieties of funding earnings, like share gross sales from an worker inventory buy plan (ESPP), it’s finest to make use of a service that gives specialised steering.There are a number of investment-related conditions that aren’t at present supported by FreeTaxUSA. For instance, whilst you can report worker inventory buy plan (ESPP) gross sales out of your 1099-B, it doesn’t help getting into ESPP earnings that’s taxable as extraordinary earnings however isn’t included in your W-2.Self-employment/small enterprise (Schedule C)FreeTaxUSA absolutely helps Schedule C submitting for individuals who freelance, have self-employment earnings or personal a small enterprise in its free package deal. You can now add or snap a photograph of your 1099-NECs, which could be a large time-saver in the event you’re a full-time freelancer who’s inundated with these kinds at tax time. But as with the 1099-B import function, it’s nonetheless in beta mode so that you’ll need to double-check the information that’s robotically populated earlier than you file. FreeTax USA now permits you to add and fix a 1099 to connect to your Schedule C. FreeTaxUSARental properties and superior kindsFreeTaxUSA helps submitting for rental properties and lots of much less frequent tax conditions, together with Schedule E for rental earnings, royalties and partnerships Okay-1 earnings. You also can use the software program to trace bills associated to rental property, calculate depreciation and mortgage curiosity and deal with associated deductions. The service additionally helps international tax credit if the earnings is reported on a 1099-INT, 1099-DIV or Okay-1. However, FreeTaxUSA doesn’t at present help Form 2555, which is used to report international earned earnings.FreeTaxUSA: User expertise and ease of use (8/10)Filing your taxes is a headache even below the most effective of circumstances, however a poor consumer expertise solely provides to the ache. Fortunately, FreeTaxUSA is pretty simple to make use of, particularly in the event you’re solely submitting fundamental tax kinds. FreeTaxUSA’s interface could also be fundamental, nevertheless it’s clear and straightforward to make use of, which is why it will get an 8/10 on this class.Onboarding and knowledge ImportThe preliminary onboarding is pretty painless. You can import a previous 12 months’s tax return to have it autofill the knowledge, or you may manually enter it. You also can add your W-2 or snap a photograph of it and add it to avoid wasting time. FreeTaxUSA is increasing the import function to many different tax kinds, like 1099-Bs.Interface and navigation The FreeTaxUSA interface makes issues easy whereas guiding you thru the method. FreeTaxUSAFreeTaxUSA’s interface isn’t fancy nevertheless it’s easy and straightforward to navigate. The guided interview is straightforward to know and ensures you’re not lacking out on any tax breaks, like often-overlooked tax credit and deductions. It’s additionally simple to modify between sections or revisit a earlier part with out shedding the knowledge you’ve supplied. There are occasional nudges to improve to a paid model or function however I didn’t discover them overly intrusive.Mobile and desktop submitting expertiseYou can full all the submitting course of from begin to end utilizing FreeTaxUSA’s desktop service or its cellular app. I discovered each variations to be secure and responsive. While cellular submitting normally often isn’t an issue for easy tax submitting, I’d advocate sticking with desktop submitting when you’ve got a whole lot of tax kinds as a result of it’s simpler to examine for errors.FreeTaxUSA: Features (6/10)Most FreeTaxUSA options are fairly fundamental however that’s anticipated for a service that gives free submitting for a variety of tax conditions.FreeTaxUSA has fundamental options, like a last accuracy examine and most error assure, nevertheless it will get a 6/10 on this class as a result of it gives few extras.Final overview/accuracy examineFreeTaxUSA does a last examine to ensure your return is full and correct earlier than you file. There’s a 100% accuracy assure that guarantees if its calculations are inaccurate, you’ll be reimbursed for any IRS or state penalties and curiosity you incur. Like its rivals, FreeTaxUSA’s accuracy assure doesn’t apply in the event you make a mistake whereas submitting your taxes.Error checkingAs you put together your return, FreeTaxUSA checks the knowledge in actual time. You’ll get a yellow alert if one thing appears to be like off and a purple alert if there’s an error that you could appropriate earlier than transferring on to the following part.Audit threat evaluationFreeTaxUSA doesn’t supply audit threat evaluation, nevertheless, you should buy audit protection from their third-party accomplice, Protection Plus, for a further $19.99. You’ll obtain help from a workforce of CPAs and enrolled brokers (EAs) for 3 full years (for federal returns) or 4 years (for state returns) after you file in the event you’re audited by the IRS or your state’s taxing authority.Tax steering and schoolingFreeTaxUSA gives restricted steering and schooling within the type of hover-over ideas that information you thru every part of your return. There’s additionally a searchable information base that gives steering about fundamental tax matters and the way to use FreeTaxUSA.Maximum refund assure If a rival submitting service does a greater job, FreeTaxUSA will refund your buy. FreeTaxUSAIf you get a bigger refund or a smaller tax invoice from a rival submitting service, FreeTaxUSA will refund your buy and offer you a code to file a free amended return. However, in the event you didn’t get the utmost refund since you made an error, the assure doesn’t apply.Additional optionsFreeTaxUSA is gentle on further options. There’s no AI tax help function, refund advance choice or reside tax help. However, in the event you’re simply looking for fundamental free submitting, you in all probability don’t want a whole lot of bells and whistles.FreeTaxUSA: Expert help or tax skilled entry (5/10)FreeTaxUSA gives fundamental entry to buyer help through e-mail, plus an in-app assist middle for common tax questions. However, like different tax providers, FreeTaxUSA makes you pay for entry to a professional.FreeTaxUSA gives entry to tax professionals by way of its Pro Support package deal, nevertheless it solely will get a 5/10 as a result of it doesn’t provide the choice to have a professional put together or file your return.Review of reside help choicesThe $7.99 Deluxe package deal will get you entry to precedence buyer help and reside chat. But if you would like entry to a licensed public accountant (CPA) or enrolled agent (EA), you’ll want to decide on the Pro Support package deal for $44.99. With Pro Support, you may contact a professional by cellphone to ask questions and get personalised tax recommendation. You also can use reside screenshare with Pro Support. While you will get steering in your federal and state taxes, you’ll nonetheless want to organize and submit your return by yourself. FreeTaxUSA doesn’t provide the choice to have a tax professional file or signal your tax return.You can schedule a name with a tax professional from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time Monday by way of Saturday from Jan. 2 by way of April 30. Off-season hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time Monday by way of Friday, excluding holidays.Final verdictFreeTaxUSA helps a surprisingly broad variety of tax conditions with its free model. Although you’ll have to pay for extra help, costs are disclosed upfront and shouldn’t trigger any surprises. The software program will get two thumbs up for its ease of use and easy navigation. While it’s not the only option for many who need skilled tax steering, it’s a strong alternative for many DIY filers.FreeTaxUSA Score BreakdownCriteriaCNET rating out of 10Price and affordability10/10Eligibility and use cases7/10Experience and ease of use8/10Features6/10Expert help/Tax skilled access5/10Total rating 7.2/10Methodology: How we take a look at and consider tax software programWe examined every platform on cellular and desktop utilizing the identical fundamental tax eventualities. Here’s what we thought-about for every of the 5 classes.Price and affordabilityWe checked out every worth tier and the way it stacked up in opposition to rivals’ comparable choices. Availability of a free choice was vital, however we additionally thought-about the chance {that a} consumer may truly file free with out being pressured to improve. We additionally checked out how clear every service was with their pricing. Services misplaced factors in the event that they didn’t clearly disclose prices of add-ons upfront. Eligibility and use circumstancesWe examined every software program utilizing the identical fundamental submitting eventualities, together with easy submitting with a W-2 and the usual deduction, itemized returns, funding earnings, rental earnings and small-business/self-employment filings. We gave most factors when a service may deal with a broad vary of submitting conditions with out requiring intensive handbook enter or calculations. Experience and ease of useThe finest tax submitting providers make getting ready your return so simple as doable. To consider expertise and ease of use, we regarded on the setup course of (together with whether or not you can simplify the setup course of by importing final 12 months’s tax return or importing your W-2). We additionally thought-about whether or not the service makes submitting simpler with an easy-to-understand interview course of. Each software program misplaced factors for issues that make for a poor consumer expertise, like a complicated navigation or requiring customers to begin over in the event that they downgraded to a less-expensive tier.FeaturesMany tax software program packages have an array of instruments to make sure your return is correct and maximize your refund. We have high scores on this class for providers with sturdy error-checking instruments, audit protection providers, a most refund assure and an choice to obtain an advance in your refund.Expert help and tax skilled accessPretty a lot each submitting service helps you to DIY your return, however typically you want skilled steering. We gave high factors to providers that provide entry to a CPA, EA or different tax professionals, in addition to those who present easy accessibility to customer support and technical help.Scoring methodEach class obtained a rating on a scale of 1 to 10. The total rating was an evenly weighted common of every class, primarily based on efficiency relative to rivals and the wants of typical DIY filers, in addition to these with frequent submitting conditions that require additional steering or entry to a tax skilled.