1: FreeTaxUSA
(100% free for AGI $45,000 or less through FreeFile, Federal + State)
(no income limit, free federal, $15 for state)
https://www.freetaxusa.
2: Cash App Taxes (Formally Credit Karma Tax)
(no income limit, free federal and free state)
https://cash.app/taxes
3: OnlineTaxes (OLT.com)
(100% free for AGI $45,000 or less through FreeFile)
(no income limit, free federal, $10 state)
https://olt.com/main/home/default.asp
4: MyFreeTaxes
https://myfreetaxes.com/
5: IRS Free File: Do your Taxes for Free (for AGI $79,000 or less)
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-f...s-for-free
https://irs.treasury.go
6. New Pilot for 2024: IRS Direct File
only supported in some states, limited functionality for this pilot
https://directfile.irs.
7. IRS Free Fillable Forms
(no income limit, federal only, not full featured software)
https://www.irs.gov/e-file-provid...able-forms
Download vs online tax software comparison [thefinancebuff.com]
- Download Deluxe supports nearly everything that Premium does, including investments, real estate, self-employment, etc. The marketing from H&R Block is confusing here.
- When using download/desktop software, your data stays local, which is probably more secure (but make sure you have a backup!)
- Download includes 5 federal e-files and virtually unlimited printed returns.
- Downloaded state software allows preparation of state tax forms, but state e-file is an additional $20 per state. You can print and mail for virtually nothing. It is $40 to download the software for each additional state.
- Some states [thefinancebuff.com] allow free e-file on their dept of revenue website
- Online allows you to work from any device
- Online stores a copy of your tax return in the cloud for archival purposes and also next year's taxes
One major advantage of H&R Block & TurboTax, download or online, is that they support importing 1099 forms from banks and brokerages. While this is definitely useful and can save some time, you often have to enter your passwords in their software, which some people are not comfortable with. With 1099 investment income, you can often enter aggregate data [hrblock.com] and not list each trade individually, which makes this much less painful that you might think.
Privacy concerns
Tax prep companies are required by law to get your consent before they can share your personal information with 3rd parties. If you are concerned about this, I recommend reading the privacy policies and/or license agreements from each company. Of course, you can avoid this issue altogether by using downloaded desktop software where your data stays on your local computer only.
IRS FAQs Related to Strengthened Taxpayer Control over Tax Information [irs.gov]
"The general rule expressed in both the 1974 regulation and the 2007 regulation is that taxpayers – not the government - control their tax information. No tax information can be disclosed or used without taxpayer consent."
FreeTaxUSA Terms of Use [freetaxusa.com] "We do not and will not sell your information to third parties."
OLT.com privacy policy [olt.com] "Specifically, we do not share, sell or rent your Personal Information to third-party advertisers, "spammers", or anyone else who we know will use it for their own advertising or marketing purposes."
Cash App Taxes Privacy Policy [cash.app] - This one is a little more vague, read it carefully.
H&R Block and TurboTax online DO sell your personal information with your consent...but you can opt-out. See here [washingtonpost.com] for more details. Their free versions are quite limited and they also use deceptive marketing practices to try to upsell you to more expensive products. Both have been in trouble with the FTC for their deceptive marketing tactics.
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The premium version doesn't come with the State filing?
Premium comes with State tax software. However, while Federal e-filing is free, State e-filing will attract additional cost except in New York State.
To avoid State e-filing fee, you can check with your State to see if they have free filing website. Alternatively, you can just print and mail your State returns.
The premium version doesn't come with the State filing?
I contacted CS about it and they were no help. They basically said it shouldve attached or prompted you to attach but it didnt.
Now I guess I wait and see if its a big deal or not? Not sure what I should do since its my first time having to file that form.
I contacted CS about it and they were no help. They basically said it shouldve attached or prompted you to attach but it didnt.
Now I guess I wait and see if its a big deal or not? Not sure what I should do since its my first time having to file that form.
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Is TurboTax similar to H&R Block, in that the software is downloaded via a link and can be downloaded to multiple computers?? And can the TurboTax software be installed and used without a key? H&R Block has this feature, in that the software can be downloaded to different computers and installed. The key or code only comes in to play when one actually needs to electronically file through H&R Block's servers, to the IRS.
I would like to try to Turbo Tax, to compare it to H&R Block, but would like some input as to how the install of the software is completed and the key/code for installation.
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After using taxcut/hrblock for nearly 20 years I am glad I switched.
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