1: Free Tax USA
https://www.freetaxusa.
2: Cash App Taxes (Formally Credit Karma Tax)
https://cash.app/taxes
3: OnlineTaxes
https://olt.com/
4: MyFreeTaxes (for AGI $89,000 or less)
https://myfreetaxes.com/
5: IRS Free File: Do your Taxes for Free (for AGI $89,000 or less)
https://www.irs.gov/file-your-taxes-for-free
https://irs.treasury.go
6: IRS Free Fillable Forms: Do your Taxes for Free (no AGI limit)
https://www.irs.gov/e-file-provid...able-forms
List of states with free state e-file directly on their website [thefinancebuff.com]
(requires transferring data from your tax software to the state website)
You can apply Amazon digital credits to save even more (YMMV). However it only applies to the "normal" listing; NOT the GC offer.
Top Comments
TT strongly pushes Premier and Home & Business but the fact is that TT Deluxe can handle every situation that these more expensive versions can. The only exception that I am aware of is the ability to create W2 and 1099 forms for employees in H&B.
Deluxe has everything for all investment types, everything for owners of rental properties, everything for self-employed (1099-NEC/Schedule C filers), everything for those who do itemized deductions.
The higher versions offer more guidance but Deluxe has all the forms required and will still walk you through all of it.
Note that Turbotax Online is completely different, Deluxe Online is purposely limited forcing more complex returns to use the more expenisve Online versions than Deluxe.
Community Reviews
TurboTax Deluxe desktop is the main value pick here for people who want guided tax prep with brokerage imports, stock sales, and even many rental or self employment returns without paying for Premier. The desktop version is praised for handling multiple federal returns, keeping data local, and offering clearer interview style guidance than online. The biggest catch is Windows 11 support, since Windows 10 is no longer compatible. State e file still costs extra, and some complex K 1 or business cases may still need more hand holding.
Common Questions (6)
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!
848 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Don't pay Intuit, who just spends your money lobbying to make it hard to file your taxes so you keep paying them.
Don't pay Intuit, who just spends your money lobbying to make it hard to file your taxes so you keep paying them.
There are now 8 companies on the IRS's free tax file list. FreeTaxUsa is one of them. However, they're all income means tested.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Though I'm running TurboTax on Windows 11, I'm thinking of going back to Windows 10 (and eventually Linux or MacOS) because Windows 11 is becoming ever more intrusive by forcing updates and (opt-out?) AI agents on the user. I will need to check which other applications will stop working.
Tell me you like wasting hundreds of dollars without telling me you waste hundreds of dollars.
ChatGPT confirms this 100%. Key point is the last line.
When you would want an accountant
You generally only need one if you have:
Rental property
A side business / 1099 income
Significant investments, stock options, RSUs, or complex capital gains
Multiple states with complicated residency issues
Trusts, estates, or large tax planning needs
If you're just working a job and getting paid a salary → software is optimal.
I'll keep coming out ahead by 1000's every year. You can keep on keeping on...paying more taxes.
I'll keep coming out ahead by 1000's every year. You can keep on keeping on...paying more taxes.
There are now 8 companies on the IRS's free tax file list. FreeTaxUsa is one of them. However, they're all income means tested.
As far as handling municipal bonds and foreign tax credits, it seems to work just about as well as TT. You can see a basic comparison here, with screenshots:
Municipal bonds: https://thefinancebuff.
Foreign Tax Credit: https://thefinancebuff.
State tax free US Treasuries Interest: https://thefinancebuff.
If your income meets IRS Free File requirements, there are 8 choices, as you noted. But I did want to clarify that FreeTaxUSA is not just for those below a certain income. They have free federal for all, regardless of income, with a $16 fee for state filing. OLT is similar, but the state fee is only $10. Those without state tax don't have to pay those fees. And then there's Cash App Taxes, which is free federal and state for everyone, although it's not quite as comprehensive as the other two.
As far as handling municipal bonds and foreign tax credits, it seems to work just about as well as TT. You can see a basic comparison here, with screenshots:
Municipal bonds: https://thefinancebuff.
Foreign Tax Credit: https://thefinancebuff.
State tax free US Treasuries Interest: https://thefinancebuff.
If your income meets IRS Free File requirements, there are 8 choices, as you noted. But I did want to clarify that FreeTaxUSA is not just for those below a certain income. They have free federal for all, regardless of income, with a $16 fee for state filing. OLT is similar, but the state fee is only $10. Those without state tax don't have to pay those fees. And then there's Cash App Taxes, which is free federal and state for everyone, although it's not quite as comprehensive as the other two.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!