FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA is an online service for preparing and e-filing federal and state tax returns. Federal filing is free for all tax situations, with no income limits or required upgrades; state filing is a paid add-on. The service supports income and deductions related to investments, rental property, self-employment, education, home ownership, and dependents, and says it covers more than 350 credits and deductions. Users can import W-2s and 1099s or upload a prior-return PDF from several tax services. Filing tools include IRS e-file, direct deposit, printable returns, prior-year information import, and free extension filing. FreeTaxUSA says it encrypts data, restricts and monitors access to its physical servers, meets or exceeds IRS security requirements, and does not sell tax return information. Basic help is available by email and in its in-app support center. The service works on the web and mobile devices. It does not support foreign employment income on Form 2555, nonresident alien returns, or filings by customers or preparers living outside the United States.

FreeTaxUSA covers a broad range of federal tax situations and includes import and filing tools. Check the stated eligibility limits and account for the separate state-filing add-on.

FreeTaxUSA may suit people filing federal returns involving investments, rental property, self-employment, education, home ownership, or dependents. State filing is a paid add-on, and the service is not suited to the listed unsupported foreign-income and nonresident situations.

Overview

FreeTaxUSA is an online service for preparing and filing federal and state tax returns. It best suits US filers with investment, rental, or self-employment income who want broad federal form coverage without paying for federal preparation. Its main trade-off is that state filing and enhanced support are separate paid options.

Key features

Federal filing is free across tax situations, with no income limits or forced upgrades. Support spans investments, rental property, self-employment, education, home ownership, and dependents, alongside more than 350 credits and deductions. That breadth makes it a practical option for filers whose returns would push many free competitors into a paid tier.

W-2 and 1099 imports, as well as PDF imports of prior returns from TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Cash App, and OLT, can cut down on re-entering information. IRS e-file, direct deposit, a printable return, prior-year information import, and free extension filing cover the core filing workflow. Basic support comes by email and through the in-app support center; FreeTaxUSA says replies typically arrive within half an hour.

FreeTaxUSA says it encrypts data, limits access to physical servers, monitors them around the clock, meets or exceeds IRS security requirements, and never sells tax-return information. Audit support is available, with a separate Audit Defense option that specifies three years of federal and four years of state coverage.

There are firm boundaries for some filers: the service does not support foreign employment income reported on Form 2555, nonresident alien returns, or filing by customers or preparers living outside the United States. Those exclusions make it a poor fit for certain international tax situations.

Pricing

The federal tax return plan includes supported federal forms, e-file, and a printable return. Federal filing is free for all tax situations, so filers do not need to buy a higher federal tier to access the stated form coverage.

State tax return preparation, state e-file, state-specific deductions and credits, and direct deposit are grouped in a separate state return plan. The state filing add-on is the key cost to account for if you need to submit a state return; its price is custom pricing.

Deluxe Support adds live chat, priority support, and unlimited amended returns, while Pro Support adds tax pro advice, phone and chat support, and a ProCheck final review. These options are for filers who want more direct assistance or a review, rather than broader federal form access. Both have custom pricing. Audit Defense is another separate option with three years of federal and four years of state coverage, also at custom pricing. There is no free trial.

Platforms

FreeTaxUSA is available on the web, Android, and iOS. Its mobile access supports filing away from a desktop, while the web version provides another way to complete a return.

Who it's for

Choose FreeTaxUSA if you have a US tax return involving investments, rental income, self-employment, education, home ownership, or dependents, and want to keep federal preparation free. It is also suited to filers who can use the supported document imports and do not need more than basic support.

Look elsewhere if you have foreign employment income on Form 2555, are a nonresident alien, or live outside the United States while filing. Filers who need state filing should also compare the total cost after the state add-on, and those who want phone advice or a final professional review should weigh the separate support plans.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Federal filing is free across tax situations, including self-employment, investment, and rental income, without income limits or forced upgrades.
• Pro: W-2, 1099, and prior-return PDF imports can reduce data entry for users moving from several major tax services.
• Pro: Free extension filing and prior-year information import add useful tools beyond the return submission itself.
• Con: State preparation and e-file are separate paid options, so a state return adds cost to the otherwise free federal filing.
• Con: Foreign employment on Form 2555, nonresident alien returns, and filing by people living outside the US are unsupported.
• Con: Live chat, priority help, phone support, amended returns, and ProCheck review require separate support plans with custom pricing.

Alternatives

H&R Block Online is a fit for simple tax situations when its free plan's Form 1040 coverage is enough; its free plan is billed per state filed, while FreeTaxUSA supports broader federal situations without income limits or forced upgrades.

CloudTax offers a free self-guided option for basic returns, capped at two returns, and supports Android and iOS. Choose it if that return limit and mobile-only platform coverage suit you; FreeTaxUSA covers a broader range of federal tax situations.

TaxSlayer is worth considering if a free plan limited to one federal and one state return matches your needs, or if its Classic plan's stated $47.99 per state return fits your cost comparison.

TaxDown offers a free simulation to calculate a return and see the result; choose it if that is all you need before selecting a paid plan to file.

Meu Imposto de Renda is another free option, with restrictions on certain income and payments for online and mobile declarations.

TurboTax Canada is an alternative tax-preparation service.

H&R Block Tax Software Canada is an alternative tax-preparation service.

WISO Steuer lets users try all functions and pay only when submitting a return; its test version is free.

Browse more options in Personal Tax Software or Tax Preparation Software.

Verdict

FreeTaxUSA is a strong choice for US filers with more than a basic income return who want comprehensive federal preparation at no cost. Its broad situation coverage and import tools are the main reasons to choose it; the state-filing charge, separately priced support, and international filing limits are the reasons to look elsewhere.