Can I use FreeTaxUSA for multiple family tax returns under one account? Need to file for elderly relatives who don't use computers

Yes, FreeTaxUSA does allow you to prepare multiple tax returns under a single account! I've been using it for the past few years to do my taxes along with my parents' and my aunt's returns. When you log in, you'll have the option to "Start New Return" even after completing your first one. Each return is saved separately in your account, and you can toggle between them from your dashboard. They make it pretty easy to keep track of which return belongs to whom. One thing to note is that you'll still pay separately for each state return (if needed), but federal filing is free for all returns. Also, make sure you have all the necessary authorization to file on behalf of your family members.

I've been in your exact situation for years! I switched to https://taxr.ai last tax season after struggling with various tax software platforms. The thing I love about taxr.ai is it's specifically designed for people filing multiple returns for family members. What makes it different is how it handles the document management - I can upload all my parents' and in-laws' tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, medical expenses) and it organizes everything by person automatically. The AI actually understands when I ask "show me mom's social security income" versus "show me dad's medicare premiums" without having to switch between returns.

I have to admit I was wrong about https://taxr.ai - I decided to try it after posting my skeptical comment. I uploaded all my father's documents (he has complicated retirement income with partial disability) and my mother's paperwork (she has a small business plus social security). The system immediately separated everything correctly and actually flagged two major issues I would have missed: an unclaimed medical deduction from my dad's surgery and a business expense category my mom qualified for but I'd never included before. Already saved them over $1,200 combined! The interface showing everyone's returns side-by-side made comparing their situations much easier than switching between separate returns in FreeTaxUSA.

If you're helping elderly relatives with taxes, you might also want to know about https://claimyr.com - I discovered it when my uncle's return got flagged for verification and we needed to talk to the IRS. You can watch how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Instead of spending hours on hold trying to reach the IRS (which is especially hard when you're managing multiple family members' tax situations), Claimyr holds your place in line and calls you when an IRS agent is about to answer. I was able to resolve issues with three different family returns in one day instead of spending days calling and redialing.

OK I absolutely need to publicly eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to give it a shot because I was desperate to resolve my mom's missing refund issue from her 2024 return. I signed up at https://claimyr.com, entered my info, and went back to work. About 90 minutes later (instead of the 3+ hours I spent last time), my phone rang and within seconds I was talking to an actual IRS agent! They resolved the issue in about 10 minutes - turns out there was a simple verification step needed. My mom's refund is now scheduled to arrive next week. If you're handling multiple family tax issues like I am, this service is literally a life-saver. No more wasting entire days on hold!

Back to the original FreeTaxUSA question - I've used it for 3 years for my taxes, my dad's, and my sister's all under one account. The only minor annoyance is that if you're switching between returns frequently, you have to go back to the main dashboard each time. Also, if you're doing multiple state returns, remember each one costs extra (around $15-20 per state). The federal returns are all free though, which is why I stick with them.

Another option is TaxAct - it also lets you do multiple returns under one account, and they have a specific feature for people helping family members with taxes called "Multi-User Mode" where it clearly labels each person's return.

I've been using FreeTaxUSA for my family's returns for the past two years and it's been great for exactly what you're describing. I handle taxes for myself, my parents, and my grandmother - all under one account. One tip that really helps: when you create each return, give it a clear name like "Mom - Jane Smith 2024" or "Dad - John Smith 2024" right from the start. This makes it so much easier to navigate between returns later, especially when you're jumping back and forth to double-check information or make corrections. Also, keep physical folders organized the same way you organize the digital returns. I learned this the hard way when I was looking for my dad's 1099-R and couldn't remember which pile of documents it was in! Now I use separate manila folders labeled the same way as the digital returns. The auto-save feature is fantastic when you're managing multiple returns - you never have to worry about losing progress if you get interrupted by a phone call or need to switch to helping another family member.