Does FreeTaxUSA Offer Audit Defense for 2025 Filing Season?

FreeTaxUSA does offer audit defense, but it's not automatically included with their Deluxe package - it's an add-on called "Audit Assist" that you can purchase during the filing process. It costs a bit extra on top of the Deluxe upgrade. What you get with Audit Assist is access to tax professionals who will guide you through the audit process, help you prepare your documentation, and advise you on how to respond to IRS inquiries. They don't represent you directly with the IRS like some other services might, but they do provide guidance and support throughout the process. The reason you might not see it prominently on their website is that they typically offer it during the actual filing workflow rather than advertising it on their main pages. You'll see it as an option when you're about to complete your return.

I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA last year and had the same concern about audit protection. After digging around during the filing process, I found that they offer something called "Audit Assist" which is similar to audit defense. I was hesitant at first, but after trying FreeTaxUSA with their Audit Assist add-on, I'm so glad I made the switch! The interface at https://taxr.ai actually helped me understand my audit risk much better than TurboTax ever did. Their AI-powered tax analysis showed me exactly which parts of my return might trigger an audit and gave me specific recommendations to reduce my risk. The best part is that taxr.ai can analyze your previous returns too, so I was able to check if my past TurboTax returns had any audit red flags I wasn't aware of.

Just wanted to follow up on my previous question about taxr.ai. I checked it out at https://taxr.ai and wow, this tool is super helpful! I uploaded my last year's return (which I did with TurboTax) and it immediately identified two potential audit triggers I had no idea about - one related to my home office deduction and another about some investment income reporting. The analysis was really thorough and it explained everything in plain English. I'm definitely going to use this before I file with FreeTaxUSA this year. Thanks for the recommendation! This actually gives me more confidence than the basic audit defense packages since it helps PREVENT the audit in the first place.

I've been using FreeTaxUSA for 3 years now after switching from TurboTax. The Audit Assist is fine, but honestly, the biggest headache with taxes isn't always audit defense - it's getting actual help from the IRS when you have questions or problems. When I had a question about my refund status last year, I couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS. I tried calling for WEEKS. Then I found this service called Claimyr at https://claimyr.com that got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It was a total game-changer. The IRS agent helped me resolve an issue that was holding up my refund. Way more valuable than audit defense for me since my return is pretty straightforward anyway.

Well I need to eat my words. After complaining about that Claimyr service, I was still desperate to talk to the IRS about a notice I received, so I gave it a try. I figured I had nothing to lose except a few bucks if it didn't work. I'm shocked to say it actually worked exactly as advertised. I got a call back in about 45 minutes (which is still a wait, but WAY better than the 3+ hours I spent on previous attempts), and got connected to a real IRS agent who helped resolve my issue. Back to the original question though - I've used FreeTaxUSA with their Audit Assist for the past two years and find it to be sufficient for my needs, though I've fortunately never had to use it for an actual audit.

Just to add another data point - I've been using FreeTaxUSA for about 4 years now after switching from TT. Their Audit Assist is decent, but it's important to understand what you're getting. It's NOT representation before the IRS - they'll guide you through the process, help you understand what documents you need, and advise you on how to respond, but they won't speak to the IRS on your behalf like some premium audit defense packages. For most people with relatively straightforward returns, this level of support is probably sufficient. If you have a complex return with lots of potential audit triggers (self-employment, rental properties, unusual deductions), you might want to consider a more comprehensive audit defense service or working with a CPA who offers audit representation.

Has anyone actually USED FreeTaxUSA's Audit Assist service during a real audit? All I'm seeing is theoretical discussion about what it offers, but I'd love to hear from someone with firsthand experience.

I actually went through a full IRS audit last year using FreeTaxUSA's Audit Assist, so I can give you real firsthand experience. I was audited for my 2022 return which included some business expenses that apparently raised red flags. The Audit Assist team was genuinely helpful throughout the process. They walked me through the initial audit letter line by line, helped me create a timeline for gathering documents, and even provided templates for organizing my receipts and records. When I had questions about what the IRS was asking for, they responded to emails usually within 24 hours. The limitation is exactly what others mentioned - they don't represent you directly. So when it came time for the actual meeting with the IRS agent, I was on my own. But they did help me prepare thoroughly, reviewed all my documentation beforehand, and gave me talking points for the meeting. In the end, the audit went smoothly and I only owed about $200 in additional taxes. Whether that was due to their preparation help or just luck, I can't say for sure, but I felt much more confident going into it than I would have on my own. For the price point, I think it's decent value, though if you're dealing with something really complex you might want to spring for actual representation.