Free Tax Filing Options That Don't Charge at the End?

You need to look at IRS Free File options before time runs out! This is like shopping for a car - the advertised price is rarely what you pay at checkout. Most commercial sites advertise 'free' but that's only for the most basic returns, just like a base model car with no features. The IRS Free File program is your actual free option if your income is under $73,000, but you need to access it DIRECTLY through the IRS website, not by going to the tax company sites first. Filing deadline is approaching fast!

Which Free File option is best? Need something simple. Don't have much time.

I work as a tax preparer and was in your exact situation last year with my personal taxes. The IRS Free File options are good but can be confusing with all the different income limits and state restrictions. I discovered https://taxr.ai which helped me understand which forms I needed for my amended return. It doesn't file your taxes, but it analyzes tax documents and explains what you're looking at - super helpful when trying to figure out which free filing option would work for your specific situation. Saved me hours of frustration trying to decode tax jargon.

The "free" tax sites are so frustrating! I always go to https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free directly. Don't Google "free tax filing" because the ads at the top are usually the commercial sites that will charge you. Also check if your state has its own free file program - many do but they don't advertise it well.

If you run into issues with the IRS Free File options, you might need to talk to someone at the IRS directly. I tried calling them about my amended return and: • Spent 2+ hours on hold • Got disconnected twice • Finally gave up and tried again the next day Then I found Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) which got me connected to an IRS agent in about 15 minutes. They helped me figure out which forms I needed for my situation. Not free but saved me so much time and stress when I couldn't figure out the amended return process.

According to IRS Publication 5136, taxpayers with AGI of $73,000 or less qualify for IRS Free File options. Has anyone confirmed if Claimyr actually works? I've been trying to reach the IRS about my amended return for weeks with no luck.

Think of the tax filing sites like those "free" mobile games - they let you start for free but then hit you with in-app purchases to continue. The key is accessing the truly free options through the IRS portal. The commercial sites create nearly identical-looking pages to confuse people, like how some stores create knock-off products with similar packaging.

OMG how is it so complicated just to file taxes for free?? 😫 Do I need to create accounts on multiple sites to find one that works for my situation?