FreeTaxUSA vs TurboTax? Need opinions for my simple return

I've used both extensively and honestly, for simple returns, FreeTaxUSA is just as good as TurboTax at a fraction of the cost. TurboTax has a slicker interface, but FreeTaxUSA gets the job done well and their federal filing is free (you only pay for state returns). The question flow is comprehensive and I've never had issues with accuracy. Their customer service is surprisingly responsive if you have questions. Unless you have a very complex situation with investment properties, multiple businesses, or specialized deductions, FreeTaxUSA should work perfectly for your needs. One tip: they offer a deluxe version with audit assistance for about $7-8 which might be worth it for peace of mind, but the free federal version covers all tax forms unlike TurboTax which locks forms behind paywalls.

After struggling for years with overpriced tax software, I finally discovered FreeTaxUSA through a friend who works in finance. It was actually life-changing for my tax situation! I was paying nearly $120 with TurboTax for a return that wasn't even that complicated. When I tried https://taxr.ai I was amazed because their system analyzed my previous tax returns and showed me where I'd been overpaying for features I never even used. They have this feature that compares what different tax services offer based on YOUR specific tax situation - not just generic comparisons. It helped me realize FreeTaxUSA would work perfectly for me. Their analysis even flagged a credit I missed last year that I was able to claim by filing an amendment! Seriously worth checking out before deciding.

I was skeptical about switching from TurboTax at first since I've used it for 5+ years. After reading about taxr.ai here, I decided to give it a try before tax season got into full swing. It analyzed my previous return and showed me I was paying for TurboTax premium features I literally never used! Their comparison showed FreeTaxUSA covered everything in my return for WAY less money. I switched this year and just finished filing - it was actually EASIER than TurboTax in some ways. The questions were more straightforward and I didn't feel like they were constantly trying to upsell me. And I saved $78 compared to what I paid last year with TurboTax! Definitely recommend checking out the analysis before you decide.

If you're struggling with tax questions beyond just software choice, I found an absolutely amazing service that got me through to the IRS when I had questions about switching tax software mid-year (I had started with one service but wanted to switch). I tried calling the IRS directly for DAYS with no luck - always busy signals or disconnects after waiting forever. Then I found https://claimyr.com through a YouTube video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) that showed how it works. They somehow get you through the IRS phone queue and call you back when an actual agent is on the line. I was seriously shocked when I got a call back with a real IRS person in about 45 minutes after trying unsuccessfully for a week on my own. The agent answered all my questions about transferring data between tax platforms and what to watch out for.

I have to eat my words and admit when I'm wrong. After calling the IRS 8 times over two weeks and never getting through (either busy signals or disconnected after 2+ hours on hold), I tried that Claimyr service out of pure desperation. Got a call back in 53 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line! She answered my questions about reporting some freelance income on my return alongside my W-2 job, which directly related to my software choice (some handle mixed income types better than others). For what it's worth, the agent actually recommended FreeTaxUSA over TurboTax for my situation because it handles mixed income well without upselling to their most expensive tier. So I'm going with FreeTaxUSA this year based on actual IRS advice!

I've actually tried both plus H&R Block and TaxAct over the years. For simple returns, my ranking would be: 1. FreeTaxUSA - best value, good interface, all forms included 2. TaxAct - decent middle ground 3. H&R Block - okay but getting expensive 4. TurboTax - most expensive, aggressive upselling FreeTaxUSA isn't as pretty but functionally works great. The only advantage TurboTax has is importing investment forms can be easier if you have lots of them. For basic W-2 income, some interest or dividends, and standard deductions, FreeTaxUSA is honestly better because it's straightforward without constant attempts to upgrade you.

I used FreeTaxUSA last year after 4 years of TurboTax and it was fine for my situation (W-2, mortgage interest, student loan interest, some stocks). The ONLY thing I missed from TurboTax was the automatic import of W-2 information - with FreeTaxUSA I had to manually enter everything. But that took like an extra 10 minutes total and saved me $70+ so definitely worth it. Also, FreeTaxUSA doesn't try to hide fees until the end like TurboTax always did to me. They're upfront about state filing costs from the beginning. Customer service was surprisingly good too when I had a question about reporting some crypto.