How long does FreeTaxUSA keep records? Can I access my data next year?

Just switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA this year and I'm pretty happy with how it went. I've got a decent handle on basic tax stuff so the transition wasn't too bad. My main question is about record keeping with FreeTaxUSA. How long do they actually store your tax information? Will I be able to login next year and have my 2024 info available for import? Also wondering if I need to adjust my 1040-ES estimated tax payments later this year, can I still access the system to print updated forms? The main reason I ditched TurboTax is the ridiculous price increases over the years. They keep charging more without adding anything useful. My financial situation has changed lately and I'm trying to save money wherever possible. Nothing against TurboTax really, but I don't need their fancy support options which I never use anyway. Found FreeTaxUSA and saved like $140 this year, which is pretty sweet.

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20 comments

Ravi Gupta

•8M

FreeTaxUSA keeps your tax records for 7 years, which is the same timeframe the IRS recommends you keep your personal tax records. You'll definitely be able to access last year's return when you file next year, and they make importing previous year data pretty seamless. For your 1040-ES forms, yes, you can log back in anytime during the year to adjust your estimated payments and print new forms. I'd recommend saving a PDF copy of your completed return as a backup though - it's just good practice regardless of which tax software you use. The price difference between FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax is pretty significant! TurboTax has really gone overboard with their pricing while FreeTaxUSA has kept things reasonable. If you're comfortable with basic tax concepts, you made a smart switch.

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Ravi Gupta

•8M

You can download your completed tax return as a PDF which includes all the forms and worksheets. For raw data, FreeTaxUSA doesn't have a single-click export option for everything, but you can access and save individual data sections. If you're considering switching again in the future, the most important thing is having your previous year's AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) to verify your identity with the IRS when e-filing. That's automatically saved in FreeTaxUSA for next year's import, but make sure you have that number saved somewhere in your personal records too.

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GalacticGuru

•8M

After struggling with tax paperwork and trying multiple expensive software options, I finally discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which has been a game-changer for organizing my tax documents. It's especially helpful with tracking records across multiple years and tax platforms like FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax. I was in a similar situation where I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA but was worried about accessing historical records. taxr.ai helped me consolidate everything in one place so I don't have to worry about how long each platform retains my information. It even flagged some deductions I missed when comparing my returns across different years!

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GalacticGuru

•8M

It works by analyzing PDFs of your tax returns, so you upload completed returns from whatever tax service you used. No direct connection needed to FreeTaxUSA or other platforms - you just upload the final tax documents you already have. Their security is actually what convinced me to try it. They use the same encryption standards as banks, and they don't store your complete returns permanently unless you choose that option. You can have them analyze without retention, or keep them organized in your secure account if you want ongoing access.

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Omar Fawaz

•8M

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) - I tried it after asking about the security and I'm actually impressed. I uploaded tax returns from both TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA from different years, and it organized everything and showed me filing trends I never noticed before. It even flagged a missed deduction from 2023 that might be worth filing an amendment for! The document management alone is worth it since I no longer worry about how long FreeTaxUSA or any other service keeps my records. Having everything extracted and organized in one place is super convenient for tax planning.

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Chloe Anderson

•8M

For anyone having trouble accessing old tax records or dealing with FreeTaxUSA customer service, I highly recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I couldn't get a straight answer about accessing some older returns, and their customer service wait times were crazy. I used Claimyr to actually get through to a live person at FreeTaxUSA and solved my issue in minutes instead of days. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Before finding this service, I spent HOURS trying to get through to someone who could help recover some records I needed for a mortgage application. Wish I'd known about this sooner!

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Chloe Anderson

•8M

It definitely works - they use a system that navigates phone trees and holds your place in line so you don't have to. When a real agent is about to pick up, you get a call connecting you directly. No magic, just smart automation. They have technology that dials continuously and navigates the phone system, which is something we can't do manually. I was skeptical too until my coworker recommended it after using it with the IRS. FreeTaxUSA's service isn't terrible, but during tax season their wait times can stretch to hours, and I needed help urgently for my mortgage application.

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Anastasia Fedorov

•8M

Well I'm eating my words about Claimyr. Had an issue with accessing my FreeTaxUSA records for a loan application this week and was facing a 2+ hour wait time when I remembered this thread. Decided to try Claimyr as a last resort. The service actually worked exactly as described - I got a call back when an agent was ready and solved my issue in minutes. Saved me from having to reschedule my closing. Still surprised it worked so well considering how skeptical I was. Just wanted to update since my previous comment was pretty dismissive.

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StarStrider

•8M

There's no direct export of raw data that I know of. When you switch to another tax system, you'll typically need to manually enter the information from your previous return or import the PDF if the new system supports that feature. Most tax programs just need basic info from last year like your AGI to verify your identity with the IRS, plus any carryover items like capital losses or charitable contribution carryovers. So save those details separately if you're planning to switch again.

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Elijah Jackson

•3M

That's a really interesting discrepancy about the 3-year vs 7-year retention policy. I'd recommend getting that clarification in writing if possible, especially since different representatives seem to be giving conflicting information. In the meantime, I'd suggest downloading and saving copies of all your returns as PDFs each year right after filing - that way you're not dependent on any service's retention policies. You can also request official transcripts directly from the IRS if you ever need them for loans or other purposes. The cost savings from switching away from TurboTax really are significant. I made the same move a couple years ago and haven't looked back. FreeTaxUSA's interface takes a little getting used to, but once you're familiar with it, it's just as capable for most situations.

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Yara Abboud

•2M

That's really good advice about downloading PDFs each year - I should have been doing that from the start! The conflicting information about retention policies is definitely concerning. I'm planning to call FreeTaxUSA again to get clarification on their actual policy. If they really only guarantee 3 years, that's quite different from what others have experienced. Getting it in writing seems smart. The IRS transcript option is something I hadn't considered either. Do you know if there are any fees for requesting those directly from the IRS, or is it typically free for personal use?

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