How to file my tax return for free without paying a dime - determined to avoid costs

I know the irony in my question isn't lost on me, but I'm on a mission here. Every year TaxAct gets more aggressive pushing me to upgrade to their paid version. This year they're blocking me from filing unless I pay $59 for their premium package just because I'm trying to claim the retirement savings contribution credit (Form 8880). That $59 is about 3 hours of my pay, and I'm willing to spend that much time figuring out how to avoid paying. The credit would add about $250 to my refund, so definitely worth claiming. But filling out an actual paper 1040 seems intimidating since I've always used online services. Is the hassle of learning how to file manually worth saving $59? Are there any truly free services that won't force me to upgrade when I enter my retirement contributions? Or should I just give in and pay the stupid fee to finish my taxes quickly? I've already spent an hour looking into alternatives and getting increasingly frustrated. What would you do in my situation?

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18 comments

Ravi Sharma

•8M

You absolutely don't need to pay anything to file taxes with retirement savings credits! The IRS Free File program is specifically designed for this situation. Go to IRS.gov and look for "Free File" options. If your adjusted gross income is under $73,000, you qualify for completely free filing through their partner companies. The key is to start through the IRS website, not directly on the tax company's site - this ensures you get the truly free version without upsells. For your specific situation with Form 8880 (Retirement Savings Contribution Credit), both FreeTaxUSA and TaxSlayer through the IRS Free File program will handle this completely free. I personally recommend FreeTaxUSA as they're straightforward and don't play games about "upgrading" for specific forms. Alternatively, if you're comfortable with a bit more work, the IRS Free Fillable Forms option lets you complete everything online for free regardless of income, though you'll need to know which forms to fill out.

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Ravi Sharma

•8M

Not all Free File options support every tax credit, which is why I specifically mentioned FreeTaxUSA and TaxSlayer for the retirement savings credit. Each provider has slightly different offerings, but these two definitely support Form 8880 at no cost. Yes, you'll still get direct deposit with any of these options! The refund process works exactly the same as with paid services - you enter your bank information and the IRS deposits your refund directly. The only difference is you're not paying for the filing service itself.

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Omar Zaki

•8M

After dealing with the exact same frustration, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it honestly saved me so much hassle. I was also trying to claim my retirement contributions without paying ridiculous fees. Their system automatically detected all my forms including the retirement savings contribution credit without trying to upsell me. The thing I liked best was uploading my previous return and having it pull all my information automatically. No tedious data entry like with the free IRS forms, and no surprise "upgrade now" popups when I got to my retirement contributions. For someone who values their time but doesn't want to pay filing fees, it was perfect.

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Omar Zaki

•8M

They do handle state returns at no additional cost! That was actually one of my main concerns too. I filed both federal and state without any surprise charges. They're IRS-authorized and fully secure. From what I understand, they have a freemium model where basic filing is free, but they offer premium services for complex situations like self-employment or investment properties. For standard W-2 income with retirement contributions like what we're discussing, it stays completely free. I was worried about data security too, but they use the same encryption standards as banks.

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Chloe Martin

•8M

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai from my earlier question. I decided to try it despite my skepticism, and I'm genuinely impressed. It handled my retirement savings contribution credit with no issues and completely free. The document scanning feature saved me at least an hour of manual data entry compared to the IRS fillable forms. For anyone facing the same issue as the original poster - this worked perfectly for my situation. The interface was actually more straightforward than TurboTax which I've used for years. I kept waiting for the "upgrade now" popup but it never came. Just filed my return yesterday and already got the acceptance confirmation from the IRS.

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Diego Rojas

•8M

If you're having issues with the IRS Free File options like I did (some are really confusing), you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I used them when I needed to speak with an actual IRS agent about my retirement savings credit questions. The IRS phone lines were impossible to get through on my own - I tried for literally 3 days. Claimyr got me connected with an IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for hours on my own. There's a good demo video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The agent I spoke with walked me through exactly which free filing option would work for my situation with the retirement credit, and it saved me both the $59 fee and hours of frustration.

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Diego Rojas

•8M

It's actually pretty straightforward - they use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When they reach an agent, they call you and connect you directly. No magic, just technology doing the waiting for you. I was also skeptical at first, which is why I mentioned the video demo. I'm not suggesting this instead of free filing options - I'm suggesting it as a way to speak with the IRS directly if you have questions about which free option is right for your specific situation with the retirement savings credit. The agent I spoke with gave me personalized advice that saved me from making a mistake on my return.

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Sean O'Donnell

•8M

I need to apologize for my skeptical comment earlier. After struggling with the IRS website for hours yesterday and getting nowhere with my retirement contribution questions, I broke down and tried Claimyr. I hate admitting I was wrong, but it actually works exactly as described. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes who explained exactly how to file with the retirement savings credit for free. They directed me to the specific Free File option that would work for my situation without upselling me. Would have taken me days to figure this out on my own if ever. Sometimes spending a little to save a lot makes sense, even though I was resistant to the idea.

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Zara Ahmed

•8M

Another completely free option is VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). They have IRS-certified volunteers who will do your taxes for free if your income is under $60,000. They handle retirement contribution credits no problem! I've been volunteering with them for 3 years. You can find locations near you on the IRS website. Most libraries and community centers host VITA sites during tax season. Bring your documents and they'll do everything for you. It's completely free and they're trained specifically on credits like the one you're trying to claim.

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Zara Ahmed

•8M

Most VITA sites require appointments, especially this late in the tax season, but some do accept walk-ins. I'd strongly recommend calling ahead to schedule and ask what documents you need to bring. As for time, it typically takes about 45-60 minutes for a return with a retirement savings credit. That's much faster than learning to do it yourself, especially the first time. The biggest advantage is having someone who knows exactly what they're doing handle your specific situation - they can spot potential issues and maximize your refund while ensuring everything is done correctly.

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