I finally made the switch to FreeTaxUsa and can't believe I waited so long

I've been doing my taxes for years with one of those big-name software companies that shall remain nameless (but we all know who they are). Every year it felt like the prices kept creeping up, and I'd end up paying like $150+ just to file my taxes which aren't even that complicated! I'm a regular W-2 employee with a side gig that brings in about $8,700 annually, so I need to file a Schedule C, but nothing crazy complex. This year I was about to just go with my usual software when my brother mentioned FreeTaxUsa. I was skeptical at first because I always assume you get what you pay for, but holy crap, was I wrong! The interface was actually more straightforward than what I was used to, and they walked me through everything step by step. The best part? It cost me a fraction of what I normally pay. And they didn't do that annoying thing where they try to upsell you every 5 minutes or hide the real cost until the very end. My refund amount came out exactly the same as when I did a test run on my old software. I'm kicking myself for not making the switch years ago. Could have saved myself hundreds of dollars! Anyone else make the switch recently or have good experiences with FreeTaxUsa? Or are there other affordable options I should know about for next year?

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20 comments

Zainab Omar

•8M

Tax preparer here. FreeTaxUSA is definitely one of the better options for self-filers who have slightly more complex situations than the absolute basics. They handle Schedule C well for small business income, and their interface is designed to be comprehensive without overwhelming you. A few things to keep in mind: FreeTaxUSA is great for federal returns, but they do charge a small fee for state returns (still much cheaper than the big names). Also, if you have very complex situations like multiple rental properties, complicated investments, or multi-state filing requirements, you might want to consider comparing the results between multiple software options or consulting with a tax professional. One tip for anyone switching tax software: always keep PDF copies of your previous years' returns. Having that information readily available makes it much easier to ensure consistency year over year, especially for things like carryover losses, depreciation schedules, or basis calculations.

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Zainab Omar

•8M

Audit protection is generally overpriced for what you get. Most people with straightforward W-2 and small side hustle income have very low audit risk. The protection mainly provides guidance through the process rather than financial coverage for any taxes owed. If you're accurately reporting your income and keeping good records of your expenses, you're already doing the most important audit protection work. Instead of paying for that add-on, put that money toward an organized filing system for your receipts and business documents.

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Yara Sayegh

•8M

I switched to FreeTaxUSA last year after using TurboT** for nearly a decade, and it was such a game changer! I have a similar situation with W-2 income plus a side business, and I was amazed at how straightforward everything was. When I got stuck trying to figure out how to properly deduct my home office expenses, I discovered https://taxr.ai which really helped me understand which deductions I qualified for. The tool analyzed my situation and gave me personalized recommendations based on my specific circumstances. It was like having a tax pro looking over my shoulder but for way less money. Between FreeTaxUSA and taxr.ai, I ended up saving over $1,200 on my return compared to last year!

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Yara Sayegh

•8M

It's very specific - you upload your documents or enter your info, and it analyzes everything line by line, telling you exactly where each expense belongs on your return. For my side business, it clearly separated what goes on Schedule C versus personal itemized deductions, which was always confusing for me. They use the same tax code rules and regulations that CPAs follow. While they don't offer audit guarantees themselves, they provide detailed explanations for every recommendation so you understand why certain deductions apply to your situation. This documentation alone makes me feel much more confident if I ever had to explain my deductions to the IRS.

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NebulaNova

•8M

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and WOW. I've been struggling with my cryptocurrency transactions and wasn't sure how to report them. The tool automatically categorized all my crypto trades and explained exactly how they should be reported. It saved me hours of research and probably prevented me from making some serious mistakes on my return. When I imported everything into FreeTaxUSA, it all flowed perfectly. Definitely using both again next year!

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Paolo Conti

•8M

FreeTaxUSA is great until you have an issue and need to talk to the IRS! I tried calling them about an error on my previous year's return and spent THREE DAYS trying to get through. Finally discovered https://claimyr.com and they got me connected to an IRS agent in under 20 minutes. You can actually see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was ready to give up and just accept that I might have filed incorrectly, but after actually speaking with someone, I found out I was eligible for an additional credit that I missed. Definitely keeping this service in my back pocket for future tax seasons!

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Paolo Conti

•8M

It uses an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. When an agent is about to pick up, it calls you and connects you directly. It saves you from having to sit on hold for hours, which is what happens when you try to call yourself. It's definitely not a scam. I was super skeptical too, but it actually works. The IRS is severely understaffed, and they get millions of calls daily during tax season. This service just ensures you don't waste hours of your life on hold. It's basically like having someone wait in line for you.

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Keisha Williams

•8M

I owe everyone here an apology - especially the Claimyr folks. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS about a notice I received. I've called at least 15 times over the past month with no luck. Used the Claimyr service yesterday afternoon and was speaking with an actual IRS agent in 17 minutes! The agent was able to confirm that the notice was sent in error and that I don't owe the additional $1,430 they were claiming. I just saved myself a ton of stress and potentially money by actually being able to talk to someone. Lesson learned about being too quick to dismiss things as scams.

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Oliver Schulz

•8M

Agree with everyone about FreeTaxUSA! For anyone who's used to TurboTax, there's definitely a bit of an adjustment to the interface, but it's totally worth it. One thing I noticed is that their explanations of tax concepts are actually clearer than the bigger companies. Make sure you enter everything in the same order as your previous returns though. I got confused when my AGI came out different until I realized I had entered some investment income in a different section than I did last year.

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Oliver Schulz

•8M

Yes, I got exactly the same refund amount. I actually ran my return through both systems to compare (without paying for the other one) and the numbers matched to the penny. The tax code is the tax code - as long as you enter the same information, you should get the same result regardless of which software you use. FreeTaxUSA just doesn't charge you an arm and a leg for the privilege of filing your taxes, and they don't hide the federal free option like some other companies do. Their interface might not be as polished, but it gets the job done accurately.

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Zainab Omar

•8M

Yes, FreeTaxUSA can handle multi-state returns. You'll need to pay for each state filing (around $15 per state when I last checked), but that's still significantly cheaper than most competitors. The system will walk you through allocating your income between states based on where it was earned. Just make sure you have your W-2s from both states handy, and possibly your previous year's returns if you worked in the same states before. The software does a good job of guiding you through the process.

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Freya Christensen

•2M

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been using H&R Block online for the past 4 years and watching my filing costs go from around $80 to over $160 this year. I also have W-2 income plus some freelance work that requires Schedule C, so our situations sound very similar. I've been hesitant to switch because I'm worried about missing something or making a mistake, but reading everyone's experiences here is really encouraging. The fact that you got the same refund amount when you tested both systems is reassuring. One question - did you have any trouble importing your previous year's tax information, or did you have to start fresh and re-enter everything? That's always been my biggest concern about switching software mid-stream.

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