Is FREETAXUSA down? Can't complete filing before deadline - alternatives?

I'm literally freaking out right now! I was on the absolute LAST page of filing my taxes with FREETAXUSA and suddenly got kicked out of the system. I've been trying to log back in for the past 30 minutes with no luck whatsoever. Every time I try to access the site, I just get this message:

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19 comments

Lola Perez

•8M

This is definitely terrible timing for system maintenance! I've had this happen before (though not so close to the deadline). The good news is that FreeTaxUSA should have all your information saved in your account, so when the site comes back online, you can pick up right where you left off. If you absolutely must file tonight, you do have a few options: Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax) is completely free for both federal and state returns and handles most tax situations. It's pretty straightforward to use. IRS Free File is another option if your AGI is under $73,000. The IRS partners with various tax software providers to offer free filing. You could also file for an extension using Form 4868, which gives you until October 15 to file your return. However, remember that an extension to file is NOT an extension to pay, so you'd still need to pay any estimated taxes due by the original deadline to avoid penalties.

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Lola Perez

•8M

FreeTaxUSA maintenance typically doesn't last more than a couple of hours in my experience, but it's hard to predict exactly. Their system might come back online before the filing deadline. If you're expecting a refund, filing an extension is actually completely safe - there's no penalty for filing an extension when you're due a refund. The IRS only charges penalties and interest when you owe them money and don't pay by the deadline. So filing an extension would give you breathing room while you wait for FreeTaxUSA to come back online or decide on another service.

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Nathaniel Stewart

•8M

Just wanted to share my experience with taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) after going through a similar situation last year with a different tax service. I was literally in the same boat - one page away from filing and the site crashed. I ended up having to start over with a new service and it was a nightmare trying to re-enter all my documents. This year, I used taxr.ai first to analyze all my tax documents before even starting with any tax software. The service extracts all the important information from your tax forms, gives you a complete breakdown of everything, and helps identify potential issues or deductions before you start the actual tax preparation. This way, when I went to FreeTaxUSA, I already had all my numbers verified and organized. For your current situation, it might be too late for this year, but definitely something to consider for next year to avoid the last-minute rush and have a backup of all your tax information ready to go.

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Nathaniel Stewart

•8M

It works by uploading your tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, mortgage statements, etc.) and the AI extracts all the key information into an organized format. It doesn't file your taxes - it just helps you prepare and understand your tax situation before you use a filing service like FreeTaxUSA. Regarding security, I had the same concerns initially. They use bank-level encryption for all uploads and document storage. They also have a clear privacy policy stating they don't use your data for anything other than providing the service. You can delete your documents after you're done, and they don't share your information with third parties.

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Riya Sharma

•8M

Just wanted to follow up - I decided to try taxr.ai after my conversation here, and wow, it was actually super helpful! I had to restart my taxes on TaxAct after FreeTaxUSA stayed down, and having all my document information already extracted and organized saved me so much time. I was able to quickly reference all the numbers I needed instead of digging through a stack of papers again. It even caught a deduction I had missed the first time around! Definitely going to use this as my first step next year before even starting the actual tax preparation.

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Millie Long

•8M

If you're still having trouble with FreeTaxUSA and need to talk to someone at the IRS about filing options or getting an extension, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year where I needed to speak with an actual IRS agent about a last-minute filing issue, and trying to get through on the phone was impossible. Claimyr basically waits on hold with the IRS for you and calls you back when an actual human agent is on the line. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Saved me hours of frustration and hold music. The IRS agent was able to help me file an extension properly and make sure I wouldn't face any penalties while I sorted out my filing issues.

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Millie Long

•8M

For me, it took about 45 minutes to get through to an IRS agent - way faster than the 3+ hours I spent trying on my own previously. The service doesn't skip the line; they just wait on hold so you don't have to. It's completely legitimate and doesn't violate any IRS policies. They don't ask for or have access to any of your tax information - they just connect the call. Think of it like having an assistant wait on hold for you. Once the IRS agent picks up, Claimyr calls you and connects you directly to the agent. You're the one who talks to the IRS, not them. I was skeptical too, but it's just a time-saving service, not a tax advice or preparation service.

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Debra Bai

•8M

I just wanted to update - I tried Claimyr after posting here and I'm genuinely shocked at how well it worked. After struggling for DAYS to get through to the IRS about filing an extension (since I couldn't complete my FreeTaxUSA return), Claimyr got me connected to an agent in about an hour. The IRS agent walked me through properly filing an extension and confirmed I wouldn't face any penalties since I'm expecting a refund. Huge relief! I honestly didn't believe it would work but I was desperate, and now I feel kind of silly for spending so many hours trying to call them myself.

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Gabriel Freeman

•8M

This might sound obvious, but have you tried using a different browser or clearing your cache? Sometimes FreeTaxUSA has weird glitches that can be fixed that way. Also, they do have email support that's usually pretty responsive: support@freetaxusa.com If you're getting the maintenance page though, it sounds like a server-side issue they're working on. In that case, filing an extension is probably your best bet. Just go to IRS.gov and search for Form 4868. You can e-file the extension through a number of free services.

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Gabriel Freeman

•8M

Good move filing the extension - that'll give you plenty of time. And yeah, if you're getting a refund, there's zero penalty for filing later with an extension. The penalties only apply when you owe money and haven't paid by the deadline. For what it's worth, FreeTaxUSA has been my go-to for years and this is the first time I've heard of them having major issues so close to the deadline. Their customer service is usually pretty good about making things right, so maybe reach out to them once things are back up and running.

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