Is FreeTaxUSA still free? Did they change pricing for state filing?

Wait so I need to go to the IRS website first and then click through to FreeTaxUSA to get the free state filing? I've been going straight to FreeTaxUSA.com all these years. No wonder I've been paying for state filing! Could you share the link to this IRS Free File portal?

Yes, that's exactly right! You need to start at the IRS Free File page to access the special version with free state filing. The direct link is: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free Once you're there, you'll see a tool that helps you find eligible Free File options based on your situation. If you qualify (generally AGI under $73,000), you can select FreeTaxUSA from the participating providers and you'll be directed to their Free File version which includes free state filing. This is different from their commercial offering you see when going directly to their website. I made this same mistake for years until a tax preparer friend explained it to me!

How exactly does taxr.ai work? Do I have to upload all my sensitive tax docs to some random website before I even start filing? Sounds kind of sketchy security-wise. How do I know they're not just mining my data?

Does taxr.ai actually file the taxes for you or does it just tell you which service to use? And how does it handle complex situations like self-employment or investment income? Most "free" services I've tried hit you with fees as soon as you have anything beyond basic W-2 income.

It doesn't store your documents permanently - they use the same security tech as the major banks. It just scans them to understand your tax situation and eligibility for free filing programs, then provides recommendations. All document analysis happens in your browser and they don't keep copies. Taxr.ai doesn't file your taxes for you - it analyzes your specific situation and then directs you to the genuinely free option that works for your situation (if eligible). It specifically looks for the tricks that tax software uses to upsell you. It handles complex situations great - that's actually where it shines most since it can identify which forms you need and which free services support those forms.

How is that even possible? The IRS phone system is a nightmare - I tried calling 5 times last month and never got through. How does this service actually get you to the front of the line? Sounds too good to be true.

This sounds like a paid promotion. Why would I pay a third party just to call the IRS? Couldn't I just keep calling myself until I get through? Or check the IRS website for the free file information instead?

It doesn't put you at the front of the line - it just waits in the queue for you. They use a system that keeps your place in line and only calls you when a human actually answers. The IRS queues can be 2+ hours sometimes, so instead of being stuck on hold, you can go about your day. The IRS website has general info, but when I needed specific clarification about my eligibility for the free programs, I needed to speak to someone directly. I was spending hours redialing and waiting on hold over multiple days with no success. For me, the time saved was absolutely worth it. I understand it's not for everyone, but if you value your time, it's an option.

Do you know if New York has something like this? I used FreeTaxUSA for federal last year but paid for the NY state filing. Would love to save that money this year!

Yes, New York does have a free filing option! It's called "NY Free File" and you can access it through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website. Like the IRS program, there are income limits (typically up to $73,000), but if you qualify, you can file your NY state return completely free. Just make sure you access it through the official state tax website and not through a tax prep company's site to ensure you get the truly free version. Some states are even better than others - for example, Massachusetts and California offer free filing with no income restrictions for many residents.

Thanks for the coupon tip! Just used it and saved a few bucks. Still wish the state was free like they used to advertise, but at least it's cheaper than TurboTax. I'm paying $11.24 after the discount instead of $14.99.

This is so frustrating but thank you for sharing your experience! I feel like I've been getting scammed for years without even knowing it. I've been a FreeTaxUSA user since 2019 and have paid the state filing fee every single year because I had no clue about the IRS Free File portal. It really does feel intentionally misleading - like they're counting on people not knowing about the free options. I just checked and my AGI has been well under $73k for the past three years, so I've been throwing away money on state filing fees when I qualified for free the whole time. Going to bookmark that IRS Free File link and make sure I start there next year. Thanks to everyone in this thread for finally clearing up the confusion! This community is a lifesaver.

Thank you so much for this clarification! As someone who's been trying to navigate this maze of tax filing options, having the updated income threshold is incredibly helpful. I didn't realize the AGI vs gross income distinction either - that's a game changer since my gross income is around $76k but after my 401k contributions and other deductions, my AGI is probably closer to $68k. The point about "complicated" taxes is also reassuring. I always assumed that having a 1099 from some freelance work would disqualify me from free filing, but it sounds like that might not be the case. Quick question - do you know if the Free File options through the IRS portal handle state taxes for ALL states, or are there some states that aren't covered? I'm in Texas (no state income tax anyway) but my partner is in Oregon and we're trying to figure out the best approach for their situation. Really appreciate you sharing your VITA experience with the community - it's exactly this kind of expert insight that makes these discussions so valuable!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program includes free state filing for most states, but not all. Each Free File provider (like FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct, etc.) covers different states, so you'll want to check which provider supports Oregon specifically when you go through the IRS portal. Since you mentioned Texas - you're right that there's no state income tax there, so that simplifies things for you! For your partner in Oregon, when they use the IRS Free File tool, it will show them which providers offer free Oregon state filing if they qualify income-wise. Oregon also has its own free filing option called "Oregon Free File" through the state's Department of Revenue website, which might be worth checking as an alternative if the IRS Free File providers don't work out for some reason. The 1099 freelance income definitely shouldn't disqualify you from Free File - we help people with that situation all the time in VITA. The main thing is just making sure your total AGI stays under the threshold. Your 401k contributions will definitely help bring that AGI down from your gross income!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but state tax filing depends on which software provider you choose and what your specific state offers. Most Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) will handle state returns for the majority of states, but there are a few exceptions. Oregon specifically is well-covered - FreeTaxUSA through the IRS Free File portal should handle Oregon state returns for free if you qualify income-wise. However, here's something interesting about Oregon - they actually have their own free filing option called "Oregon Free File" that works similarly to California's CalFile. You can access it directly through the Oregon Department of Revenue website. Sometimes the state's own program can be even better than going through a third-party provider. For your partner, I'd recommend checking both options: 1) FreeTaxUSA through IRS Free File portal for the all-in-one approach, or 2) FreeTaxUSA free federal + Oregon's own free state filing separately. The second option might give more flexibility but requires filing in two places. And yes, your 1099 freelance income shouldn't disqualify you from Free File at all - that's a very common situation we see in VITA and the software handles it just fine!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but for state tax filing, it depends on which provider you choose and which state you're in. Most of the Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) do cover Oregon for free state filing if you qualify for the program. However, since you mentioned your partner is in Oregon, they should definitely check out Oregon's own free filing options too. Oregon actually has a pretty good state tax website with free filing options that might be worth comparing. Sometimes the state's own system is easier to navigate than going through the federal Free File providers. For your situation in Texas, you're lucky - no state income tax means you only need to worry about federal! Your partner could potentially use the IRS Free File route for both federal and Oregon state, or mix and match (federal through Free File, Oregon through the state's system) depending on which interface they prefer. One tip from our VITA program: if someone has both W-2 and 1099 income, they should definitely still try Free File first before assuming they need paid software. The 1099 income usually doesn't disqualify you unless it's a really complex business situation with lots of deductions and expenses.

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but for state tax returns, it depends on which provider you choose and which state you're in. For Oregon specifically, most of the Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) do support Oregon state returns when you access them through the IRS portal. However, Oregon also has its own free filing option called "Oregon Free File" that you can access directly through the Oregon Department of Revenue website, which might be worth checking out as an alternative. Since you mentioned Texas - you're right that there's no state income tax there, so your partner in Oregon is the only one who needs to worry about state filing options. One tip from our VITA training: when you're on the IRS Free File page, there's actually a tool that lets you filter the available providers by your state to see which ones support your specific state's tax return. This can save you time versus trying different providers only to find out they don't handle your state. The 1099 income from freelance work definitely shouldn't disqualify you from Free File - we help people with that situation all the time. Just make sure you have all your 1099s ready and any business expense records if you plan to deduct them.

Great question about state coverage! Most states are covered through the IRS Free File program, but there are a few exceptions. Oregon is actually covered by several Free File providers including FreeTaxUSA, so your partner should be able to file both federal and state for free if they qualify income-wise. The states that sometimes have limited Free File options are typically those with unique state tax situations or very specific forms. But Oregon has pretty standard state income tax filing, so they should be good to go. Your situation with the 1099 income is exactly what I mean about "complicated" taxes not being as limiting as people think. FreeTaxUSA through Free File handles Schedule C for business income, so freelance work usually isn't a problem at all. One tip for your partner: when they access FreeTaxUSA through the IRS Free File portal, make sure they see "IRS Free File" branding on the FreeTaxUSA pages. That's how you know you're in the right version that includes free state filing rather than their commercial product. And you're absolutely right to check your AGI calculation - those retirement contributions can make a big difference in qualifying!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for sure, and most participating software providers (including FreeTaxUSA) do offer free state filing as part of the program, but it varies by state and provider. For Oregon specifically, yes - FreeTaxUSA through the IRS Free File portal should include free Oregon state filing if your partner qualifies income-wise. Oregon is one of the states that's well-supported across most Free File providers. However, I'd recommend your partner double-check by going through the IRS Free File tool at irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free and using their "Help Me Choose" feature. You enter your state and it will show you exactly which providers offer free state filing for Oregon residents. Also worth noting - Oregon actually has their own free filing option called "Oregon Free File" for residents with AGI under certain thresholds, so that might be another route to explore if the federal Free File doesn't work out for some reason. The 1099 freelance income shouldn't disqualify your partner at all - Free File handles that situation routinely. Just make sure to have all the 1099s ready when filing!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but the state tax filing depends on which software provider you choose through the portal and what your specific state offers. Most of the major providers in the Free File program (including FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer, etc.) do offer free state filing for most states when you access them through the IRS portal. However, a few states like California actually have their own separate free filing systems that might be better than going through the Free File providers. For Oregon specifically, your partner should be covered through the Free File program. Oregon participates in most of the major free filing options. But here's a pro tip from our VITA training - Oregon also has its own free e-filing system for residents with simpler tax situations, so your partner might want to compare both options to see which one handles their specific forms better. Since you mentioned freelance 1099 income, that's definitely covered by most Free File providers! We see that situation all the time in our VITA clinics. The main thing is making sure you choose a Free File provider that specifically supports Schedule C (business income) if the freelance income is substantial, but most of the major ones do. Your AGI calculation sounds like you'd definitely qualify - those 401k contributions make a big difference!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but state tax filing depends on the specific software provider and which state you're in. For Oregon specifically, most of the major Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer, and others) do offer free Oregon state filing if you qualify for the program based on income. Oregon is generally well-supported across the Free File options. However, here's what I always tell people - when you go through the IRS Free File portal, it will show you which providers support your specific state for free filing. The tool actually filters the options based on your state, so you'll only see providers that can handle Oregon returns at no cost. Your partner should definitely check their AGI calculation too. With freelance 1099 work, they might be able to deduct business expenses, home office deductions, or self-employment tax deductions that could bring their AGI under the threshold even if their gross income seems too high. One tip: if your partner is right at the edge of qualifying, they might want to run the numbers both ways - see if maximizing deductions (like retirement contributions) could get them under the Free File threshold, versus just paying the small state filing fee. Sometimes an extra $500 in retirement savings could save $15-20 in filing fees while also reducing their tax bill!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but for state tax filing, it depends on which software provider you choose through the portal and which state you're in. Most Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) support the majority of states that have income taxes, but there can be exceptions. Oregon is definitely covered by most providers including FreeTaxUSA's Free File version, so your partner should be good to go. For your freelance 1099 income - you're absolutely right that it's typically handled by Free File! Most providers support Schedule C for business income, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, etc. The main things that might bump you out of Free File eligibility are usually very complex situations like rental properties, significant stock trading, or certain foreign income situations. One tip: when you go through the IRS Free File portal, there's actually a tool that helps you compare different software options based on your specific tax situation. It will show you which providers support your forms and state before you even start, which can save a lot of time. Texas residents definitely have it easier with no state income tax to worry about! Your partner in Oregon will benefit much more from finding that free state filing option.

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal returns for all states, but state return coverage varies by provider and state. Most Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) will handle state returns for the majority of states at no charge if you qualify for the program. However, a few states have unique situations - some don't have state income tax (like Texas, as you mentioned), some have very specific state-only requirements, and a couple have limited provider support. Oregon should definitely be covered by FreeTaxUSA's Free File option. The best way to check is to use the IRS Free File lookup tool on their site - you enter your state and it will show you which providers offer free state filing for your specific state. This eliminates any guesswork. Also, your freelance 1099 income shouldn't disqualify you from Free File at all, as long as your total AGI stays under the threshold. We see plenty of people with mixed income sources (W-2 + 1099) who qualify just fine. The providers can handle Schedule C for business income, multiple 1099s, etc. One tip: if you're filing as a couple and one person has more complex taxes, you might save money by filing separately - one through Free File and one through a state-specific free option if available.

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but state tax filing availability varies by provider and state. Most Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) do offer free state filing for the majority of states when you qualify for the program, but there are some exceptions. Texas residents like yourself are lucky since there's no state income tax to worry about! For Oregon specifically, FreeTaxUSA through the IRS Free File portal should cover Oregon state returns at no charge if you qualify income-wise. However, I'd recommend double-checking this on the IRS Free File site when you start your return, as the participating providers and their state coverage can sometimes change year to year. The tool on the IRS site will show you exactly which providers support your state when you enter your information. Also, regarding your 1099 freelance work - that definitely shouldn't disqualify you from Free File! The program handles Schedule C (business income) just fine for most straightforward freelance situations. You're well within the qualification parameters based on what you've described.

Great question about state coverage! The Free File program handles state returns for most states, but not all. Texas is easy since there's no state income tax, but for Oregon, your partner should be covered - Oregon participates in most of the Free File provider programs. However, here's the catch: each Free File provider (like FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer, etc.) covers different combinations of states. So while FreeTaxUSA through Free File might cover Oregon, another provider might not. The good news is that when you use the IRS Free File tool, it will show you which providers support your specific state before you choose one. One thing to watch out for - some providers will do your federal return for free through Free File but then try to upsell you to their paid version for state filing even when the free version would handle it. Always make sure you're staying within the Free File version throughout the entire process. For your 1099 freelance work - that's typically handled just fine by Free File providers! Most can handle Schedule C (business income/expenses) as long as it's not extremely complex. The main things that usually kick you out of Free File are things like rental property income, complex investment scenarios, or certain business entity types.

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but state tax filing availability varies by provider and state. Most Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA's Free File version) support the majority of states that have income taxes, but there can be exceptions. For Oregon specifically, FreeTaxUSA's Free File option does support Oregon state returns, so your partner should be covered. However, I'd recommend they double-check this when they start their return through the IRS Free File portal, as supported states can occasionally change. Your situation in Texas is actually ideal since there's no state income tax to worry about - you can focus entirely on maximizing your federal filing options! One tip for your partner in Oregon: even if for some reason FreeTaxUSA's Free File doesn't support Oregon (which it should), they could always file federal through Free File and then use Oregon's own state filing system separately. Many states have their own free e-filing options that work independently of federal filing. The key is always starting at the IRS Free File portal first to see all your options rather than going directly to any tax prep company's website.

Great question about state coverage! From my VITA experience, the IRS Free File program covers state returns for most states that have income tax, but there are a few important caveats. Since your partner is in Oregon, they're in luck - Oregon is definitely covered by most Free File providers including FreeTaxUSA. The program handles state returns for all states with income tax, but the specific forms and schedules available can vary by provider. FreeTaxUSA through Free File generally has very good state coverage. However, here's something to watch for: a few states have unique tax situations or forms that some Free File providers don't support. If your partner has Oregon-specific credits, local taxes, or unusual income sources, it's worth double-checking that the Free File version supports those specific forms before starting. Also, some Free File providers might support the state return but charge extra for certain state forms or schedules, even within the "free" program. Always verify what's included before you start entering data. For Texas residents like yourself, you obviously don't need to worry about state filing, but it's good information to have for future reference if you move or have income in multiple states. The IRS Free File site has a tool that helps match you with providers based on your specific state and tax situation - definitely recommend using that for the most accurate guidance!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program handles federal returns for all states, but state tax filing depends on which software provider you choose and which state you're in. Most of the Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) do cover Oregon and will file your state return for free if you qualify for the program. However, there are a few states where coverage can be limited depending on the provider. The good news is that when you use the IRS Free File tool, it will show you which providers support your specific state before you choose one. So you can confirm Oregon is covered before starting your return. Since you mentioned Texas (lucky you with no state income tax!), just be aware that if you move between states during the tax year, you might need to file part-year returns for multiple states, which can sometimes push you outside the "simple return" category for some Free File providers. One more tip: if for some reason the Free File providers don't handle Oregon well, you mentioned earlier in this thread that many states have their own free filing systems. Oregon actually has a partnership program with several tax software companies that might offer free state filing even if you don't qualify for IRS Free File. Worth checking the Oregon Department of Revenue website as a backup option!

Great question about state coverage! Most Free File providers through the IRS portal do handle state returns for participating states, but there are a few important caveats your partner in Oregon should know about: 1. Not all states participate in every provider's Free File program - each tax software company has different agreements with different states 2. Oregon actually has its own free filing option called "Oregon Free File" through the state's Department of Revenue website, which might be worth checking out as an alternative 3. Some Free File providers will do your federal return for free but then charge for state even if you qualify income-wise, while others include both - you have to read the fine print carefully For your partner, I'd recommend starting at the IRS Free File portal and specifically looking for providers that explicitly state they include Oregon state filing for free. FreeTaxUSA, TurboTax Freedom Edition, and H&R Block Free Online are usually good bets for Oregon, but double-check the current year's offerings. Your 1099 income shouldn't disqualify you from Free File at all - that's a very common situation we see in VITA and most Free File software handles it easily. The main complications that sometimes cause issues are things like rental property, complex stock transactions, or business expenses requiring detailed schedules. Hope this helps with your planning!

Great question about state coverage! The IRS Free File program covers federal taxes for all states, but for state tax filing, it depends on which provider you choose and which state you're in. Most Free File providers (including FreeTaxUSA) do offer free state filing for most states when you access them through the IRS portal, but there are some exceptions. Oregon is generally well-supported by the Free File providers. However, I'd recommend using the IRS Free File lookup tool (https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free) to double-check - you can enter your state and income info, and it will show you exactly which providers offer free state filing for Oregon residents. Also, since you mentioned your partner is in Oregon, they might want to check if Oregon has its own state-run free filing program as a backup option. Many states now offer their own free e-filing systems that work independently of the federal providers. Your 1099 freelance income shouldn't disqualify you from Free File at all - we help people with similar situations all the time through VITA. The main thing is staying under that AGI threshold, which it sounds like you probably will after deductions!