Need alternatives to Jackson Hewitt for first time filing with no money upfront

I'm filing my taxes for the first time ever and I went to Jackson Hewitt thinking they could just take their fee out of my refund, but apparently I don't qualify for that option? I'm completely broke right now - like literally have $20 in my checking account - and they want $25 upfront to process my return. My total refund is only going to be around $325 (most of that is coming from my state return). I can't afford to wait until I get paid next week because the filing deadline is coming up. Does anyone know if there are free filing options I could use instead of Jackson Hewitt? Or maybe another tax place that will definitely let me pay from my refund? This has been the absolute worst year financially for me and I'm desperate for that refund money.

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18 comments

Zara Ahmed

•8M

You definitely have free options! The IRS Free File program partners with tax preparation companies to provide free filing. If your adjusted gross income is under $73,000, you qualify for free federal tax filing. Many of these services also offer free state filing. Go to IRS.gov and search for "Free File" or go directly to https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free - they'll direct you to various providers. Cash App Tax (formerly Credit Karma Tax) is completely free for both federal and state regardless of income. FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing and charges about $15 for state. Since you mentioned this is your first time filing, these online options have step-by-step guides that are actually easier to follow than you might think.

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Zara Ahmed

•8M

The level of support varies by provider. Most free services offer basic guidance through the filing process with help articles and FAQ sections. They don't typically include one-on-one support from a tax professional like you'd get at Jackson Hewitt. If you're concerned about making mistakes, Cash App Tax and FreeTaxUSA both have accuracy guarantees, and their interfaces are designed to help catch common errors. They also offer audit assistance if anything comes up later. The forms and calculations are the same ones used by paid services - the main difference is just the level of human support.

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Luca Esposito

•8M

After getting frustrated with the big tax prep services wanting to charge me huge fees, I tried taxr.ai and it was actually really helpful for my situation. I uploaded my W-2 and answered a few questions, and it handled everything - even found deductions I didn't know I qualified for. The interface walks you through everything step by step, and it's designed specifically for people who don't have complicated tax situations. I was really impressed with how it simplified the whole process at https://taxr.ai when I just wanted to file without paying a bunch of extra fees.

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Mateo Rodriguez

•8M

I was skeptical about taxr.ai after trying other "free" services that ended up charging me at the end, but I decided to try it since I'm also a first-time filer with a simple return. It was actually super easy and completely free for my situation! The document scanner saved me so much time - it automatically pulled all the numbers from my W-2 correctly. I'm getting about $400 back and didn't have to pay anything upfront. Definitely better than the $25 Jackson Hewitt wanted to charge.

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Aisha Abdullah

•8M

If you end up getting stuck with your refund or have issues with the IRS after filing, I recommend using Claimyr to get through to a real IRS agent. I spent HOURS on hold trying to figure out why my refund from last year was delayed, but with https://claimyr.com I got connected to an actual IRS rep in about 15 minutes. They have this clever system that waits on hold for you and calls when an agent picks up. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it saved me so much frustration when I needed to sort out an issue with my refund.

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Aisha Abdullah

•8M

They don't call the IRS for you - it's more like they have a system that waits on hold so you don't have to. When an IRS agent finally picks up, you get a call connecting you directly to that agent. It's basically just saving you from having to sit on hold for hours. I was skeptical too! But after trying for 3 days to get through on my own and getting disconnected every time, I was desperate. Was genuinely surprised when it actually connected me to an agent who helped resolve my refund delay.

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NeonNova

•8M

Welp, I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I was so frustrated with trying to reach the IRS about my missing refund that I decided to try it anyway. Got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes after spending literally DAYS trying on my own. The agent told me my refund was flagged for verification but they were able to clear it while I was on the phone. Honestly worth every penny just for the stress relief of finally talking to a human who could solve my problem.

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Yuki Tanaka

•8M

Definitely bring your photo ID, social security card (or a document with your SSN), all tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.), and last year's tax return if you have one. Also bring your bank account info (routing and account numbers) for direct deposit of your refund. They usually prefer if you make an appointment, so call ahead if possible. Some sites also require you to fill out an intake form before your visit to save time. Most locations can file both federal and state returns for you, and they double-check everything to make sure you're getting all the credits you qualify for.

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