Switching from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA - First Time User Comparison

So I finally bit the bullet and decided to switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA this year. I got tired of TurboTax's ever-increasing prices and thought I'd give FreeTaxUSA a shot. To test things out, I entered all my 2023 tax info into FreeTaxUSA and was relieved to see it calculated the exact same results as my TurboTax return from last year. Great start! But here's where I'm confused. As I started working on my 2024 taxes in FreeTaxUSA, I expected the system would pull through some of my 2023 information automatically, especially in the comparison summary where it shows year-over-year changes. But there's absolutely nothing carrying over. Is this normal for FreeTaxUSA? Could it be because I didn't actually file my 2023 return through them? I completed the entire 2023 return in FreeTaxUSA as a test, but stopped at the submission step since I had already filed through TurboTax last year. Anyone else make the switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA who can share their experience? Do I need to actually file through FreeTaxUSA for one year before data carries over to the next year?

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18 comments

Sean Doyle

•8M

This is actually normal behavior for FreeTaxUSA. The software doesn't automatically pull your previous year's information unless you actually filed through them the previous year. Since you only entered your 2023 information as a test but didn't actually submit through FreeTaxUSA, the system doesn't recognize it as an "official" return that it should use for year-over-year comparisons. You essentially just created a draft that the system doesn't treat as a completed return. When you file your 2024 taxes through FreeTaxUSA and then come back next year for your 2025 taxes, you'll see the previous year information carry over automatically. It's one of those first-year transition inconveniences when switching tax software.

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Sean Doyle

•8M

Unfortunately, there's no way to manually force the system to recognize your test return as an official previous year return. You're essentially starting fresh this first year with FreeTaxUSA. The good news is that most of your basic information (name, address, dependents, etc.) should auto-fill as you go through the 2024 return if you're using the same account you created for the 2023 test. While you won't get the comparison features, you shouldn't have to re-enter absolutely everything.

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Zara Rashid

•8M

I went through the exact same thing last year when I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA! The interface at https://taxr.ai actually helped me analyze both returns side-by-side to make sure all my deductions transferred correctly. It was super helpful for checking that I didn't miss anything during the switch. FreeTaxUSA doesn't carry over prior year data unless you actually filed with them, which was frustrating at first. But honestly, once I got past that initial hurdle, I found the overall experience way better than TurboTax. The price difference was huge for my situation with some investment income and a side business.

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Zara Rashid

•8M

The taxr.ai site works by analyzing your tax forms - you can upload PDFs of returns from different years or different software and it highlights discrepancies or changes. It's not sketchy - they use bank-level encryption and don't store your docs after analysis. As for missing features, there are a few premium TurboTax features that aren't in FreeTaxUSA, but nothing essential for most people. The interface is definitely more straightforward without all the upselling. I actually found it easier to use once I got used to the different layout. The only thing I slightly missed was the real-time refund tracker that updates as you enter info.

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Luca Romano

•8M

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai that I asked about earlier. I was skeptical but decided to try it out since I was also switching from TT to FreeTaxUSA and wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. It was actually really helpful! I uploaded my previous TurboTax PDF and my new FreeTaxUSA draft, and it showed me exactly where the differences were. Found a deduction I completely forgot to transfer over that saved me about $300. The comparison made the switch between tax software so much easier and gave me confidence that I wasn't screwing anything up.

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NebulaNova

•8M

If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS about any tax filing issues when switching services, I highly recommend using https://claimyr.com. I was stuck in limbo trying to sort out why my AGI verification wasn't working between systems, and the IRS phone lines kept hanging up on me due to "high call volume." With Claimyr, I was able to get through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of calling repeatedly for days. They have this cool system shown in this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c that basically waits on hold for you then calls you when an agent is available. Totally changed my perspective on dealing with the IRS!

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NebulaNova

•8M

They don't have any special connection to the IRS - they basically use an automated system that dials and navigates the IRS phone tree, then sits on hold for you. When an agent finally answers, their system calls your phone and connects you directly to that agent. It's like having someone else wait on hold so you don't have to waste your time. They don't ask for or need any of your tax info at all. They're just solving the hold time problem, not handling your actual tax questions. The service just connects you to an actual IRS agent faster than you could get through on your own. You still handle the conversation with the IRS yourself once connected.

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Aisha Khan

•8M

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about an issue with my return. Decided I had nothing to lose and tried it. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I got a call back in about 40 minutes and was connected to an IRS agent who helped resolve my issue. After spending literally days trying to get through on my own last year, this was like a miracle. Sometimes it pays to be wrong! Still shocked that it actually worked, but definitely grateful I tried it.

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Ethan Taylor

•8M

My refund timing was almost identical to when I used TurboTax. Filed mid-February and got federal direct deposit in about 14 days, state took about 3 weeks. I think refund timing has more to do with when you file and IRS processing backlogs than which software you use. The IRS systems process the returns the same way regardless of which software submitted them. As long as you're e-filing (which FreeTaxUSA does), the timing should be similar to any other e-filed return.

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