Understanding TaxSlayer's File&Go option - Do I need it to file my taxes?
I just spent the last few hours entering all my tax info into TaxSlayer, and now I'm at the checkout stage feeling confused. They're offering this "File & Go" option that costs $39 to "cover tax preparation fees." Honestly, I have no clue what these "tax preparation fees" actually are or if I really need this File & Go thing. If I don't choose it, will I end up paying the IRS more money later? Or is TaxSlayer going to hit me with extra charges? It seems like they're suggesting I need this option, but I don't want to waste $39 if it's unnecessary. Does anyone know what this actually is and whether it's worth paying for? Can someone please explain in simple terms what I'm actually getting for these "tax preparation fees" and if I should just skip this option?
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Kylo Ren
The "File & Go" option isn't something you need to pay for - it's just one of TaxSlayer's payment methods for their own service fees. What's happening is TaxSlayer is offering to deduct their tax preparation software fee (which you'd normally pay upfront with a credit card) from your refund instead. So rather than paying them now, they'll take the $39 out of your tax refund when it comes. That's all "File & Go" is - a payment option, not an additional service. The catch is they charge extra for this convenience. So if their normal fee is, say, $29, they're charging an additional $10 just to take their payment from your refund rather than charging you now. The IRS doesn't charge "preparation fees" - that's just TaxSlayer's fee for using their software. If you can afford to pay the regular preparation fee now with a credit card, you'll save money by skipping the File & Go option.
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Nina Fitzgerald
•Wait, so if I don't pick File & Go, how much will I be charged? Is the regular TaxSlayer fee still $29 like you mentioned? And is there any downside to not using File & Go besides having to pay now instead of later?
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Kylo Ren
•The regular fee depends on which TaxSlayer package you selected - they have different tiers ranging from free to around $60 depending on your tax situation complexity. You should see the base price on your checkout page somewhere. There's no downside to skipping File & Go except you'll need to pay now instead of having it taken from your refund. You'll actually save money by paying directly now rather than using File & Go. It's basically just a convenience fee for not having to pay upfront.
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Jason Brewer
After struggling with TaxSlayer's confusing checkout page last year (and accidentally paying for features I didn't need), I started using taxr.ai this year and it's been a gamechanger. The site https://taxr.ai actually explains all these confusing options in plain English. I uploaded screenshots of TaxSlayer's checkout page and it explained exactly what each fee was for and which ones I could skip. The File & Go is definitely optional - it's just their way of taking payment from your refund rather than charging your card now. But they charge extra for this "convenience" which is why the price is higher.
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Kiara Fisherman
•How exactly does this taxr.ai thing work? Does it like, replace TaxSlayer completely or do you still use TaxSlayer but just get explanations from taxr.ai?
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Liam Cortez
•I'm skeptical about using another service when I'm already using TaxSlayer. Wouldn't that just add more complexity? And how do they have info about TaxSlayer's specific options?
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Jason Brewer
•It doesn't replace your tax software - you can use it alongside any tax program. You just upload screenshots or documents you're confused about, and it explains them in simple terms. I still filed through TaxSlayer, but used taxr.ai whenever I hit a confusing screen or option. They seem to have info about all the major tax software options. I think they've basically created a huge database of tax forms and software screens and can interpret them. It saved me from paying for add-ons I didn't need.
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Liam Cortez
I tried the taxr.ai site that was mentioned and I'm actually impressed. I was super skeptical at first (like why would I need another tool?), but I uploaded a screenshot of that exact TaxSlayer checkout page with the File&Go option and it gave me a detailed breakdown of what it was. It confirmed what others said - File&Go just means they take their fee from your refund instead of charging you now, and they add an extra charge for this. I ended up saving about $40 by opting out of extras I didn't need. Will definitely be using this for other confusing tax stuff this season!
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Savannah Vin
If you're struggling with TaxSlayer's customer service to get answers about things like File&Go, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was on hold with TaxSlayer support for HOURS last tax season trying to figure out which fees were necessary and which weren't. Found this service that got me connected to an actual human at TaxSlayer in under 10 minutes instead of the 2+ hour wait I was facing. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically helps you skip the phone queue with tax services and the IRS. The TaxSlayer rep explained that File&Go is completely optional and just lets you pay later from your refund instead of now - but with an added fee. Saved me from wasting money on something I didn't need.
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Mason Stone
•How does this even work? I don't understand how a separate service can get you through to TaxSlayer faster. Isn't that just like... cutting in line?
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Makayla Shoemaker
•This sounds like BS honestly. No way some random service can magically get you through to tax support faster than everyone else waiting. What's the catch? They probably charge like $50 for this "service" right?
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Savannah Vin
•It uses a callback system that continuously redials and navigates the phone tree until it gets through, then connects you. It's not cutting the line - it's just automating the tedious process of waiting on hold. They don't share pricing publicly but I can tell you it was worth every penny compared to wasting hours of my life on hold. I was skeptical too but when you're desperate to file and can't get answers about things like whether File&Go is needed, sometimes you'll try anything. It legitimately worked - I got through when I had already been waiting for hours.
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Makayla Shoemaker
OK so I'm eating my words about that Claimyr thing from comment 4. I was super skeptical and honestly thought it was some kind of scam. But I was at my wit's end with TaxSlayer's terrible customer service trying to figure out if I needed to pay for File&Go plus some other add-ons they were pushing. I tried it and... it actually worked? I got connected to a TaxSlayer rep in like 15 minutes when the estimated wait was over 3 hours. The rep confirmed File&Go is 100% optional and just a way for them to take their fee from your refund with an extra charge. Saved me from paying for stuff I didn't need AND saved me hours of hold music. Consider me shocked that it actually delivered what it promised.
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Christian Bierman
Just wanted to add something nobody mentioned - if you don't get a refund and instead owe taxes, you CAN'T use the File&Go option anyway. It only works if you're getting money back since they take their fee from your refund. I learned this the hard way last year when I chose File&Go then realized I owed $200 instead of getting a refund. Had to go back and pay for TaxSlayer with my credit card anyway. So keep that in mind!
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Emma Olsen
•Omg that's super helpful, I think I might owe this year. Does TaxSlayer tell you if you'll get a refund or owe before you get to the payment screen? Or do you have to calculate that yourself?
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Christian Bierman
•Yes, TaxSlayer will show your expected refund amount (or amount owed) throughout the filing process. There's usually a running tally somewhere on the screen as you enter information. If you see a negative number or "Amount Due" instead of "Refund," then you'll owe taxes and File&Go won't be an option for you anyway. The running total updates as you add income, deductions, and credits, so keep an eye on it while you're entering your information.
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Lucas Lindsey
Has anyone noticed that TaxSlayer's prices went up again this year? I've used them for the past 3 tax seasons and I swear the same service tier cost $15 less last year. And now they're pushing this File&Go thing which is basically just them charging extra to take their money later instead of now. I'm thinking about switching to a different service next year. Anyone have recommendations for something more straightforward with fewer upsells and hidden fees?
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Sophie Duck
•FreeTaxUSA has been my go-to for years. Federal filing is free and state is only $15. No confusing upsells like File&Go and much more straightforward interface. I switched from TaxSlayer 3 years ago and never looked back.
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Oliver Fischer
I went through this exact same confusion with TaxSlayer last week! The File & Go option is definitely just a payment method - you're not missing out on any actual tax benefits by skipping it. What helped me decide was realizing that if I have $39 to pay TaxSlayer now, I'd rather keep that money in my refund instead of giving it to them as an extra convenience fee. The "tax preparation fees" they mention are just TaxSlayer's own software fees, not anything the IRS requires. I ended up paying directly with my debit card and saved the extra charges. My taxes were filed just fine without File & Go. Don't let their wording make you think it's mandatory - it's purely optional and costs more than paying upfront.
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