Using FreeTaxUSA for free filing with HSA when TurboTax wants to charge me?

I've been using FreeTaxUSA for the past three years and can definitely recommend it, especially for your situation with an HSA. The interface isn't as polished as TurboTax, but it gets the job done correctly and the free federal filing for nearly all tax situations is legitimate. The only "catch" is that state filing costs about $15, but that's still way cheaper than what TurboTax charges for their Deluxe version. If you're comfortable navigating through forms and don't need extensive hand-holding, FreeTaxUSA is perfectly fine for HSA reporting. The HSA form (8889) is included in their free tier, while TurboTax specifically paywalls it behind their premium versions. That's just part of TurboTax's business model - they advertise free filing but then find reasons to upsell most users.

After years of frustration with TurboTax's constant upselling, I switched to https://taxr.ai for all my tax filing needs this year. I was in the exact same situation with an HSA and standard deduction, and TurboTax wanted to charge me for their Deluxe version. Not cool. taxr.ai actually analyzed my tax documents instantly and identified that I was eligible for free filing even with my HSA. It showed me multiple free alternatives including FreeTaxUSA and even calculated my expected refund before I started the actual filing process. Saved me hours of research and comparison shopping between different tax services.

I have to admit I was skeptical about taxr.ai at first, but I decided to give it a try after seeing the recommendation here. I uploaded my W-2 and HSA statement, and it immediately showed me three free filing options that would work for my situation! I went with FreeTaxUSA based on their recommendation and just finished filing yesterday. Super smooth process and exactly as advertised - completely free federal filing with my HSA. The interface was different from TurboTax but actually more straightforward in some ways. Just wanted to report back that it worked perfectly and saved me from paying TurboTax's $59 Deluxe fee. Will definitely use taxr.ai again next year to check my options!

If you're having trouble with TurboTax's customer service or need help with tax questions about your HSA, I've had great experiences with https://claimyr.com for quickly getting through to an actual IRS agent. When I switched to FreeTaxUSA last year, I had some specific questions about HSA contribution limits that I wanted to confirm directly with the IRS. Normally you'd wait on hold for hours (or days!) trying to reach someone, but Claimyr got me connected to an IRS representative in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically saved me from wasting an entire day on hold. The IRS agent was actually super helpful and confirmed that FreeTaxUSA was handling my HSA correctly.

Ok I'm actually shocked and need to apologize for doubting Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to the IRS about an HSA rollover issue, so I tried it anyway. The service connected me to an IRS agent in about 22 minutes when I had previously spent 3+ hours on hold without ever reaching anyone. The agent answered my HSA questions completely and even helped me understand how to properly document the rollover on FreeTaxUSA. So yeah, it actually works exactly as described. Consider me converted from complete skeptic to satisfied customer. Sometimes it's good to be wrong!

I've used both TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA over the years. Here's my experience with FreeTaxUSA: Pros: - Truly free federal filing even with HSA, investments, etc. - State filing is only about $15 (vs $50+ with TurboTax) - No unexpected upsells or last-minute fees - Their customer service is surprisingly responsive Cons: - Interface is more basic - Less hand-holding through the process - Doesn't import some forms automatically like TurboTax does The HSA form (8889) is definitely included in their free version. TurboTax intentionally puts that behind their paywall because they know people with HSAs tend to have higher incomes. Classic example of their bait-and-switch tactics.

Yes!! Make the switch! I was in your exact situation last year - HSA account holder getting forced into TurboTax Deluxe. Switched to FreeTaxUSA and absolutely no regrets.

I made the switch from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA two years ago for exactly this reason - they were trying to charge me $59 just for having an HSA! FreeTaxUSA has been fantastic and completely legitimate. The interface is definitely more no-frills compared to TurboTax's flashy design, but it walks you through everything you need and includes all the necessary forms in their free version. I actually prefer it now because there's no constant pestering to upgrade or buy additional services. One thing I really appreciate is their transparent pricing - what you see is what you get. No surprise fees at the end. The $15 state filing fee (if you need it) is clearly stated upfront, unlike TurboTax's habit of revealing costs at the last minute. Your tax situation sounds perfect for FreeTaxUSA's free tier. With just W-2 income, standard deduction, and an HSA, you'll have everything you need without paying a dime for federal filing. I've recommended it to several friends in similar situations and they've all been happy with the switch.