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FreeTaxUSA

freetaxusa.com

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Re: FreeTaxUSA

#21

Post by lcnPylGDnU4H9OF »

Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #11

I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started making too much to use Free Edition, which is right around the time Credit Karma started offering free tax filing, but I hated CK's UI/UX. It made it easy to miss a deduction, and it did once. I used TT to basically "prepare" my taxes, but not actually file so…

> Credit Karma started offering free tax filing

This seems much like an "illusion of choice" situation. Credit Karma and Turbo Tax are both owned by Intuit. (Not that you were fooled by the illusion, just that it stuck out to me.)

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#22

Post by gregw2 »

gimbalpirate wrote: post #5

This provides exactly the same service as every $150+ overpriced tax filing product you've ever paid (ie been scammed) for. Highly recommend. Hopefully the new IRS software will make even this obsolete.

I am not sure how to evaluate security of my data across Saas tax web apps, but I am warier of smaller scrapier players on that front having worked at startups.

Their website is not reassuring to a web/database developer like myself who is aware of some of the loopholes, threats (insiders, developers) and protection options (separating db admin from masking admin, etc). They do/claim the very basics and that's about it.

I do appreciate their claim to not resell access to mydata at all. I have no confidence with Intuit when I have repeatedly evaluated their language/claims on that topic.

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#23

Post by nearting »

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF wrote: post #21
Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #11

I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started making too much to use Free Edition, which is right around the time Credit Karma started offering free tax filing, but I hated CK's UI/UX. It made it easy to miss a deduction, and it did once. I used TT to basically "prepare" my taxes, but not actually file so…

> Credit Karma started offering free tax filing This seems much like an "illusion of choice" situation. Credit Karma and Turbo Tax are both owned by Intuit. (Not that you were fooled by the illusion, just that it stuck out to me.)

Credit Karma spun their tax service off to Cash App. So Intuit doesn't own both.

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#24

Post by sand500 »

Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #11

I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started making too much to use Free Edition, which is right around the time Credit Karma started offering free tax filing, but I hated CK's UI/UX. It made it easy to miss a deduction, and it did once. I used TT to basically "prepare" my taxes, but not actually file so…

California let's you file state taxes for free through the state:

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/inde...

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#25

Post by [deleted] »

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF wrote: post #21
Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #11

I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started making too much to use Free Edition, which is right around the time Credit Karma started offering free tax filing, but I hated CK's UI/UX. It made it easy to miss a deduction, and it did once. I used TT to basically "prepare" my taxes, but not actually file so…

> Credit Karma started offering free tax filing This seems much like an "illusion of choice" situation. Credit Karma and Turbo Tax are both owned by Intuit. (Not that you were fooled by the illusion, just that it stuck out to me.)

[deleted]

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#26

Post by tpmoney »

mjamesaustin wrote: post #10

I wish they shared more info about what the deluxe version includes. I have a small business with very simple operations, but that often precludes me from using other tax filing software. They don't seem to have any info on whether they cover that in any of their versions.

As far as I understand it the deluxe version is basically the “the online help isn’t answering my question and I want to talk to a real person” / “I may need to file amended returns” option. But none of the actual filing functionality is locked behind it. I know none of the simple 1099 self sole proprietor stuff needed deluxe in previous years.

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#27

Post by teraflop »

Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #13
mjamesaustin wrote: post #10

I wish they shared more info about what the deluxe version includes. I have a small business with very simple operations, but that often precludes me from using other tax filing software. They don't seem to have any info on whether they cover that in any of their versions.

Deluxe just adds more support features. As far as filing and forms, FreeTaxUSA supports EVERYTHING for federal taxes, for free. The $8 deluxe upgrade just gives you live chat and priority support. Pro gives you personal phone support to a tax pro.

Not quite everything, there's a (short) list of unsupported forms here: https://www.freetaxusa.com/forms-federal

I found this out one year because they don't fully support Form 8283, which I needed in order to handle a deduction of a cryptocurrency donation to charity.

But apart from that, they've been great. And your main point is correct in that they don't upcharge for any of their supported forms.

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#28

Post by codingdave »

mjamesaustin wrote: post #10

I wish they shared more info about what the deluxe version includes. I have a small business with very simple operations, but that often precludes me from using other tax filing software. They don't seem to have any info on whether they cover that in any of their versions.

They have that info right here: https://www.freetaxusa.com/deluxe

And they specifically state small business support here: https://www.freetaxusa.com/pricing

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#29

Post by micromacrofoot »

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF wrote: post #21
Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #11

I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started making too much to use Free Edition, which is right around the time Credit Karma started offering free tax filing, but I hated CK's UI/UX. It made it easy to miss a deduction, and it did once. I used TT to basically "prepare" my taxes, but not actually file so…

> Credit Karma started offering free tax filing This seems much like an "illusion of choice" situation. Credit Karma and Turbo Tax are both owned by Intuit. (Not that you were fooled by the illusion, just that it stuck out to me.)

Credit Karma had to sell their tax filing offering to complete the sale, so Intuit doesn't own it: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN285275/

Re: FreeTaxUSA

#30

Post by Alupis »

teraflop wrote: post #27
Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Deluxe just adds more support features. As far as filing and forms, FreeTaxUSA supports EVERYTHING for federal taxes, for free. The $8 deluxe upgrade just gives you live chat and priority support. Pro gives you personal phone support to a tax pro.

Not quite everything, there's a (short) list of unsupported forms here: https://www.freetaxusa.com/forms-federal I found this out one year because they don't fully support Form 8283, which I needed in order to handle a deduction of a cryptocurrency donation to charity. But apart from that, they've been great. And your main point is correct in that they don't upcharge for any of their supported forms.

It appears they now support Form 8283 Section A.
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