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FreeTaxUSA Review
Federal filing free for every American — not just the simple returns
Last reviewed: 2026-05-25 · By GBBR Editorial Team
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Our Top Pick · Gold Tier
FreeTaxUSA
Free plan available
The Bottom Line
FreeTaxUSA earns Gold by doing something TurboTax refuses to do: file your federal return for free regardless of complexity. W-2 employee, freelancer, investor, rental property owner — it's $0 federal for everyone. State returns cost $14.99. The Deluxe upgrade ($7.99) adds audit support. That's the entire pricing model. The interface is less polished than TurboTax and the import tools are more manual, but the accuracy is solid and the IRS-certified e-file system is the same infrastructure every competitor uses. For the 80% of Americans who don't need hand-holding, FreeTaxUSA is the rational choice.
What is FreeTaxUSA?
FreeTaxUSA was founded in 2001 by TaxHawk, Inc. and is based in Cedar City, Utah. It operates as an IRS-authorized e-file provider and has processed tens of millions of returns since launch. The service gained mainstream attention as TurboTax's pricing became more aggressive, particularly when TurboTax removed many returns from its free tier in 2019. FreeTaxUSA partnered with the IRS Free File Alliance for qualifying taxpayers and offers its own free federal filing for everyone above the Free File income limits.
What does FreeTaxUSA offer?
FreeTaxUSA Free covers federal filing for all return types — W-2, 1099, Schedule C, Schedule D, Schedule E (rentals), Schedule SE. State returns are $14.99 per state. Deluxe ($7.99 one-time) adds priority chat support, audit assist, and amended return filing. Pricing is locked at these rates — no upsells mid-filing. The interface walks through a form-based interview similar to TurboTax but with less animation and guidance. Import is manual for most data, though W-2 import and prior-year import are supported.
Free (Federal)
$0
/year
Deluxe (Federal)
$7.99
/year
State Return
$14.99
/year
Is FreeTaxUSA worth the price?
Best price-to-value in tax software — federal filing free for all return types, state $14.99
TurboTax charges $39–$89 for the same federal forms FreeTaxUSA files for free — a $39–$89 direct savings per return
Best value in the categoryHow we scored it
Overall score: 84/100
IRS-certified e-file provider, accurate calculations, Audit Assist available on Deluxe plan ($7.99)
Form-based interview works well but is less guided than TurboTax — you need to know which schedules apply to your situation
Federal filing is free for ALL return types — W-2, 1099, Schedule C, D, E, SE — no income cap, no form restrictions
$0 federal + $14.99 state is the best value in the industry — saves $39–$89/year vs. TurboTax for equivalent federal forms coverage
W-2 import and prior year import supported; investment data typically requires manual entry from 1099-B
Free plan has community support and email; Deluxe adds priority live chat support
Why FreeTaxUSA is Gold Tier
FreeTaxUSA earns Gold for its exceptional price-to-value: genuinely free federal filing with no income cap and no form restrictions. It handles the same federal schedules as TurboTax (C, D, E, SE, K-1) for $0. The product loses points for a less polished UI compared to TurboTax and H&R Block, more manual data entry, and thinner customer support. But for filers who know what they're doing, it's the rational choice that saves $39–$89 every year.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Federal filing free for ALL return types — Schedule C, D, E, SE, K-1 all included
- ✓State returns $14.99 — still cheaper than TurboTax's free tier for most filers
- ✓IRS-certified e-file provider with the same accuracy infrastructure as competitors
- ✓No upsell pressure mid-filing
- ✓Deluxe upgrade at $7.99 adds audit support — still 80% cheaper than TurboTax Deluxe
Cons
- ✗Less guided than TurboTax — better for filers who know their situation
- ✗Investment import is more manual (1099-B often requires manual entry)
- ✗UI is functional but not polished — feels more like a form than a wizard
- ✗Support is basic on the free plan
Ready to try FreeTaxUSA? Free plan available — no credit card required.
Get FreeTaxUSA →Frequently Asked Questions
Is FreeTaxUSA worth it in 2026?
Best price-to-value in tax software — federal filing free for all return types, state $14.99 Overall verdict: Best value in the category.
What is FreeTaxUSA best for?
FreeTaxUSA is best for: Self-employed and freelancers who want Schedule C free (not $89 like TurboTax), Investors who can enter 1099-B data manually to save $69 vs. TurboTax Premier, Experienced filers who know their tax situation and don't need guided onboarding.
Does FreeTaxUSA have a free plan?
Yes — FreeTaxUSA offers a free tier: Federal filing is completely free for all return types — no income cap, no form restrictions.
Who should NOT use FreeTaxUSA?
FreeTaxUSA is not the right fit for: First-time filers who want maximum guided hand-holding (use TurboTax or H&R Block); Filers who need deep brokerage import integration (TurboTax Premier is easier).
What are the best FreeTaxUSA alternatives?
Top alternatives to FreeTaxUSA include turbotax, hrblock, taxact.
FreeTaxUSA earns Gold for its exceptional price-to-value: genuinely free federal filing with no income cap and no form restrictions. It handles the same federal schedules as TurboTax (C, D, E, SE, K-1) for $0. The product loses points for a less polished UI compared to TurboTax and H&R Block, more manual data entry, and thinner customer support. But for filers who know what they're doing, it's the rational choice that saves $39–$89 every year.
Get FreeTaxUSA →Free tier available — no credit card required
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