FreeTaxUSA Tax Software Review
- Federal starting price
- $0
- State returns starting price
- $14.99
Our verdict
A top option for free federal returns and low-cost state returns, but with fewer bells and whistles than other platforms.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to file taxes this year, FreeTaxUSA may be a no-brainer. It's entirely free to file federal tax returns, regardless of how complex your tax situation is. It doesn't require you to upgrade to other plans as you go through the filing process, unlike some competitors. And you'll only pay $14.99 for state returns. You can also import old tax returns from other online tax preparers, such as TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct, and opt for paid extra services like amended returns, audit defense or professionally printed returns mailed to you. But it doesn't have phone support unless you pay for its extra service, Deluxe. It costs $24.99 to pay FreeTaxUSA with your refund, so we’d recommend just paying for the service with a card. And keep in mind that FreeTaxUSA shines on value, not hand-holding.
Best for: Free federal returns without pestering upgrades.
Pros
-
$0 federal returns
-
$14.99 state returns
-
E-file to IRS directly
-
Import past returns
-
Optional audit defense
Cons
-
Live customer support is limited
-
Costs $24.99 to pay with your refund
-
Basic interface with limited guidance
FreeTaxUSA plans and cost
FreeTaxUSA is known for keeping pricing simple and transparent, especially compared with higher-cost tax software. Federal filing is free for all users, regardless of income, while state returns and add-ons are priced separately. You only pay after completing your return and before filing. Unlike most other e-filing tax software, FreeTaxUSA doesn’t charge you more for having a “complex” return. Its pricing is simple, and it only charges for state returns.
Unless you want to upgrade to Pro Support or other additional services, you won’t pay anything to file a federal tax return with FreeTaxUSA. Also, know that FreeTaxUSA does not offer refund advances or prepaid cards, which helps keep costs low but limits payout flexibility.
| Plan | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free Edition | $0 for federal $14.99 for state |
|
| Pro Support | $39.99 | File tax returns with help from a tax expert. Includes phone support and personal tax advice. |
Extra FreeTaxUSA services
These extra FreeTaxUSA features are completely optional.
| Feature | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Audit Defense (optional) | $19.99 | Personal audit defense team that communicates with the IRS on your behalf. |
| Unlimited amended returns | $15.98 | File 1040-X as many times as you need. |
| Deluxe Support | $7.99 | Get access to live chat with tax specialists and unlimited amended returns. |
| Prior year amended returns | $0 for federal $17.97 for state | File an amended return for the years 2017 to 2023. |
| Professionally printed return | $7.97 | Get a printed copy of your tax return mailed to you. |
| Professionally bound return | $15.97 | Get a copy of your tax return professionally bound and sent to you. |
What we like about FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA is undoubtedly one of the best options for a free federal tax return.
Why? Because everyone qualifies for free federal tax filing.
FreeTaxUSA doesn’t charge you more to file your taxes simply because you have more deductions to claim than what it would consider “simple.” You’re not forced to upgrade for deductions, credits, or additional forms, which sets it apart from many competitors that charge more as returns get more complex.
One of the most affordable options out there
Among competitors, FreeTaxUSA has one of the lowest prices for returns: $0 for federal and just $14.99 for state. And that $0 federal cost applies to all filers, not just those with “simple” returns.
For comparison, TurboTax’s lowest state return price can be $0, but only if you have what they deem as a “simple” tax return, and only a portion of filers qualify for the free filing. If you don’t qualify for a free filing with the DIY option, it could cost you anywhere from $0 to $169 for federal or $0 to $39 for state.
And the forced upgrade is a similar story with H&R Block. If you can’t qualify for the H&R Block Free Online filing, the cost starts at $35 for federal and $37 for state.
Three guarantees
Very similar to other tax preparation services, FreeTaxUSA has some guarantees related to maximum refunds and accuracy.
- Free federal guarantee. FreeTaxUSA guarantees that your federal form is 100% free.
- Maximum refund guarantee. If you get a larger refund or smaller tax liability with another e-filing service, FreeTaxUSA will refund your purchases and give you a service code for a free amended return.
- Accuracy guarantee. If there was a calculation error that was FreeTaxUSA’s fault, they will pay penalties or interest to the IRS on your behalf.
Where it falls short
There isn’t much we didn’t like about FreeTaxUSA. Overall, it’s a low-cost way to get your taxes done, with clear pricing and solid services.
However, it’s worth noting that FreeTaxUSA doesn’t offer phone support unless you opt for its extra service, Deluxe. With the Free Edition, support is available via email or in-app. While email help and live chat for Deluxe users are useful, there’s no 24/7 phone support or in-app walkthroughs like those offered by competitors. This matters most for filers who want step-by-step reassurance or have highly unusual tax situations.
And if you’re looking for the best way to pay for your tax preparation, paying FreeTaxUSA with your refund isn’t the best route. It costs $24.99 to pay FreeTaxUSA for tax preparation with your refund. Most tax preparation companies and e-file companies charge something similar, but there’s no cost to pay them with a card — just something to consider.
Few bells and whistles
FreeTaxUSA keeps extras pared down. It doesn’t offer refund advances or bundled financial tools, and its interface is more functional than modern. For filers who want polished visuals, robust help libraries, or extra features like live tax advice from CPAs, premium services may feel more complete.
Odd pricing for amended returns
If being able to file amended returns is something you want, from a cost-effective standpoint, it makes more sense to go with the Deluxe support since it only costs $7.99, compared to the Amended Return service for $15.98.
Deluxe Support costs $7.99 and lets you live chat with customer support, get audit assistance and file unlimited amended returns. We’re not sure why the amended support costs more than the Deluxe Support that includes it, but we figured we’d point that out to save you some cash if that’s something you’re interested in.
Compare tax filing services
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Customer reviews and ratings
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A- |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.5 out of 5 stars, based on 28 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot score | 2.7 out of 5 stars, based on 118 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 17 December 2025 |
FreeTaxUSA has fewer total reviews than household names like TurboTax or H&R Block, but user sentiment skews more positive than you might expect. On Trustpilot, over half of the reviews are 5-star ratings.
Many long-time users praise its reliability. One 2025 review notes over a decade of use with no issues, citing responsive customer support. Others say they’ve filed for years without complications and feel the low state filing fee is worth it for a straightforward process. Some reviews also highlight switching from TurboTax after costs climbed quickly.
Criticism tends to focus on delayed refunds, confusion around the free federal-only filing, or fees deducted from refunds. Other issues cited include customer service frustrations and system glitches. Still, FreeTaxUSA frequently responds to negative reviews and attempts to resolve complaints, which helps balance the overall feedback.
Your reviews
Bethany Finder
Banking editor
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