Author Topic: Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com  (Read 2383 times)

jc4

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Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com
« on: August 23, 2017, 12:46:30 PM »
TLDR: Truly free tax software, even for complicated returns. Not just the 1040ez/a/etc.

I found this during tax season and will probably repost again early next year.

I don't know why this isn't more publicized. It's hard to find even if you know it exists. And I didn't see any references, links, articles, or anything talking about it. I was super skeptical at first, but the sites associated with a real tax return company (liberty tax), and sure enough my tax return actually showed up. I still don't really believe it, but it seems like the real deal.

I know lots of the electronic tax filers let you file really simple tax returns, but charge for anything remotely complicated, like itemizations or HSAs or investments, etc.

But freetax will let you actually file for free, and have a more complcated return. Last year, I itemized, has student loan interest deductions, and had some other form for my wife's HSA. And it was pretty easy, and actually free.

This year, I'll have some Betterment, tax harvested losses, some company stock program shares from my wife's company, and some small returns from Robinhood. I'll get a better idea of how it works for heavy investers like MMM'ers. It should still be free though. The other sites can charge $100 or so for this.




MDM

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Scandium

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Re: Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2017, 12:52:44 PM »
If you're not the (paying) customer, you are the product.. This seems like a gold mine for consumer data harvesting. Would that be legal? And if they're not doing it; how can I start a business doing that?!

Drifterrider

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Re: Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2017, 09:41:22 AM »
It has always been "free" to file your income tax return. 

Do you mean "free electronic filing"?  If so, where is the catch?  Nothing is free (even bad advice).

johnny847

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Re: Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2017, 09:46:51 AM »
It has always been "free" to file your income tax return. 

Do you mean "free electronic filing"?  If so, where is the catch?  Nothing is free (even bad advice).

Free electronic filing of federal returns has always been available through the IRS. And before you or anybody else says "I make too much", read it again. You can still use the free file fillable forms. You just don't get the software that holds your hand as you do it.
https://www.irs.gov/uac/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

teen persuasion

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Re: Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2017, 10:00:13 AM »
It has always been "free" to file your income tax return. 

Do you mean "free electronic filing"?  If so, where is the catch?  Nothing is free (even bad advice).

Free electronic filing of federal returns has always been available through the IRS. And before you or anybody else says "I make too much", read it again. You can still use the free file fillable forms. You just don't get the software that holds your hand as you do it.
https://www.irs.gov/uac/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
My problem is e-filing my state returns.  The state started experimenting with fillable forms,  but anything related to children wasn't included, so you have to use commercial SW instead.  Luckily we qualified for free versions, but are limited in choices, and the state flip-flops often.  Last year the state seems to have abandoned the forms altogether in favor of commercial SW.  Can't just e-file federal and paper file state, either - the state requires e-filing if you do your federal that way.

I hate the Q&A format of most tax SW, I'd prefer to use fillable forms.

johnny847

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Re: Filing Taxes for Free with Software - https://www.freetax.com
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2017, 03:21:19 PM »
It has always been "free" to file your income tax return. 

Do you mean "free electronic filing"?  If so, where is the catch?  Nothing is free (even bad advice).

Free electronic filing of federal returns has always been available through the IRS. And before you or anybody else says "I make too much", read it again. You can still use the free file fillable forms. You just don't get the software that holds your hand as you do it.
https://www.irs.gov/uac/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
My problem is e-filing my state returns.  The state started experimenting with fillable forms,  but anything related to children wasn't included, so you have to use commercial SW instead.  Luckily we qualified for free versions, but are limited in choices, and the state flip-flops often.  Last year the state seems to have abandoned the forms altogether in favor of commercial SW.  Can't just e-file federal and paper file state, either - the state requires e-filing if you do your federal that way.

I hate the Q&A format of most tax SW, I'd prefer to use fillable forms.

I have this problem too. But worse I guess. My state just straight up doesn't free fillable froms. You must use commercial software, and I require schedule C and some other stuff, which then means I'd have to pay.

So then I file by mail. Ugh.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!