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Current Deals & Offers
Free federal filing for ALL tax situations
State filing only $14.99
Deluxe support for just $7.99
FreeTaxUSA Review 2026
Free federal filing for every situation — simple or complex.
FreeTaxUSA Pricing
Free
$0 federal / $14.99 state
Completely free federal filing for all tax situations including self-employment and investments.
- Free federal filing for all situations
- W-2, 1099, self-employment income
- Itemized deductions
- Investment income (Schedule D)
- Rental income (Schedule E)
- State filing: $14.99/state
Deluxe
$7.99 federal + $14.99 state
Priority support, live chat, and audit defense for a small upgrade fee.
- Everything in Free
- Priority customer support
- Live chat access
- Audit defense included
- Amended return support
- State filing: $14.99/state
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free federal filing regardless of tax complexity
- State filing at $14.99 is the lowest price in the market
- Handles complex returns including self-employment, investments, and rentals for free
- Audit defense included in the $7.99 Deluxe upgrade
- Accurate and reliable — backed by a long track record
- Prior-year returns available for comparison
Cons
- No dedicated mobile app — browser-based only
- Interface is functional but plain and dated
- Limited live support — no access to a CPA or tax professional
- No in-person filing option
- Less guidance for beginners than TurboTax or H&R Block
- Import features are more limited than competitors
Key Features
- Free federal filing for all tax situations
- Self-employment income and deductions (Schedule C)
- Investment capital gains (Schedule D)
- Rental income (Schedule E)
- Itemized deductions
- Retirement income (IRA, 401k distributions)
- Prior-year comparison
- IRS e-file
- Audit defense (Deluxe upgrade)
- Amended returns (Deluxe upgrade)
Our Verdict
FreeTaxUSA is the most underrated product in tax software. It files federal taxes for free across every situation — not just simple returns — and charges only $14.99 per state. The interface is plain but the accuracy is solid and the coverage is comprehensive. If you are comfortable navigating a tax return on your own and want to pay as little as possible, FreeTaxUSA delivers exceptional value. The lack of a mobile app and limited guidance make it less suitable for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FreeTaxUSA really free for all federal returns?
Yes. FreeTaxUSA files federal returns at no cost for all tax situations — including self-employment, investment income, rental properties, and itemized deductions. There is no income limit or complexity restriction on free federal filing. The only cost is $14.99 per state return.
Does FreeTaxUSA have a mobile app?
No. FreeTaxUSA is browser-based only and does not have a dedicated iOS or Android app. The website is mobile-responsive and works in a mobile browser, but the experience is less polished than apps offered by TurboTax or H&R Block.
What does the FreeTaxUSA Deluxe upgrade include?
The Deluxe upgrade costs $7.99 for federal filing (state is still $14.99 separately). It adds priority customer support, live chat access, audit defense, and the ability to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) online. For most people who are comfortable filing independently, the free tier is sufficient.
Can FreeTaxUSA handle self-employment taxes?
Yes, and it does so at no cost on the free federal tier. You can report self-employment income, deduct business expenses on Schedule C, and calculate your self-employment tax. This is a major advantage over TurboTax, which requires the $129 Self-Employed tier for the same functionality.
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