Is FreeTaxUSA Legit?
FreeTaxUSA promises to file your federal taxes for free. Given that TurboTax and H&R Block charge $100+ for similar services, people naturally wonder — is FreeTaxUSA actually legit, or is there a catch?
What Is FreeTaxUSA?
FreeTaxUSA is an IRS-authorized online tax preparation and filing service. It is owned by TaxHawk, Inc., a Utah-based company that has been in the tax software business since 2001. FreeTaxUSA is part of the IRS Free File Alliance, meaning it meets IRS standards for tax filing software.
Is FreeTaxUSA Safe?
Yes. FreeTaxUSA is a completely legitimate, IRS-authorized tax filing platform. It uses bank-level encryption to protect your data, and your return is submitted directly to the IRS — exactly the same way TurboTax and other major providers file.
What Is Actually Free?
- Federal tax return filing: 100% free for all users
- State return filing: $14.99 per state (this is the only cost)
- Deluxe upgrade (audit support, priority support): $7.99 (optional)
FreeTaxUSA vs TurboTax
- FreeTaxUSA: Federal free, state $14.99 — total ~$15 for most people
- TurboTax: Federal $0–$89, state $0–$59 — total up to $148 for similar returns
Verdict
FreeTaxUSA is 100% legit and one of the best value tax filing options in the US. The software handles complex returns well, and the $14.99 state fee is far cheaper than competitors. Highly recommended if you want to save money on tax filing.
