After our stories published, some people demanded and got refunds. TurboTax’s misleading advertising and website design directed users to more expensive versions of the software, even if they qualified to file for free. This version is offered through the Free File agreement. You can access TurboTax’s Free File version here. If you clicked on this “FREE Guaranteed” option, you could input a lot of your information, only to be told toward the end of the process that you need to pay. Don’t worry, there is a way to access the truly free version.Īs ProPublica reported last year, TurboTax purposefully hid its Free File product and directed taxpayers to a version where many had to pay, which is called the TurboTax Free Edition. If you make less than $36,000 a year (or $69,000 if you’re in the military) and TurboTax is telling you it costs money to file, you are probably using the wrong version of TurboTax. ’s base guide is a good place to start.īest for: People in the military and their families who want advice from someone who knows the ins and outs of military tax filing. If you’re in the military, you can get free in-person tax help on many U.S. Keep in mind that some locations may require an appointment.īest for: People who are confused by the tax process and want someone to help walk them through the process. You can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance locator tool or call 80 to find someone to help you. The program matches you with IRS-certified volunteers across the country who can help with free basic income tax preparation and electronic filing. Make less than around $56,000 a year, OR.You can qualify for the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program if you: How can I get in-person tax help for free? The phone number is 80, or you can live chat with them here.īest for: People in the Military, Guard or Reserves and their families. You can also get free advice from a professional who understands tax issues specific to the military. There are no income or tax form restrictions. It is available for free to active-duty service members as well as those in the Guard or Reserves, as well as their families. If you’re in the military, you can use MilTax, a service provided by the Department of Defense that uses a version of H&R Block’s tax software. In another case, Credit Karma offers a free tax filing service for “all supported forms,” but the company tries to monetize your personal tax data by using it to target you with advertising.īest for: People who don’t qualify for Free File but have income only from a standard job and perhaps a bank account, and want to file online. Here is the list of forms supported by TurboTax “Free Edition.” Here is the list of forms supported by TaxAct’s “free” offer. Here is the list of forms supported by H&R Block’s “free online” version. So read the fine print before you decide. Which forms are free and which will trigger a fee depends on the company. The widely advertised “free” options are typically only really free based on which tax forms you need to file. If you make more than $69,000 a year, there may be free options available to you offered by several commercial tax prep companies, like Intuit (TurboTax), H&R Block or TaxAct.īut buyer beware: Some companies use a variety of tactics to try to wring money out of you, often only throwing up a paywall after you’ve gone through the trouble of inputting most of your information. Get Our Top InvestigationsĮmail address This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. ![]() Most of the options provide tax prep for both federal and state returns.īest for: People who make less than the income cap and want a convenient and easy way to file online. Try using the IRS lookup tool to find the right one. It can take a bit of effort to find the correct option to fit your situation. There are options from TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer and others.Įach site has its own eligibility requirements, so be sure to find one that will be free for you. If you make less than $69,000 a year, you can find free tax filing options at the IRS Free File webpage. If you’re not careful, you could end up using a service that says it’s free but demands payment after you’ve spent time entering your information. Most Americans are eligible for free tax preparation services, but the truly free options can be hard to find. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
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