This is a public-private partnership between the IRS and several tax preparation and filing software companies. Some users report having their return rejected due to an errorīest for: Filers with simple W-2 or unemployment income only claiming student loan interest.
It has a free option that allows users to file their federal and state taxes at no cost. Some users reported bugs and glitches that impacted their returnsīest for: Filers with simple tax returns and no student loan interest or HSA contributionsĬonsumer Affairs score: 3.8 out of 5 4.Doesn’t cover HSA contributions or student loan interest.Free version covers multiple tax filing situations.If you meet the criteria, you can use TurboTax to file free federal and state tax returns. Other situations covered by the free edition include:
The free version covers Form 1040 or Form 1040 plus unemployment income. Similar to other software companies, they offer a free option for simple tax returns. TurboTax is one of the most well-known names in tax preparation and filing. Some users reported getting smaller tax returns than expectedīest for: Filers who have a simple tax situation using the basic 1040 tax form.Doesn’t include some of the major common credits and deductions.Free federal and state tax prep and filing.It also includes unlimited email and phone customer service support at no extra charge.
The software allows you to upload your previous tax return, making it easier to switch from another tax prep service. More complicated situations, such as HSA contributions or claiming the Child Tax Credit, will bump you into a paying tier. The free return is limited, but it covers education expenses such as student loan interest deductions and education credits. It’s called Simply Free, and it includes one free federal and one free state return. TaxSlayer has a free option for those who have a simple tax situation and need to use the basic 1040 tax form.