What FreeTaxUSA is
FreeTaxUSA is self-preparation software with $0 supported federal filing and a low fixed state price. The federal product includes many forms that commercial free editions place behind paid investment, rental, itemization, or self-employment tiers.
Support is sold separately from the federal return, allowing a confident filer to pay only for the states and help actually needed.
Current prices
A supported current-year federal return costs $0. Each current-year state return costs $15.99. The public pricing table also lists free Basic support, $7.99 Deluxe Support, $64.99 Pro Support, $19.99 Audit Defense, and separate prices for amendments, prior-year states, refund-payment service, and professional printing.
One federal and state return therefore costs $15.99 before optional help. With Deluxe it is $23.98; with Pro Support it is $80.98. Paying fees from the refund currently costs more than paying the ordinary state charge directly.
Forms and imports
FreeTaxUSA advertises broad support for wages, retirement, unemployment, Social Security, investments, rental property, itemized deductions, a home sale, Schedule C, K-1 data, and more than 350 credits and deductions.
Current document imports include W-2, 1099-R, 1099-MISC, and 1099-NEC images or PDFs, plus PDF import for 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, and consolidated 1099 statements. New users can import prior-year returns from several major competitors.
Reconcile every imported identifier, withholding figure, state box, distribution code, investment proceed, cost basis, wash sale, and carryover. Broad form support does not decide whether a legal position is correct.
Basic, Deluxe, and Pro Support
Basic email and in-app product support costs $0. Deluxe Support adds live chat, priority handling, and unlimited amendments for $7.99.
Pro Support adds personalized advice from a tax professional, phone support, live screen sharing, and chat for $64.99. The professional advises while the customer continues to prepare the return. Pro Support is not a prepared-for-you engagement and the professional does not take over or sign the entire return.
Use authenticated channels for screen sharing and prepare focused questions with the exact tax year, state, document, dates, and facts.
Checks and guarantees
FreeTaxUSA runs final checks and publishes a Calculation Accuracy Guarantee. If an incorrect formula or calculation causes qualifying IRS or state penalties and interest, the written terms describe reimbursement of those penalties and interest. User entry errors and other losses are excluded.
The Maximum Refund Guarantee provides a refund of fees paid and a code for a free amendment when an eligible comparison using the same data produces a larger refund or smaller liability. It does not normally pay the entire difference between results.
Resolve every warning, inspect the Form 1040 and state returns, and preserve source records, acceptance messages, and any claim evidence.
Audit and security
Audit Defense is a separate $19.99 service with its own provider, enrollment deadline, scope, and exclusions. Basic, Deluxe, and Pro Support should not be assumed to provide full audit representation.
FreeTaxUSA states that it encrypts data, secures submissions, controls physical servers, monitors systems, and meets or exceeds IRS security requirements. Customers should also use a unique password, multifactor authentication, a secured email account, and an IRS Identity Protection PIN where appropriate.
Download encrypted copies of the return and e-file acknowledgement outside the commercial account.
A practical low-cost routine
Use the low price to support a careful process rather than a rushed filing. Build a checklist of every W-2, 1099, brokerage statement, business ledger, property record, state, and prior-year carryover. Confirm each form is supported before opening the interview.
Reconcile imported documents line by line, especially withholding, distribution codes, investment basis, wash sales, and state fields. Put unresolved tax questions in a separate list and choose Basic, Deluxe, Pro Support, or an independent professional according to the type of question—not the smallest add-on price.
Before e-file, read the Form 1040 and schedules, compare material changes with last year, and confirm refund or payment routing. Track federal and every state acceptance. Store the complete signed return, acknowledgements, and original records in encrypted storage with a reminder for any estimated payment or amendment.
Where FreeTaxUSA appears on DollarScout
DollarScout's full review scores Price, Ease of Use, Accuracy Tools, Support, and Refund Guidance. Comparisons include states and optional help rather than treating the $0 federal price as the total for every household.
The 4.6/5 rating applies to a supported return prepared by a user comfortable checking forms. It does not prove every unusual form or state is supported and does not turn Pro Support into full preparation.
Decision checklist
Before filing:
- Confirm every federal and state form is supported.
- Add $15.99 for each current-year state.
- Select Basic, Deluxe, Pro, or independent advice deliberately.
- Reconcile imported documents and prior-year carryovers.
- Read the complete federal and state returns.
- Choose Audit Defense only after reading its terms.
- Save the accepted return and records securely.
Editorial conclusion
FreeTaxUSA offers the best transparent value for an engaged DIY filer. The $0 federal return is broad rather than limited to a basic W-2, and the $15.99 state charge is easy to model across several jurisdictions.
The lower price transfers more responsibility to the customer. Anyone who needs a professional to gather documents, make judgments, prepare, and sign should select a different service or independent preparer. For someone willing to reconcile and review, the trade is compelling.