From the article: What is Free File?
Let others know about your experience with free income tax preparation software. Was the free tax software stripped down, or did it have adequate features? Was it easy to use, or were you frustrated with it? Did you experience any annoyances free tax software? Give Your Opinion
TaxAct
- Have used TaxAct for several years. Not the Fee one but the 9.95 included the first return e-filed as part of the purchase price. I believe each return e-filed after that was like 6.95. If you wanted to do your taxes and printout the forms and mail them it was free. It works very well and has for along time. You can also import all data from last year so if you miss something you are likely to catch it.
- —Guest TDave
ESMARTTAX NEW BASIC VERSION BAIT N SWITC
- HAD USED ESMARTTAX BASIC FOR YEARS/WAS A GOOD PRODUCT ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE FAMILIAR WITH TAX FORMS AND PROCEDURES/NEW VERSION NO LONGER ALLOWS FORMER CUSTOMERS WITH SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS DIVIDENDS TO USE BASIC, SO DON'T GET STARTED WITH THEM, THEY WILL FIND A WAY TO CHARGE YOU!
- —Guest IRA
TaxACT "Free" Bait-and-switch
- I've tried TaxACT this year for the second time, and they say it's free, but I couldn't view any forms or print anything until I purchased the "Deluxe" version. Pretty worthless I'd say. It says, "Pay When You File," so they admit it's not really free. While $9.95 isn't much, I still think it's bait and switch.
- —Guest Jean
Free e-File Fillable Forms: No Tax Help
- For the 2010 tax return, I used the IRS free fillable forms and electronically filed them for free. I had to use this method to file for free because my income is over $50,000. It worked pretty well. I had no issues completing the forms and received a verification from the IRS that my taxes were accepted within four hours of filing. The thing I didn't like at all is that it is very time consuming. You have to manually enter every Form W-2 and Form 1099-R. I mean every number and checkmark in every box, in addition to the forms that you complete for your tax return (Form 1040, Schedules, extra forms). The printout that you get after completing the forms is great. This service is not for the novice. There is no wizard help. You have to know the tax law and how to enter it on the forms. I mainly did it because I was curious. I'm going to make sure I don't have a refund next year and then just mail a paper return. Until electronic filing is easy/free, I don't intend to do it.
- —Guest kazy
DIY
- I've always just done it the old-fashioned way. Pencil, 1040 instructions and a calculator. I do have some family members that have had luck with free tax software.
- —Guest dave
Don't forget TaxACT
- While the article mentioned TurboTax and H&R Block, it didn't specifically mention TaxACT, which pioneered free tax software and offers both desktop and on-line free editions.
- —ojn
