Tax season can be a stressful time for many people, especially those who are filing their taxes for the first time. With so many different tax software services available, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for your needs. Fortunately, there are some great free tax software services that can help you get your taxes done quickly and accurately. Cash App Taxes is a great option for those with the simplest tax returns.
It is easy to import information and data, and it includes the vast majority of IRS forms at no cost. The biggest strength of Cash App Taxes is that it will work for almost any taxpayer, with only a few restrictions such as foreign income, non-resident state returns, increased standard deduction (rare), and marriage filing an individual return in community property states. Cash App Taxes doesn't even have any paid tax preparation services, so you don't have to worry about improvement proposals. TaxSlayer Premium is another great option for those who value excellent customer service and want to pay a low price for a product with great support.
Taxpayers who pay for the TaxSlayer premium option have access to a priority phone line. TaxSlayer also offers chat and phone tax assistance, as well as more standard options such as live chat and email support. We selected TaxSlayer Self-Employed (SE) as the best option for self-employed filers, because it offers strong customer service (including a priority telephone line) and a platform that is easy and intuitive to use, even for the most complicated filings. MyFreeTaxes (sponsored by United Way and using TaxSlayer as a platform) is completely free and has no income or age limitations.
It works with all states that require a tax return, except Montana. The level of support in MyFreeTaxes is not comparable to that of major products such as TurboTax or H&R Block, but it does include live chat and contextual help content. The IRS Free File (PPP) program is also an excellent option for those who don't want to spend money to file their tax return. This partnership represents a balance of joint responsibility and collaboration that serves the interests of taxpayers and the federal government.
The biggest differences between tax filing options lie in how thorough your questions are, whether they ask the right questions, and how pleasant or exhausting the experience is. Finally, Credit Karma also offers free federal filing for those with simpler tax returns. It does not support filing in several states and some common forms, such as underpayment of estimated taxes, and does not offer live support. However, it does offer access to some deductions and tax credits, including the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, and educational expenses. For those who need additional help with their taxes, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs provide certified volunteer assistance for those who qualify.
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