No, FreeTaxUSA is not owned by the government. It is a privately owned company called TaxHawk, Inc., founded in 2001. While it is an authorized IRS e-file provider and a member of the Free File Alliance, it operates independently as a commercial, for-profit tax software service.
TaxHawk, Inc. is the sole owner of the information collected on www.FreeTaxUSA.com. Information is collected in order for taxpayers to prepare and electronically file their tax returns.
We've filed over 82 million returns and meet or exceed IRS security requirements.
ezTaxReturn has been an Authorized IRS e-File Provider since 1999.
EzTaxReturn is a legitimate online tax filing service that has been in business since 1999.
We make money from our state tax return and other optional services. All pricing and payment options.
Information privacy
We do not collect or sell data from the information on your tax return. That information is always kept confidential between you and the IRS.
H&R Block vs.
FreeTaxUSA is a solid alternative to H&R Block because its pricing is competitive, and its features are just slightly behind H&R Block. FreeTaxUSA offers simple pricing: free federal filing and a flat $15.99 per state.
FreeTaxUSA is a tax software that helps individuals and small businesses file taxes and manage personal finance more easily. It's ideal for freelancers, small business owners, and individual filers filing their returns for the first time or seeking a budget-friendly solution.
The main cons of FreeTaxUSA are its basic interface requiring more user knowledge, lack of direct document import (manual entry needed), no true "free" option for complex returns (states cost extra, and some features are paid), and limited free support, though paid options exist, making it less ideal for complex situations or those needing hand-holding compared to premium software.
The IRS $600 rule refers to a change in reporting requirements for third-party payment apps (like Venmo, PayPal) for taxable income from goods and services, where platforms must send a Form 1099-K if you receive over $600 in a year, intended to capture gig economy/side hustle income, though delays and phased implementation have adjusted the timeline, with current rules for 2024 using a higher threshold ($5,000) before fully phasing to $600 for future years, but remember all taxable income, regardless of form, must always be reported.
Yes, FreeTaxUSA is an IRS-approved e-file provider, meaning it's an authorized company that meets IRS security standards and processes millions of tax returns directly with the agency. They've been working with the IRS for years to allow taxpayers to file electronically, ensuring your information is securely transmitted and meets federal guidelines.
Yes, you should take steps to "lock" or protect your Social Security Number (SSN) by using free services like credit freezes and SSN locks (like E-Verify Self Lock), and by being cautious about sharing it, as this significantly helps prevent employment fraud, tax scams, and unauthorized access to accounts. While no single lock stops all identity theft, combining freezes, locks, monitoring your accounts, and limiting SSN disclosure offers strong defense against fraudsters using your SSN for loans, jobs, or benefits.
If someone steals your SSN, they can use it to: Secure employment. Open bank accounts or obtain credit cards. Rent property or sign up for utilities.
You're likely paying a $40 "Refund Processing Fee" because you chose to pay your TurboTax fees (for software, state filing, etc.) by having them automatically deducted from your federal tax refund, instead of paying upfront with a credit/debit card. This fee covers the cost for a third-party bank to handle the transaction, receiving your IRS refund, taking out the TurboTax charges, and sending you the remainder. You can avoid this extra $40 charge by paying your TurboTax fees directly with your own payment card before filing.
We encrypt, secure, and protect your data every step of the way. We never sell your private information.
When you select to pay our fee with your federal or state refund, you set up a temporary bank account with Civista Bank, a division of the Santa Barbara's TPG group.
There is no income limit on FreeTaxUSA. See the IRS FreeFile program for limits, not FreeTaxUSA.