[neapolisbeach]

I used FreeTaxUSA this year to file and was happy with them except for a pretty dark pattern.

If you google "FreeTaxUSA" and log-in that way, it'll change your free-file account to a paid account and there is no way to change it back. To free-file with them, you need to always log in using the special IRS link.

I thought this was pretty annoying, especially as there's no way for customer service to change it back. Their recommendation was to make a new account and re-enter all my tax info.

[selykg]

I did not have that experience. I went directly to the site and my federal was free. State was $15 or whatever it was. I did not use the IRS link.

[neapolisbeach]

The state is free if you make under a certain amount which was the case for me. I ended up just paying the $15 rather than re-entering anything.

[ezfe]

Federal return is always free

[deathanatos]

You say it's "always free", but a cousin comment in this thread a few levels up claims it as "$13.50".

[discardedrefuse]

There are 2 parts to tax returns in the US: the Federal File and the State File (though, not all states require you to file taxes). With FreeTaxUSA The Federal File is always free. The State File is $15 unless you make under a certain amount and use the IRS link to get to the website.

This IRS link issue is something I've noticed with TurboTax and TaxSlayer in the past. They hide their free file (even the Federal File) from users unless they use the IRS link.

[kaitai]

But this is false. Go check it yourself: federal efile through Freetaxusa is free. I did it last night.

[deathanatos]

I've already filed for the year, so it's too late for me to check it that way.

Or, unless you're saying I should believe the marketing, but again, we're in a thread about the marketing from companies in that industry being false…

[jackson1442]

Weird, I just go to freetaxusa.com and have never had a problem.

[jandrese]

That's weird, I've never used the IRS link and it always left me on the Free path. I'm not low enough income or with simple enough returns to qualify for the free filing that TurboTax used to offer either.

[beckingz]

Huh. That's weird.

At least the paid accounts are cheaper than H&R block's gotcha upsells!