On SmartCustomer, businesses may not offer incentives or pay to remove reviews. Learn more about our Review Guidelines.
FreeTaxUSA Reviews Summary
FreeTaxUSA has a rating of 2 stars from 289 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers dissatisfied with FreeTaxUSA most frequently mention state taxes, last year and customer service. FreeTaxUSA ranks 61st among Tax Preparation sites.
We monitor reviews for authenticity
I have been with FreeTaxUSA since 2006. No problems with refund. I have compared Free Tax USA to other tax filing systems only to learn refund was less with other systems, not sure why. I'm 100% confident and secure with Free Tax USA.
For years I used TaxAct to file my taxes as a self employed business (1040, Schedule C). For the first few years it WAS free for the Federal tax return and I paid $12-14 for my state return, which was acceptable. Then in 2015 they wanted $30 for both the Federal AND State returns! Turbo Tax was more so I paid it. I got on TaxAct this year and it would've cost close to $70! Unacceptable!
That's when I googled and found FreeTaxUSA. Like TaxAct USED to be, they had a FREE Federal return regardless of whether you run a business or not and a very reasonable $12.95 State return filing fee so I went with them.
The website was very intuitive and easy to use. I was able to review and fix things and then download and print. It says ALL OVER the site that the IRS and state returns and refunds will take some time. If you do the EIC the IRS CAN'T pay until Feb 15 at the earliest and probably not until Feb 27. That's not FreeTaxUSA's doing. It's the government. I'm just glad I was able to file hassle free and am impressed it wasn't painful and it REALLY WAS FREE.
Highly recommended and since this is the last year I'll be in business I look forward to a greatly simplified process next year.
This is a great product if you have common sense and know how to read; if you feel like you need more of a walkthrough and hand holding, then go ahead and pay for all the rest, but you will be wasting your money. I've done TurboTax and HR block, and both returns take the same time for more money than this website.
The main complaints are about customer support and taxreturn. I honestly have not seen any difference of when I get my return from the government, and the wait has not been unreasonable. I don't really count on my return as a necessity so it's just a nice bonus to get at the beginning of the year.
Customer support is overrated; if you take a little time to read through the website, you will be able to answer your own questions just as anyone from TurboTax would do over the phone and you will feel happier you know how this stuff works.
It really is a great time saver, convenient, and accurate. The interface could do a little work (all done through jQuery), but it is what you get. Really makes you wonder about all those suckers who pay $40 for a return they can finish in 30 minutes themselves.
If your return is very very complicated, by all means get an accountant, otherwise, just go to FreeTaxUSA. They rock!
I wrote a review and it didn't post. Too many young or uninformed people have written negative reviews. Chief complaint was refund was coming SLOWER or FASTER than another site. This site or another has no bearing on speed of return. Once YOU send it is in the hands of the IRS. Not FreeTax. Take it up with the IRS. Now, my experience the past 2 days with FreeTax has been phenomenal. I put my tax preparation off for 2+ years and the attorney, bank, husband and others wanted them 3 weeks ago and failed to tell me til 2 days ago. I had hangups on both 2014 and 2015 returns. I could not get it to work for me for the life of me. I couldn't get a schedule attached to another and try as I might, (and I did try to trick the software)I could not fix it. So I contacted FreeTax for support, and because I was impatient I asked the same question twice within minutes. Then I had another one. These fine people went above and beyond for me. They gave clear, concise, informative instructions two times for each of the 2 questions I asked. In my hurry to make up for being late for 2014, and 15 I expected answers "snap" right now and dang, I got in a "snap". I will ALWAYS use them and I will urge others to do the same. I've used them for years and not one complaint. Thanks FreeTaxUSA.
Its kind of strange that I filed my ex husbands tax return with turbo tax and his was a 1040A his was accepted and has already gotten his refund. I filed mine the same day with free tax usa and mine was a simple 1040 and it is still processing. Just kind of makes me wonder! Can't call the IRS for 21 days which sucks. Is it 21 days from the date you filed or 21 business days?
Like many people here, I was a devoted TaxAct customer. How nice to have them let me go through the ENTIRE process, only to then say, "oh, and surprise, since you're a small business, you'll now need to pay us $39.95 to process your Federal Return! Ha Ha! ". I then went to Turbo who also says the Federal is free -- exact same rotten trick and shame on these companies. I was then going to go through the agony of doing the paperwork myself and mailing in a check to the IRS. I did one last desperation search and saw Freetaxusa.com and then came here to read the reviews. The only folks who were displeased were the ones who had not received their REFUNDS as fast as they'd like to have them. As the company keeps trying to tell people -- it's the IRS who dictates when the money is released, not Freetaxusa. Anyway, long story short: I was expecting a bare bones sort of software system when I did my Federal with them -- but it's not, it's top notch and it walks you through the steps JUST LIKE the crooks at the top companies USED to do. I just filed my Federal this morning and it went like a breeze. They also show you the companies who will do the electronic payment with your cc -- and I did. It's done. I wanted to come back and do this review because of the great people who took the time to do THEIRS and they encouraged me to try it. A big thank you to the folks who reviewed the site here, and thank you Freetaxusa, because your calculation system saved me $130. I know where to go next year.
I've been using them for 8 years and have never had a problem. They actually were more accurate then when I went to an H & R Block. The comments on here are so strange.
I've been using FreeTaxUSA for 4 years now and love how easy and streamlined they've made the process. Prompt screens are clear and concise. If I'm not understanding something they have info bubbles on each item to give a little more background information.
Unfortunately, FreeTaxUSA is being given negative reviews based on the time it's taking people to get their refunds, which has nothing to do with them! So please people, pay attention to the reason why your return has not come yet. This service is just the mailman delivering your package to the IRS. Well, your package was delivered, so why are you getting mad at the mailman after he did his job? Simplified analogy, but you get my point.
Yes! You are refusing to recognize or help me even though I paid extra for assistance. I cannot believe what a bad service you are. I am still waiting for my tax refund or even for SOME INFORMATION as to what the status is! The Facebook rep for your company knew nothing and when I try to access your main site, you make it so complicated i cannot get through. You should not be allowed to have such a service and cheat and lie to your customers
Hi Bernadette, sorry for any confusion. Our software helps you prepare and file your tax return. You can order the Deluxe Edition for priority customer support while preparing your tax return, among other things. However, once the IRS has accepted a tax return, regardless of how it was prepared and filed, they are in control of the rest of the process. The IRS will have the most up-to-date information on the status of your tax refund. After 21 days you can call the IRS and have one of their representatives research the status of your tax refund. Their number is 1-800-829-1040 and representatives are available from 7am-7pm local time. Security measures were increased industry wide to provide additional protection for your personal information. If you are having trouble signing in to your account you can use the Forgot Username and Forgot Password tools to help.
Hi Tina, sorry to hear you’re still waiting. The timing of tax refunds is controlled by the IRS. If it’s been over 21 days since the IRS has accepted your tax return, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and have one of their representatives research the status of your tax return. They have representatives available from 7am-7pm your local time.
I filed taxes in February and I am still waiting on my Federal return, still in processing status. It has been a month, don't understand the issue, they accepted and now I am still waiting.
Hi Debbie, sorry to hear you’re still waiting on your Federal return. Once the IRS has accepted your tax return the rest of the process is in their control, including the timing. The IRS will have the most up-to-date information on the status of your tax return. After 21 days, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and one of their representatives will be able to research the status of your tax return.
My taxes say I was accepted from irs but now it's saying waiting to be processed, what do I do? Some one please help me it's horrible
Hi Robert, that’s perfectly normal. Your tax return will go through various phases. When the IRS receives your tax return and if everything looks okay, they will accept your tax return. They will then process your tax return, most are processed in less than 21 days after being accepted. Once your tax return has been processed, if you are receiving a tax refund your status will change to “Refund Approved” followed by “Refund Sent”. The most up-to-date information about your tax refund will be available from the IRS Where’s My Refund? Tool. If you have any other questions, please send an email to [email protected] and a member of our customer support team will be happy to assist you.
Filed my taxes and I haven't received my return yet it has been a month and a half I'm very upset
Hi Lasheka, sorry to hear your tax refund hasn’t been received yet. I would recommend signing in to your FreeTaxUSA account and use the ‘Check E-File Status’ link to verify your tax return has been accepted. If your tax return has been accepted, the IRS is in control of the remainder of the process. If your tax return has been accepted for more than 21 days, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and a representative will be able to research the status of your tax return.
This year is my first time using FreeTaxUSA. I thought it was fantastic. Easy to use... and free for federal even with business income.
When do people typically receive their federal tax return when they've chosen direct deposit? It's not even that much only like $100, why does it take so damn long?
Hi Syrena, the IRS has said they expect to issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. The exact timing can vary with different tax situations and from year to year as the IRS makes changes in their processing system. The IRS works hard to process your tax return as fast as possible. Once your tax refund has been approved, direct deposit will help you get your refund in the quickest way possible.
This was my first year using free tax USA, Advil not entirely disappointed. The walkthrough was simple and my federal return got to my door quickly. However, as of today i have been waiting two weeks for my state return. I understand that the website is not responsible for how long the IRS takes to deliver the return. Though i cannot help but but worry that a calculation went wrong and i will be fined. If possible i will update this review in the future.
Hi Antonio, processing times can vary from year to year. States generally do take longer than the IRS to process refunds. This year several states will be even slower than they have in the past due to additional fraud checks. We guarantee the accuracy of our calculations. If you ever have a question about how something is calculated, click on the ‘Contact Support’ link while signed in to your FreeTaxUSA account and our support team will be happy to assist you.
I just filed my 2012 return with FreeTaxUSA and was just informed that i cannot efile 2012 tax return. Also i was just informed that i will get no refund. Was i charged the $12.95 for nothing? The irs is holding my 2015 refund due to not filing for 2012. As this is an urgent situation, any information will be appreciated.
Hi Sam, the IRS only accepts e-filed returns for the current tax year, prior year returns must be printed and mailed. Any tax refunds need to be claimed within 3 years of the return due date, so if you just filed your 2012 tax return you wouldn’t qualify for a refund for that year. It can still be worth filing a prior year return because the IRS may withhold your current year tax refund if there are any prior year returns that are past due. The IRS has some good information about prior year tax returns here: https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Filing-Past-Due-Tax-Returns
This year is my 10th year using FreeTaxUSA. I got an on line coupon code for 10% off so I paid only $11.66 for my Federal and VA State returns to be prepared and efiled. I had my Virginia tax refund directly deposited into my checking account after only two and a half days. In the past I have gotten the Federal refunds in 7 to 10 days. Best of all, I am confident that were I to be audited I would come out clean. Because I have my old returns on file the soft ware automatically did a carry over stock loss from a previous year which saved me a pile this year. Works for me. I have always found the site soft ware user friendly.
I met the criteria for a free file for federal which I did. They said state was 12.95. After I completed all the required information including my credit card info, they informed me that my state wouldn't accept my return and would have to file a paper copy. They went ahead and charged my credit card for the 12.95 anyway. Thanks for nothing. Next year I am going back to filing paper taxes. It gets worse every year. This is the worse e-filing company yet and should NOT be recommended on the IRS web site.
Hi Anne, sorry for any confusion. The $12.95 is for the preparation of your state tax return whether e-filed or printed to mail in. Some customers choose to just print their tax returns to send through the mail. Some choose to e-file the returns. Others, for a variety of reasons, are unable to e-file their tax returns and need to print the tax returns to mail.
I have used thus site for the last 4 years and u have never had an issue I submit it gets accepted and u get my money normally within 7 to 8 days and its true once it is accepted by the IRS it up to them to pay you not the site you can have this issue with any if the sites ultimately the IRS IS IN CONTROL OF YOUR RETURN NOT THE SITE. I LOVE TGE SITE I ALSI DI OTHERS TAXES ON TGE SITE TGEY HAVE NIT HAD ANY ISSUES EITHER.
From the business
FreeTaxUSA is an authorized IRS e-file provider. The company has securely filed millions of federal tax returns with the IRS. Each year, the website helps taxpayers save millions of dollars in tax preparation fees with free federal and low-cost state offers.
Each tax year, a team of tax analysts updates the software to the latest federal and state standards. The software incorporates new credits, deductions, and changes to the tax code. Once the software is updated, it goes through a rigorous testing and approval process with the IRS and each state. This ensures the software is ready for the new tax season.
FreeTaxUSA is 100% made in America. All customer service representatives live and work in the United States. When you file your taxes with FreeTaxUSA, you are supporting American families and creating American jobs.
We don’t provide tax advice, account specifics, or customer support through SiteJabber. The safest and quickest way to get support is to sign in to your FreeTax...
See reviews as you browse!
Get the Chrome Extension.
Add Extension
- SmartCustomer’s sole mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
- SmartCustomer has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
- Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
- SmartCustomer’s sole mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
- SmartCustomer has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
- Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
SmartCustomer for Business
Gain trust and grow your business with customer reviews.
Claim your free account
Hi Liz, once the IRS accepts a tax return the rest of the process is in their hands, including timing. The timing can vary year to year and person to person. The IRS has said they expect to issue most tax refunds in less than 21 calendar days after accepting a tax return.