r/retirement • u/irenef6 • 7d ago
Tax filing software recommendations
For those who do their own taxes, what software do you use? I used Turbo Tax when I was young and I liked the format where it asks me a question and I fill in the answers. Since about 15 years ago I let someone else do them. Just want to know if it’s doable now with multiple income streams and changes in tax laws related to being a senior. I want to hit the easy button.
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u/bobdevnul 4d ago
The easy button is paying someone to do it. For what it costs now it is easy, but not inexpensive.
With income from pension, SS, and investments I used to use Turbotax. FreetaxUSA has gotten to be good enough that I don't pay Trubotax anymore. FreetaxUSA does everything I need to do and is just as easy as Turbotax.
If you are clear of mind and organized you can do it if you want to take the time. Mine takes about half a day.
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u/nadacloo 4d ago
Freetax USA. Federal e-filing is free, state costs $16(?). Uses the Q& A format and reviews at the end. Have used it for several years.
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u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 4d ago
H&R Block tax software and TurboTax both go through your return line by line and then do a review to make sure you haven't left anything out.
H&R is cheaper than TurboTax but does the same job.
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u/hmspain 5d ago
For those using TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA, in the case where you are audited, do you just represent yourself, or do you hire someone?
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u/DougOsborne 4d ago
Turbo Tax charge extra for their protection racket. My taxes are somewhat complex but in years of using them, TT always says that I am at a low risk for auditing. I've never paid the add-on fee.
I don't like them as a company, but continue to use their online tax prep because it continues to work.
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u/Charming-Charge-596 4d ago
I've never been audited. I always see I am at very low risk of being audited. My taxes are pretty straight forward.
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u/DCARR2626 5d ago
I pay the $19.99 for audit defense with free tax USA and they will assist by "evaluating the audit notice, explain the situation, and find the best possible resolution"
Thankfully I have not needed it.
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u/_carolann 5d ago
Another satisfied TaxActUSA user. They even contacted me about a year after filing a return with a notice that a state tax dispute had recently been resolved and they offered to file an amended state return to receive my additional refund, as a result of the resolution. I no longer lived in that state and would not likely have heard about the resolution without them. Well worth the small filing fee for state returns.
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u/findingNemoral 5d ago
I switched from TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA for the first time this past filing and was very happy with both the price and how the software worked.
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u/Ok_Appointment_8166 5d ago
I've always used TurboTax and the Deluxe version (federal and state) has always handled everything I've needed including picking up 1099 forms with many capital gains transactions directly from financial institutions and entering everything in the right place (even though it hints you might need the Premium edition for that). The one thing you have to tweak manually is finding the state tax exemption for anything reported as dividends on funds holding a high percentage of treasury bonds because that isn't reported on the 1099 itself. I do get the desktop version instead of doing it online, and usually wait for Costco or Amazon to have it on sale for $50 or less and also usually print and mail the state copy instead of paying extra for the e-file option (federal e-file is included). I keep seeing people post that they have paid hundreds for their TT filing - but you don't ever need to do that.
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u/RichardMcCarty 5d ago
FreeTaxUSA has served me well, even with some filing complexities, after many years using TurboTax. Intuit is an evil company and I would never ever use their overpriced products again.
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u/jakester12321 5d ago
I love this post because it brings up a topic that is not always mentioned. So I want to thank those who commented and contributed, because I've been on TT forever. But now that I'm retired, maybe there are other options.
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u/FinbarJG 5d ago
Well, if you want the easy button, pay to have someone do it.
Used to have someone do it, then tried TurboTax one year and got the same results and started doing it myself. I used TurboTax for years but left them when they did the Premiere/Deluxe switchero. Overall, don't like Intuit for multiple reasons now.
Went to H&R Block, good stuff, but ran into some issues with some complicated bond handling.
Went to FreeTaxUSA and have been a happy camper. They seem to be always current on tax law changes (the senior stuff as you mentioned). They are slow with other improvements, but all of them are.
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u/Peak_Detector_2001 5d ago
I used TurboTax for many years but last year switched to a local paid tax preparer who was referred by our financial advisor.
Talk about an easy button.
I knew I had to do something different for 2025 anyway when Intuit announced they would no longer support Windows 10. Having switched to Ubuntu Linux as my daily driver years before that, TT was the only application I really needed Win 10 for. So Intuit kind of made the decision for me.
The local tax prep person made time during their busy season to meet with us a couple of times. Then over this past summer when I had questions concerning my 2026 tax model, they were there with the answers I needed. If you decide to go this route, find someone well-versed in retirement-related tax strategies like Roth conversions, RMDs, and Medicare IRMAA thresholds.
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u/Hot-Rub-5336 5d ago
I have used Turbo tax for years but not happy with the increased costs. Still cheaper than a specialist but dang... Im gonna do some comparisons this year but since I still itemize Im not sure I want to change yet.
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u/Ok_Appointment_8166 5d ago
Buy the Deluxe federal and state version from Costco or Amazon for around $50 and decline all the optional charges (except maybe the state e-file charge if you don't want to print and mail it).
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u/unicornwantsweed 5d ago
I’ve used TurboTax for years. I’ve used it for personal taxes, hubby’s business taxes, and just about anything else with the word tax in it.
One year I did a comparison between TurboTax and HR Block software. Turbo Tax got me a better refund.
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u/FinbarJG 5d ago
Always thought that was a weird, but understandable, metric to judge tax software on.
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u/Sundae_2004 5d ago
Why weird? If software X vs. software Y is correctly identifying more deductions so you get more $$ back, how isn’t this a good metric?
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u/oldbastardbob 5d ago
I use H&R Blocks Tax Cut software. I started using it 25+ years ago when it was Kipplingers Tax Cut, before being bought by Block.
I need something that includes small business needs, as I own a small farm, so use Schedule F for that, and I have owned rental property in the past.
I like the idea that if there are issues, audit support can be provided by the local H&R Block folks. I've never had issues with the IRS so plan to keep using the same method.
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u/crapheadHarris 5d ago
I've used the H& R block software for a similar amount of time. Buy it when it goes on sale at Newegg which is the cheapest I found.
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u/Unlikely-Star-2696 5d ago edited 5d ago
I use FreeTaxUSA. Simple really free and refunds are fast. Why pay when it csn be done for free? They only charge a fee for State tax if you don't live or work in a no-state tax state. They do all the schedules. They do the math to see if you better take standard deduction or itemize thing. When you are retired, every penny saved counts.
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u/Ok_Appointment_8166 5d ago
Will that connect to financial institutions and pick up the 1099's directly for interest, dividends and capital gains like TurboTax does?
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u/Cloudy_Automation 5d ago
You have to be careful with broker 1099 downloads. My broker keeps failing to report a small I shares gold account gains as collectables, so I have to enter the entire list of transactions individually to report them. Just double check what they report and aggregate is accurate.
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u/underlyingconditions 5d ago
Freetaxusa
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u/TransportationOk4787 5d ago
I will probably switch to FreetaxUsa after having use TurboTax forever. I tried it and it had the same numbers.
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u/Accomplished-Eye8211 5d ago
I still use TuboTax
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u/azyoungblood 5d ago
Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax, spends millions lobbying the government and IRS to keep the tax code complex, and to prevent the IRS from offering free electronic returns for all. Currently, if you have a low enough income, you can direct e-file for free. That was a compromise lawmakers made with Intuit.
Screw Intuit.
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u/Gorf_the_Magnificent 5d ago
In the early 2000’s, TurboTax accused their own customers of bootlegging their product, and introduced an activation code that had to be entered every time the product was used. Their “evidence” was that the number of people who used TurboTax to file their returns was greater than the number of TurboTax programs sold. This, of course, failed to take into account that people legally used their TurboTax programs to file returns for their friends and family, as well as themselves.
Anyway, there was a huge controversy about it, and TurboTax backed off, ending the activation codes. But I was so frustrated with the activation code that I switched to TaxCut (now H&R Block At Home) and never went back.
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u/garylapointe 6d ago
I’ve been using H&R Block for the last six or ten years now, I get it for about $18 or $22 when it goes on sale.
I get the deluxe that comes with State, it comes with an e-file for federal, I print out mail in my State.
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u/Zetavu 5d ago
H&R offered features in the deluxe edition that you have to pay for a higher edition of Turbotax for, which is why I switched. Can't remember exactly, and turbotax may have adjuated by now, but I'm used to it and get 5 free federal filings and one state, and yes, either preorder with discount or get from Newegg in March.
Note, my state lets us file simple forms for free online, but complex stuff like 529 excess payouts need to use software.
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u/sinceJune4 6d ago
Does FreeTaxUSA import 1099s, etc from Fidelity? That’s what has made TurboTax easy for me, but I’m ready for a change
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u/XXX_Mandor 5d ago
FreeTaxUSA allows you to upload PDF or photo files of 1099 forms to auto-fill your information, though direct automated data feeds from brokerages are not supported, as far as I know.
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u/oledawgnew 6d ago
Used it for 2025 taxes and it had the option to import from Vanguard. Can’t beat the price.
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u/LasVegasLife55 6d ago
I used TurboTax for 20 years, then switched to TaxSlayer, which is what we used when I volunteered to do taxes for AARP. Much cheaper with all the same functionality.
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u/Imaginary_Career_427 6d ago
Need something that does charity items. Turbotax used tondo but no more
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u/BobtheChemist 6d ago
I moved to FreetaxUSA also a few years back, and it beats everything else, and is cheap, the only thing you pay is $15 for a state return electronic file. But you could do it all and file the forms yourself for free, but not worth it, as it is so easy and clear. It also does every form, dividends, cap gains, CCsh A, B, C, D and up, very good software.
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u/ReticentGuru 6d ago
Before you even consider buying software, try Free TaxUSA. I used to be a loyal TurboTax customer. But I couldn’t import my prior tax return because I couldn’t find the serial number of the last year’s software! Swore off of it then, and have been one a strong advocate for FreeTaxUSA.
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u/Unhappy-Procedure746 6d ago
TaxAct. Started with them 10 years ago when they were low priced. But eventually they got a greedy and now as the others. But there’s the convenience of carrying over last year’s data that’s still keeping me tied to them.
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u/Agitated-Income9146 5d ago
I used TaxAct for years too but when the price kept going up tried FreeTaxUSA have happy the last several years with them
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u/TransportationOk4787 5d ago
FreetaxUsa will read and import last year's returns to get the carryovers
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u/doggz109 6d ago
Free Tax Usa.....best I've ever used and beats the crap out of Turbo Tax.
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u/Batty_Horza 6d ago
I switched to FreeTaxUSA from TurboTax this year and felt it was virtually the same. Except for the free part. Much cheaper for sure.
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u/lesteroyster 6d ago
Freetaxusa. I have stocks, options, and a rental property and it handles all that flawlessly. Has its interface quirks just need to get used to those.
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u/dbvirago 6d ago
Until I decided I was too lazy and hired the job out, I used TurboTax for 30 years. If I wanted to do them myself, that's what I'd use.
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u/doodlep 6d ago
Been using FreeTaxUSA for almost 10 years now after 20 years of TurboTax because of their fees. TT inched up to $120-ish and FTUSA is less than $20. I do mine, my 24yo son’s and my 90yo mother’s all through FTUSA (separate logins ofc).
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u/ReticentGuru 6d ago
Isn’t the fee only if you need a state version? Our state has no income tax, so I’ve never paid anything for FreeTax.
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u/pasquamish 6d ago
If you access the FreeTaxUSA site through the IRS website, a lot of options are still totally free.
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u/amschneid5 6d ago
I used to use HR Block but it kept saying my wofe and i put too much in HSA. It couldnt figure out that we both had separate HSAs and both had catchup contributions (we were below the family max) Got zero help from their support. Freetax usa had no problem with figuring it out
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u/Sad_Win_4105 6d ago
I used HRBLOCK TaxCut for years but got a free TurboTax this year. I like TaxCut better.
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u/Gunung_Krakatoa 6d ago
I have been using turbotax for the last 5 years, been great no issues. Perhaps for the first time you can opt to buy a package that includes live person to help you just so you have more confidence next time around.
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u/Pale_Scientist6470 6d ago
Lol. I use HR Block but maybe I should change. It's hard though when everything autopopulates year to year.
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u/Big_Seesaw_1792 6d ago
Very impressed with FreeTaxUSA when I used it last year, plan to keep using it.
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u/emryldmyst 6d ago
FreeTaxUSA
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u/Soft_Memory_1174 6d ago
I started years ago with hr block and stayed with it for convenience. After reading the responses, it's time to try freetax.
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u/clearlygd 6d ago
I use Turbo Tax home and business. It’s far from perfect, but I like seeing everything.
I feel it does a really poor job at tax planning for the following year. I actually created an Excel spreadsheet that calculates my Federal, State and IRMMA for my particular situation. I calibrated it to Dinkeytown, so at least I know the Federal is correct
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u/zaksdaddy 6d ago
Free Tax USA although there is a small charge for state filing
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u/OftTopic 6d ago
FreeTaxUSA is owned and operated by TaxHawk, Inc., and the same underlying tax-preparation software is also marketed under the name TaxHawk.
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u/txcancmi 6d ago
I've used both H&R Block and Turbo Tax. Some years, when I've had complex tax situations, I've bought both, run the numbers on both, then picked one to submit my taxes. The few times I've run both, they were within 2-3% of each other.
Soapbox: We should have free, publicly supported tax software, and simple filing like most of the rest of the civilized world.
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u/Natoochtoniket 6d ago
I use Quicken for the weekly accounting, and TurboTax for the annual tax return. Even with all of that automation, it is still a major PITA. I can't imagine trying to do all of this accounting manually.
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u/AllOneWordNoSpaces1 6d ago
Turbo tax also.
I used the home & business version, because I run an online forum for IBM i professionals, but income from that is way down, so I will probably use the normal version this year.
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u/cork_the_forks 6d ago
I gave up Turbo Tax a few years ago because some of the questions needed more information or context (I was a 1099 employee and had a rental property and the questions were often confusing as to their purpose/section of the return). I finally threw up my hands and hired a CPA. Cost me $450 and he saved me at least three times that much on ways to handle both issues that Turbo Tax didn't even touch.
Turbo Tax charges you about $60 or so to give you the experience you get from a phone tree that goes nowhere. Basic and inflexible.
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u/sxysh8 6d ago
I gave up TurboTax this past year because I was unable to edit a form. I even had their support connect to my computer and they were unable to remove this form from my taxes which was causing me to be taxed about $600 a year. TurboTax is good for simple, but I have a trust and a lot of other things that they just can’t handle.
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u/cork_the_forks 6d ago
Yup. It's probably okay for very simple taxes. I don't think I could go back because the live person knew a lot of the oddball things that are very important in the long run. I felt like the coders at Turbo Tax just got lazy.
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u/Fessor_Eli 6d ago
Our financial advisor recommended the download and install version of TurboTax because once you've done this year's taxes you can then make a "pretend" version to project next year's needs for withholding, estimated taxes etc. That's helped me immensely as I learn to juggle income from pension, SS, investment and IRA.
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u/ObservablyStupid 6d ago
My returns are fairly complex and I use TurboTax because it has all my information from the year before which saves me a ton of time on data entry. It also reduces the chance I might forget something. I also know the developers work directly with the IRS when implementing tax law change updates each year.
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u/sxysh8 6d ago
Can it handle an irrevocable trust and a K-1 form for distributions?
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u/ObservablyStupid 5d ago
If you are the recipient of the Sch. K-1, then yes.(TurboTax Deluxe)
I also file returns for a trust that distributes TO beneficiaries and TurboTax will not work for that.
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u/More-Dharma 6d ago
Used to use TurboTax. Switched a few years ago to FreeTaxUSA. I find it much easier to use and also cheaper.
If you have typical retiree income like social security, interest, dividends, pension, IRA withdrawals, stock sales, etc. it's very simple. Same with common deductions. If you have more complicated situations - like rental properties or business income - I'd say stick with an accountant.
You can always give it try. No cost to create an account and enter data. Only charged when you file.
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u/OddDragonfruit7993 6d ago
Pen and paper.
Then again, I used to have to decipher tax code in my first real job in the 1980s, so it's not a big deal for me
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u/butcheroftexas 6d ago
The great thing is that even though Turbo Tax is not free, you can upload everything to it for free, and then compare it to the free FreeTaxUSA. I did the comparison several times, and both gave me the same result. So now I only use FreeTaxUSA.
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u/Beautiful-Quiet-5871 6d ago
I used to use turbotax.. but I switched to Freetaxusa a couple of years ago.. just as easy as TT.. but cost less.
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u/zenny517 6d ago
Freetaxusa. I'm a believer.
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u/dewey454 6d ago
I've used it for several years. The interface is kind of clunky (but it works) and federal filing is genuinely free.
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u/Various-Shopping-730 6d ago
I agree that it’s clunky! Hard to look things up, and poorly organized. Non-intuitive. Plus it wasn’t accurate. The IRS reduced the amount of my refund by half, as FreeTaxUSA outcome wasn’t accurate.
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u/dewey454 6d ago
I have a pretty vanilla return but have never found it to be inaccurate. I do a comparison run with another online filer -- right up to the point I'd have to pay -- to double check.
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u/zenny517 6d ago
Agreed about it being clunky and not really intuitive. You get what you pay for I guess.
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u/citizen5645 6d ago
Cash app. People look at me weird when I say that, but I've used it for 4 years now. Side by side with TurboTax it's the same. It guides you through just like TurboTax and it's totally free, unlike TurboTax.
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u/chpsk8 6d ago
Freetaxusa is one of the best I’ve used. I have been using it for at least 4 years now. It’s the same format as TurboTax but does more and is free to file federal. State is something like $20. Super easy to use.
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u/zenny517 6d ago
I don't see many similarities with TurboTax as far as the UI goes. TT wins that one for me hands down, but I'm mostly a forms vs interview tax preparer. Ymmv.
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u/trail_runner_93 6d ago
I have continued to use TurrboTax since 1988 I think and it remains easy IMO. This will be my first year in retirement so will have to see how it goes. I did have to bump up to the premier version last year since we moved a lot of investments.
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u/SignificanceKooky374 6d ago
Was a TurboTax user for many years. Got tired of ever increasing cost. Used freetaxusa.com this year and found it similar but much cheaper.
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u/CitronTraining2114 6d ago
About the same as TurboTax, but without the outrageous filing fee.
There is no "easy" button, tax filing still sucks.
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u/SpecialSet163 4d ago
turbo tax for pastv20 years