FreeTaxUSA review

FreeTaxUSA gives the most complete free federal return on this list. The vendor lists four levels, Basic, Advanced, Premium and Self-Employed, and each one costs $0 for the federal return, so home ownership, rental income, investments, home sales and freelance income do not push you into a higher price. You pay $15.99 per state return. W-2 and 1099 forms can be uploaded or photographed to fill in your numbers, returning users get their data rolled over, and e-file, a printable return and a tax extension are included at no charge. Support is where the company makes money: basic help by email and the message center is free, Deluxe Support at $7.99 adds live chat and unlimited amended returns, and Pro Support at $44.99 adds calls or chats with a tax pro and a final review. Audit Defense costs $19.99. The interface is plainer than TurboTax, but for most people filing their own return it covers the same ground for far less.

Who it is for

Filers with homes, investments, rentals or freelance income who want a full federal return for free.

Price

Federal returns free for every tax situation; $15.99 per state return.

Federal Tax Returns Free State Tax Returns $15.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Free federal return on Basic, Advanced, Premium and Self-Employed levels
• W-2 and 1099 import by file upload or photo
• Free tax extension, e-file and printable return
• Optional Deluxe Support at $7.99 with live chat and unlimited amended returns
• Prior year returns from 2019 to 2025 with free federal filing

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Rental income, investments and self-employment are included in the free federal return
• Strength: Low $15.99 state fee
• Strength: Already open for 2026 returns
• Weakness: Free support is email and the in-app message center only
• Weakness: Tax pro advice costs $44.99 with Pro Support
• Weakness: Paying from your refund adds $24.99

Key facts

• Federal price: $0
• State price: $15.99
• Returns filed: Over 82 million, per the vendor

Where it ranks

FreeTaxUSA is No. 1 in our Best Tax Software verdict.