They've somehow decided to send cashiers checks instead of direct deposit, through some 3rd party, although I set my refund for DD (and all of my banking info is correct). A $30 "check reissuance fee" has been taken from my refunds, on top of $40+ they've already taken--and of course I haven't received my refunds although they were posted on 2/22. Absolute scam, this is criminal. Service Value QualityFreeTaxUSA website says state return is free if AGI less than $45,000, but it lies. My AGI is $42,000 and it's telling me I have to pay $15 to file state. The IRS website is promoting FreeTaxUSA as a tax filing site that has free federal AND state returns for all states. Just another situation where a tax site says you can file free but then asks you to pay once you've filled out all the forms.I used freetax this year and after receiving notice that irs had accepted I tried to get back in to the site to check on it, since no arrangement had been made to pay what was due to the irs and after two hours of changing user name, password and getting codes to supposedly get in.Im still unable to get to access it. I have now left my phone number and they are supposed to call back but after all the issues I have my doubts on Service Value Returns QualityThere is a reason Free Tax USA gets a 2.5 star rating - uber confusing site! Despite many time wasting messages to their CS no one suggested or explained state tax could be free and I do NOT need to pay $15 for filing my state return! Very confusin product site with their varous options and upgrades. They could save staff payroll by having phone support! It's too complex a subject and does not lend itself to electroinic CS - it just wasted our and your time! Two different log in requirements for their deluxe, pro, or free service! Would NOT refund my $15 in spite of my bad experience! Products used:CA state tax return prep Service Value QualityThere products are uber confusing! Two different log in requirements for their deluxe, pro, or free services?! Very user unfriendly! I unwittingly paid for state returns by using their upgraded version despite multiple messages to CS - no one pointed out the uber confusing structure and that I could file state for free on their free site! Not even a HQ number, or contact to voice complaints! And of course no phone support whatsoever on their free version. Different CS reps respond to you making for more confusion to an already UBER confusing product ( and subject in general) They could afford to staff up less if they actually had phone support. The multiple emails back and forth are VERY time consuming For customer and CS rep! They refused my request for a refund, even after pointing out the totally confusing nature of their structure and user unfriendlyness of it and lack of CS. Service Value Shipping Returns Quality loadjsReady({ event: 'app', checker: function() { return typeof app === "undefined" || typeof app.profilePicture === "undefined"; }, callback: function() { app.profilePicture('undefined', 'undefined'); } }) Jacqueline J. 1 review 3 helpful votes Follow Jacqueline J. Send Message loadjsReady({ event: "app", checker: function() { return typeof app === "undefined"; }, callback: function() { // } }); Share Review “Took my money and my taxes were not filed” January 26th, 2024 I paid the $14.99 upfront and that was a mistake. I tried to login to the account and it's giving me an issue with that. My federal taxes wasn't filed and the fee was to file my state taxes but that didn't happen. It's too much. Don't use this site pleaseFiling late in a hurry, took a chance on this software. It seemed to work, all data entered, preview looked ok. I just needed it to print so I can mail it. It prints an empty form. Wasted an hour with this garbage. Not free, charges $15 for state. Says it will print but it wastes paper and ink on an empty form. This site would get a lower review if allowed.It was easy to use could not put my paperwork up to print it. Can't get in touch with anyone. I do not know if it was filed or not. They have all of my personal information which I do not like since they aren't responding. Service Value QualityFiling maybe free but if you want your refund, they charge you. My refund was $65 but if you the refund you have to pay FreeTaxUSA so I never got my refundCame across review in Kiplinger on free tax software and FreeTaxUSA appealed to me. I used it for last year (2020) filing and the process worked very well for me. I have several sources of retirement income and numerous streams of investment income, so the input was a little tedious but about the same as H&R Block. I will most likely use this again for 2021. The price is right... FREE.I wrote an earlier one-star review that documented major issues, especially if you need to amend your return, e.g. it gets rejected because of an incorrect entry or missing PIN. Then "free" does not mean Free! It means now you pay! Now for the real stinger - I mentioned in that previous review that the forms have a bold "PREVIEW COPY DO NOT FILE" printed across them. That PDF showed up at the time the forms were filed. So now I want to go back and print a copy both for review and for my records. The return is NO LONGER AVAILABLE for review, copy or print. Why? The files are NOT SAVED ON YOUR COMPUTER! In other words, you no longer have a record of your return. They have all those forms and you can't have access - no matter that they have all your personal and financial information on them. At the least this is unethical but also THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL! Presumably, all that information is on THEIR STORAGE - no matter that it's encrypted. At least I hope it is because they would be a prime target for cyber thieves. H&R Block, TurboTax, et al save clear copies of all forms on your computer and you have free access and can even make changes at will. Need to amend a return - no problem. Sure you pay for the re-filing online but you could also just mail the return in at no cost except the stamps. Frankly, I'm baffled by all the ratings by CNN, CNET, computer magazines etc. that apparently only read their bubbly claims and didn't actually use the software. Sorry I can't give a minus 5 rating! Tip for consumers:Their policies are overtly restrictive and unethical. Products used:"Free" tax software Service Value QualityIf you need support, no matter how simple, you have three choices: free email which never gets answered, chat for $7.50 or Pro for $49.99 (presumably someone who can spell gouge! Once your return is filed you NO LONGER have access to the forms, only a PDF with a bold PREVIEW COPY DO NOT FILE splashed across each page. ANY correction requires their support - you're prohibited from making any changes once the return is submitted. Misspelled your middle name, typed a wrong digit, wrong PIN? Pay up! And, if you have to resubmit you have to pay for that as well. I suppose as long as your return is simple and you don't make any mistakes this would be a good alternative but TurboTax allows multiple corrections and could end up costing less loadjsReady({ event: 'app', checker: function() { return typeof app === "undefined" || typeof app.profilePicture === "undefined"; }, callback: function() { app.profilePicture('undefined', 'undefined'); } }) Scilla C. 1 review 1 helpful vote Follow Scilla C. Send Message loadjsReady({ event: "app", checker: function() { return typeof app === "undefined"; }, callback: function() { // } }); Share Review “OK for simple returns but can't handle some things” February 8th, 2024 This is the second year I used this site. Last year worked ok, but this year it will not let me show that my Schedule C net is not subject to Self-Employment tax. I am a notary, and that income is exempt from SE tax. Also, it computed deprecation on my car incorrectly. I am a retired tax professional, so I don't need tax help, but you can't even get hold of them regarding technical problems with their website. Products used:Tax preparation software Service Value QualityThis company screwed up my taxes by not informing my resident state (Ct,) of taxes I paid while working in a neighboring state.(NY) The result was an overpayment of $4,215 to Ct. There was no live person I could talk to to resolve the issue. I had to negotiate with Connecticut tax authorities to fix the problem-a long drawn out process. I had been using TurboTax in previous years with no problems. Their (Turbotax) system automatically stops the whole process if there is missing or incorrect data. Do not use this company to file your taxes!I have done my taxes for years on turbo tax. Last 2 yrs I used Free tax USA. Both times delayed my refund. 1st time banking info incorrect. I asked for direct deposit to prepaid they were providing. The account # on my tax form was not the same as the direct deposit form they made for you to get the card. 2nd time I was told my Ss info on w-2 was incorrect. Well I know u entered it correctly when filing. I paid close attention. The amount that they put on my return was not what I entered. How do I know? BECAUSE I DOUBLE CHECKED WHEN FILLING OUT. THE AMOUNT THAT WAS ON ACTUAL FROM WAS AN AMOUNT NOT EVEN ON W-2. WHERE DID I GET THAT AMOUNT I GUESS I PULLED OUT OF MY $#*!!They charged me for state tax returns, then only after being charged, informed me that efile was not available and I have to print it out and mail it. Guess what? Printing it out and mailing it is free! What the $#*! did I just pay for? They will tell you it's for "preparing" my documents, but I sure feel like I'm the one who did all the typing. All I wanted them to do was efile for me. That's the whole point of these efile sites, right? We need a public tax filing site, no more of this private bull$#*!. Service Value Shipping Returns QualityTheir software sent my refund to a closed account and it ended up costing me 1/4 of my total return then they chat back via message that i did something wrong and sent it to.the old account?! Zero accountability and I'm filing complaints with the attorney General DO NOT USE FREE TAX USA THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE OF THEIR FLAWED SOFTWARE THEN BLAME IT ON YOU! BUYER BEWARE PAY WHAT TURBO TAX CHARGES AT LEAST YOU WONT GET RIPPED OFF LIKE I DID! Tip for consumers:Buyer beware they will not refund you !! Products used:Free file Service Value QualityFinally a free tax site that is legitimate! I found no hidden fees or expenses! I do a simple return and this site is perfect for me! They do offer other products for tax returns a bit tricky but their prices were a so reasonable compared to other sites that offer that type of products. The first year I didn't have state taxes so it was completely FREE to file! I now live in a state that I do pay taxes,and exactly as they promised 14.99 no more! Awesome job