The way it handles the education tax credits is extremely confusing and unhelpful, requiring me to file amended returns to get what I am owed. Nobody should use this service. It is not worth it.
Response from FreeTaxUSAAug 3, 2026
Our software is configured to guide you through answering questions and entering education information for your return. We try to find the right balance between ease of use, simplicity, and making sure that you don’t miss something.
If you have any questions as you navigate through the education section or other areas of the software, there are several question mark buttons that you can click on to get more information. If you still have questions, a member of our support team would be happy to help.
Additionally, we guarantee the accuracy of our calculations, and a member of our support team would be happy to explain the figures on your return. Please sign in to your account and click the "Support" link for assistance with your entires or clarification on calculations.
JR
J R.
Great service, screaming good deal
Was able to handle my tax situation for a bargain. I have mortgage interest, stock sales, dependents, w2 and 1099's. Was able to cruise things.
Response from FreeTaxUSAJul 30, 2026
Hi! Thanks for sharing about your experience. We try to provide an easy to use software at a low price for our valued customers!
DD
Daniel D.
Excellent customer support
The customer support was very fast and comprehensive in checking and resolving an unusual issue despite me not being a current paying customer. That earns a 5/5.
Response from FreeTaxUSAJun 16, 2026
Hey Daniel! We are always happy to provide support to those that have questions with our software-even if you haven't purchased anything in the current year. We appreciate your review and hope to be able to assist you in the future if needed!
TM
Terri M.
TERRIBLE
I attempted to use FreeTaxUSA, but my experience was disappointing. Despite the website promoting "free" filing, I found that you cannot proceed with certain features unless you upgrade. First, I was prompted to upgrade to Deluxe for $7.99. Later, I was offered Pro Support for $44.99, and state filing cost an additional $15.99 plus sales tax. Other add-ons included Audit Defense for $19.99, a printed copy for $8.96, and a bound copy for $17.96. By the end, the costs added up quickly, making the "free" claim feel misleading.
I also found the platform difficult to use for 1099 income. I spent several hours on the phone and in online chats with customer support trying to correctly enter my 1099 information. Unfortunately, no one was able to provide a solution that worked for my situation.
After investing approximately 4–6 hours trying to make the service work, I ultimately had to abandon it and visit H&R Block to complete my taxes. The time spent and lack of effective support made this a very frustrating experience.
Response from FreeTaxUSAJun 15, 2026
We try to be upfront about our prices by displaying them on our home page at www.FreeTaxUSA.com. The federal return is 100% free, regardless of what forms you need to file. We also have several products and services available that are completely optional in order to meet the various needs of our customers.
If you have any questions as you navigate through the software, there are several question mark buttons that you can click on to get more information. There's also a search tool on every page in the software if you're looking for something in particular. If you still have questions, a member of our support team would be happy to help.
The support provided is based on the information that has been entered in your account and the details that you provide during your communication with our customer support agents. Our software supports the ability to report 1099 forms, including 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC. There is no additional charge to report any 1099 form.
There is never any obligation to purchase any of the additional products and services that are available. While we charge a small fee to prepare a state return, there is no fee to e-file any return. You may always download or print your returns free of charge. If you purchased something by mistake or if it doesn’t meet your expectations, we’d be happy to review your account. Please sign in and click the “Support” link for assistance.
NC
Nicole C.
I had an extremely frustrating…
I had an extremely frustrating experience with both FreeTaxUSA and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (SBTPG). I chose to have my filing fees deducted from my refund, which meant SBTPG handled the payment processing portion of my tax return. What followed was MONTHS of confusion, lack of accountability, and virtually no meaningful customer support.
After my refund was supposedly issued, I never received the funds. SBTPG later claimed they mailed a cashier’s check that was returned as “undeliverable,” despite my address being correct on file. From there, the process became a nightmare. I spent countless hours contacting SBTPG, the IRS, and attempting to get clear answers, only to receive inconsistent information and generic scripted responses.
The biggest issue was the complete lack of transparency and urgency. There was no reliable tracking process, no proactive communication, and no clear path to resolve the missing funds. I was repeatedly told to wait, while being left without access to money that was rightfully mine. The situation created significant financial hardship for my household.
I would strongly caution anyone against using the “pay with refund” option through FreeTaxUSA/SBTPG. Saving a small filing fee is not worth the risk and stress if something goes wrong with your refund distribution.
Response from FreeTaxUSAMay 27, 2026
Hi Nicole,
After your returns are accepted, the processing and timing of your refund is in the hands of the IRS & your state's department of revenue.
Once your refund is released from the IRS and/or your state, it will be sent on to SBTPG to withdraw our fees and issue the refund. When you see that the IRS or state tax agency has released your refund(s), you may then check the status of your refund at this link:
https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/login
If the direct deposit is returned to SBTPG as undeliverable, the refund is often sent back to the IRS or state department or revenue.
Should you have any questions about your FreeTaxUSA account or if your refund has been sent back to the tax agency or not, we have support agents that would be happy to assist you. You can select the 'Support' option within your account to reach out.
KB
Kelson B.
Lowest Price I've Seen for Tax Filing Services
Most tax services are the same, this included. The only reason I highly recommend FreeTaxUSA over other services is because of the pricing. I paid a total of $16.99 to complete both my Federal and State returns. The Federal return is actually FREE but, the State return costs money. There are additional add-ons that cost money but, they aren't necessary for completion and compared to the prices of other tax services, this system is easy-to-use and doesn't feel invasive. I've used them for a couple years now and plan to continue using them so long as the price remains low.
Response from FreeTaxUSAApr 28, 2026
Hi Kelson, thank you so much for your review! We truly appreciate your feedback and your support. We’re grateful to have you as a customer and look forward to serving you for many years to come.
CS
c S.
Hidden charges
Hidden charges. They did not deposit my state return at all.says low cost but was 210.00
Will not use again
Response from FreeTaxUSAApr 24, 2026
We have several products and services available that are completely optional in order to meet the needs of our customers. There is never any obligation to purchase the additional products and services that are available.
If the refund amount received is different than what you expected, it's possible that the state made an adjustment. Generally, you will receive a letter of explanation from the state tax agency in the mail if they made an adjustment to your tax refund.
If you purchased something that doesn’t meet your expectations, we’d be happy to make it right. Please sign in to your account and click the “Support” link.
SG
Steven G.
Not free , garbage service
Not free , charge $15 for state fileing, and had to use a 3rd party site to pay with debit card that charged huge fees. Also had to change my email and the customer service uses AI chatbots that send you emials for of nonsense instructions that aren't helpful.
Response from FreeTaxUSAApr 22, 2026
We try to be upfront about our prices by displaying them on our home page at www.FreeTaxUSA.com. The federal return is 100% free, regardless of what forms you need to file. We do charge a small fee to prepare your state return, but there is no obligation to file it. We feel that our direct pricing, ease of use, and access to customer support make our product the best value in the industry.
Please keep in mind if you pay for any of our services using a credit card, no third party is involved and there are no additional fees. If you're having issues making payment, please contact our support team by signing in to your account and clicking the "Support" link. You'll reach a live support agent that will typically respond within a few hours to help troubleshoot payment issues in your account.
