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popular Posted by BRPXR600R • Last Wednesday
popular Posted by BRPXR600R • Last Wednesday

File your taxes for free

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File your taxes for free. Direct File is now open. Taxpayers in 25 states can file their federal taxes directly with the IRS. Direct File is: Free, Accurate, Easy to use and Secure.

I was able to file my federal and Arizona state taxes for free online. I also thought it was easier to use than TurboTax. Received email confirmations the same day that my tax returns where accepted.

https://directfile.irs.gov/
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File your taxes for free. Direct File is now open. Taxpayers in 25 states can file their federal taxes directly with the IRS. Direct File is: Free, Accurate, Easy to use and Secure.

I was able to file my federal and Arizona state taxes for free online. I also thought it was easier to use than TurboTax. Received email confirmations the same day that my tax returns where accepted.

https://directfile.irs.gov/

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24 Comments

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Last Wednesday
337 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
Last Wednesday
LiquidIQ
Last Wednesday
337 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank LiquidIQ

Not in Colorado yet. I used TurboTax again this year and they accepted my federal and state returns within hours. Refund was in my account from both within a week. I think it took longer last year.
1
Last Thursday
22 Posts
Joined Nov 2021
Last Thursday
PurplePolice460
Last Thursday
22 Posts
Yeah, TurboTax has all of my previous info, so it fills in a bunch of the info automatically. I also got my return accepted in hours. If switched to direct file, it might take longer to file and make me more nervous to file. TurboTax went up like $50 this year, so I might be looking for better options next year though.
1
2
Last Thursday
1,139 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
Last Thursday
lifewillbeok
Last Thursday
1,139 Posts
I tried out freetaxusa this year and was impressed.
Original Poster
Pro
Last Thursday
208 Posts
Joined Aug 2006
Last Thursday
BRPXR600R
Last Thursday
Original Poster
Pro
208 Posts
Quote from PurplePolice460 :
Yeah, TurboTax has all of my previous info, so it fills in a bunch of the info automatically. I also got my return accepted in hours. If switched to direct file, it might take longer to file and make me more nervous to file. TurboTax went up like $50 this year, so I might be looking for better options next year though.
The IRS has all your previous info from last year's tax return. Direct File automatically filled in all the information too. Filing took less time because you are not using TurboTax as a middleman.
Last Thursday
1,001 Posts
Joined Feb 2023
Last Thursday
LivelySink338
Last Thursday
1,001 Posts

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You guys are doing it wrong, there's no one working at IRS, filing taxes are optional now
1
4
3
Last Thursday
39 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
Last Thursday
sj0077
Last Thursday
39 Posts
Quote from BRPXR600R :
The IRS has all your previous info from last year's tax return. Direct File automatically filled in all the information too. Filing took less time because you are not using TurboTax as a middleman.

Does it let you import your 1099s for interest, dividends etc directly from the banks/broker sites? Or you have to enter them manually?
Last Thursday
511 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
Last Thursday
jroth3
Last Thursday
511 Posts

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Quote from PurplePolice460 :
Yeah, TurboTax has all of my previous info, so it fills in a bunch of the info automatically. I also got my return accepted in hours. If switched to direct file, it might take longer to file and make me more nervous to file. TurboTax went up like $50 this year, so I might be looking for better options next year though.
TurboTax is a rip off even if it's more convenient to pull your info from previous years. I opted this year for freetaxusa, once you input your info it's saved for the following years, worth the savings to spend a little extra time filling in your info again. Next year should be quicker.
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Last Thursday
41 Posts
Joined Dec 2012
Last Thursday
wylee79
Last Thursday
41 Posts

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Another free option I have used for the last 3+ years that will sound crazy...

Cashapp taxes

Yes they are legit, totally free, includes audit protection.
2
Original Poster
Pro
Last Thursday
208 Posts
Joined Aug 2006
Last Thursday
BRPXR600R
Last Thursday
Original Poster
Pro
208 Posts
Quote from sj0077 :
Does it let you import your 1099s for interest, dividends etc directly from the banks/broker sites? Or you have to enter them manually?
I had to enter them manually, but it was easy. Direct File asks you to fill in what's in each box.
Last Thursday
110 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Last Thursday
ancho26
Last Thursday
110 Posts
Quote from PurplePolice460 :
Yeah, TurboTax has all of my previous info, so it fills in a bunch of the info automatically. I also got my return accepted in hours. If switched to direct file, it might take longer to file and make me more nervous to file. TurboTax went up like $50 this year, so I might be looking for better options next year though.
The part where TurboTax makes you watch it delete all your info when you choose the free version was enough to make me look elsewhere.
I used Direct File this year and flipped through my old data in HR Block to help fill in. Pretty simple return and no state tax but I was impressed with the experience! Recommended.
1
Pro
Last Thursday
6,560 Posts
Joined May 2006
Last Thursday
diveborg
Pro
Last Thursday
6,560 Posts
Quote from sj0077 :
Does it let you import your 1099s for interest, dividends etc directly from the banks/broker sites? Or you have to enter them manually?
Can't use if you have 1099-DIV income. That isn't on the list of allowed income sources. At least that's what it says for Oregon filers.

Quote :
Direct File only works if you have certain types of income.

You can use Direct File if you have one or more of these types of income in 2024:

Income from an employer
(Form W-2)

Unemployment compensation
(Form 1099-G)

Social Security benefits
(Form SSA-1099)

Income from employer-sponsored pension and retirement account distributions
(Form 1099-R)

Distributions for qualified medical expenses from Health Savings Accounts
(Form 1099-SA)

Interest income
(Form 1099-INT)

Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
1
Last Friday
146 Posts
Joined Feb 2011
Last Friday
OmnificOne
Last Friday
146 Posts
Good option for anyone who can use it. I'd recommend FreeTaxUSA if you can't. After using TurboTax for a decade, it was nice to not shell out for something that should be free. The big advantage as an ex-TurboTax user is you can import data from your TurboTax return. So you can avoid that insulting animation in TurboTax where the data from your previous returns is deleted if you don't use the paid version.
Last Friday
5,185 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Last Friday
Abused.Return.Policy
Last Friday
5,185 Posts
Quote from wylee79 :
Another free option I have used for the last 3+ years that will sound crazy...Cashapp taxesYes they are legit, totally free, includes audit protection.
Used Cash App Taxes for a few years no problem. But don't trust the audit protection. They reported the wrong income amount for my state taxes for 2022, (the fed part was correct, but reported $30k less income to the state) but because the audit happened in 2024 and it was more than 1 year after filing, they wouldn't help me. I had to pay $300+ in interest on top of the $900 in tax I owed.
6d ago
25 Posts
Joined Oct 2023
6d ago
WeeeHeeATeePee
6d ago
25 Posts
This is nuts, you can't use this in my state if your wages are above $200k!?
I can't use Cashapp because I'm filing a natural disaster deduction.
I'm cornered into using TurboTax for the first time or filing manually it seems..
1

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5d ago
1,513 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
5d ago
drawz
5d ago
1,513 Posts
Quote from WeeeHeeATeePee :
This is nuts, you can't use this in my state if your wages are above $200k!?
I can't use Cashapp because I'm filing a natural disaster deduction.
I'm cornered into using TurboTax for the first time or filing manually it seems..
FreeTaxUSA or OLT will work for you.
DirectFile is still in it's infancy, adding more features each year. Unfortunately, it may be killed by the current administration, before it has a chance to be really good.

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