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I've been using https://TaxFreeUSA.com https://TaxFreeUSA.com for the past 5 years, and it's great. Just as intuitive as TurboTax, but totally free for federal

I've been using https://TaxFreeUSA.com https://TaxFreeUSA.com for the past 5 years, and it's great. Just as intuitive as TurboTax, but totally free for federal (you pay for state, but I lived in WA until this year so it was totally free). Also, I sleep better at night knowing I'm not giving money to Intuit who is the largest lobbyist that keeps tax codes complex.

nostromo 4y ago
Intuit does not "keep tax codes complex" -- your legislators do that all on their own. Intuit does try to prevent the IRS from making it easier to file electronically for free -- that much is true.
- simonebrunozzi 4y ago
  > Intuit does not "keep tax codes complex" -- your legislators do that all on their own. Lobbying, my friend. Intuit spends money to actively lobby to keep the tax code complex. Don't trust my word? Google it, or start with this [0]. [0]: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/turbotax-h-r-block-spend-millions-lobbying-us-keep-doing-n736386 https://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/turbotax-h-r-block-sp...
  - jt2190 4y ago
    What did your Senator say when you wrote them a letter to complain?
    - xeromal 4y ago
      Thanks for you concern.
    - simonebrunozzi 4y ago
      I don't have any Senator, I don't live in the US.
  - nostromo 4y ago
    That’s not the same. A complicated tax code is different than a complicated filing process. We can all hate Intuit for one but not the other.
  - musictubes 4y ago
    The tax code is kept complicated in order to make carve outs for special interest groups. Intuit has no way of influencing real estate, trust, investment, alimony, disability, etc. tax regulations. Intuit profits from a complicated tax code but it’s not like their lobbying is what makes the estate and inheritance tax code complicated. They surely want to make filing as complicated as possible so they can streamline it for you. Intuit surely lobbies to prevent the IRS from advertising free tax filing options. I’m sure they would like the forms to be as arcane as possible but I don’t think that congress has anything to do with the layout of the forms and worksheets.
- sockaddr 4y ago
  How is “keep tax codes complex” not equivalent to “prevent the IRS from making it simpler”? Besides that, you’re definitely wrong. They do lobby to keep it complicated and actively try to confuse customers into thinking they need to pay more for no legitimate reason at all. Intuit causes great harm and so does anyone that works for them.
  - 8note 4y ago
    The tax code is the underlying ruleset. The UX can be easy or hard, to input data that meets said ruleset. Even with a complex tax code, you could still fill in three values and get your correct result
  - quietbritishjim 4y ago
    If keeping tax codes complex was the same concept as keeping the process of electronic filing complex, what would be the point anyone buying Intuit software to do it? By your logic, it would still be just as complex anyway.
    - rolenthedeep 4y ago
      Intuit provides a layer on top of the e-file process. Their software does the complex actions and presents you with a relatively simple interface. This is generally how a lot of software works: a simple interface in front of a complex process
      - quietbritishjim 4y ago
        Right, it's possible for the tax code to be complex but still present a simple user interface. That means that it would, hypothetically, be possible for the e-file process to include a simple user interface (using, as you say... software). If you chase up the comment chain you replied to, you're really agreeing with me using a tone of disagreement. sockaddr says that filing has to be complex because tax codes are complex. We both disagree with that.
ElijahLynn 4y ago
taxfreeusa.com redirects to www.freetaxusa.com, fwiw.
UncleOxidant 4y ago
Any idea how well it might or might not work for more complex situations like rental depreciation? I'd like to stop giving my money to TurboTax/Intuit.
- gavinhoward 4y ago
  Relative of an employee here. They have a question search [1]. When I searched for "rental depreciation," it showed [2]. The first result dropdown had this: > Rental Depreciation: > Menu Path: Income > Business Income > Rental Income (Schedule E) > Enter on the Depreciable Assets screen. If you are filing a Schedule C, then that screen will be within the Business Income (Schedule C) screens. If you are filing a Schedule F, it will be within the Farm Income (Schedule F) screens. If you are filing a Schedule E, it will be within the Rental Income (Schedule E) screens. [1]: https://www.freetaxusa.com/help_tax_tips.jsp https://www.freetaxusa.com/help_tax_tips.jsp [2]: https://www.freetaxusa.com/search_faq.jsp?apptype=freetaxusa&OPERATION=&search_keyword=rental+depreciation https://www.freetaxusa.com/search_faq.jsp?apptype=freetaxusa...
gavinhoward 4y ago
Relative of a happy employee (of freetaxusa.com, but same company). I'll pass along your message!

nostromo 4y ago

Intuit does not "keep tax codes complex" -- your legislators do that all on their own. Intuit does try to prevent the IRS from making it easier to file electronically for free -- that much is true.

simonebrunozzi 4y ago
> Intuit does not "keep tax codes complex" -- your legislators do that all on their own. Lobbying, my friend. Intuit spends money to actively lobby to keep the tax code complex. Don't trust my word? Google it, or start with this [0]. [0]: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/turbotax-h-r-block-spend-millions-lobbying-us-keep-doing-n736386 https://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/turbotax-h-r-block-sp...
- jt2190 4y ago
  What did your Senator say when you wrote them a letter to complain?
  - xeromal 4y ago
    Thanks for you concern.
  - simonebrunozzi 4y ago
    I don't have any Senator, I don't live in the US.
- nostromo 4y ago
  That’s not the same. A complicated tax code is different than a complicated filing process. We can all hate Intuit for one but not the other.
- musictubes 4y ago
  The tax code is kept complicated in order to make carve outs for special interest groups. Intuit has no way of influencing real estate, trust, investment, alimony, disability, etc. tax regulations. Intuit profits from a complicated tax code but it’s not like their lobbying is what makes the estate and inheritance tax code complicated. They surely want to make filing as complicated as possible so they can streamline it for you. Intuit surely lobbies to prevent the IRS from advertising free tax filing options. I’m sure they would like the forms to be as arcane as possible but I don’t think that congress has anything to do with the layout of the forms and worksheets.
sockaddr 4y ago
How is “keep tax codes complex” not equivalent to “prevent the IRS from making it simpler”? Besides that, you’re definitely wrong. They do lobby to keep it complicated and actively try to confuse customers into thinking they need to pay more for no legitimate reason at all. Intuit causes great harm and so does anyone that works for them.
- 8note 4y ago
  The tax code is the underlying ruleset. The UX can be easy or hard, to input data that meets said ruleset. Even with a complex tax code, you could still fill in three values and get your correct result
- quietbritishjim 4y ago
  If keeping tax codes complex was the same concept as keeping the process of electronic filing complex, what would be the point anyone buying Intuit software to do it? By your logic, it would still be just as complex anyway.
  - rolenthedeep 4y ago
    Intuit provides a layer on top of the e-file process. Their software does the complex actions and presents you with a relatively simple interface. This is generally how a lot of software works: a simple interface in front of a complex process
    - quietbritishjim 4y ago
      Right, it's possible for the tax code to be complex but still present a simple user interface. That means that it would, hypothetically, be possible for the e-file process to include a simple user interface (using, as you say... software). If you chase up the comment chain you replied to, you're really agreeing with me using a tone of disagreement. sockaddr says that filing has to be complex because tax codes are complex. We both disagree with that.

ElijahLynn 4y ago

taxfreeusa.com redirects to www.freetaxusa.com, fwiw.

UncleOxidant 4y ago

Any idea how well it might or might not work for more complex situations like rental depreciation? I'd like to stop giving my money to TurboTax/Intuit.

gavinhoward 4y ago
Relative of an employee here. They have a question search [1]. When I searched for "rental depreciation," it showed [2]. The first result dropdown had this: > Rental Depreciation: > Menu Path: Income > Business Income > Rental Income (Schedule E) > Enter on the Depreciable Assets screen. If you are filing a Schedule C, then that screen will be within the Business Income (Schedule C) screens. If you are filing a Schedule F, it will be within the Farm Income (Schedule F) screens. If you are filing a Schedule E, it will be within the Rental Income (Schedule E) screens. [1]: https://www.freetaxusa.com/help_tax_tips.jsp https://www.freetaxusa.com/help_tax_tips.jsp [2]: https://www.freetaxusa.com/search_faq.jsp?apptype=freetaxusa&OPERATION=&search_keyword=rental+depreciation https://www.freetaxusa.com/search_faq.jsp?apptype=freetaxusa...

gavinhoward 4y ago

Relative of a happy employee (of freetaxusa.com, but same company). I'll pass along your message!