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I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started

I used to use TurboTax Free Edition, constantly frustrated with all the dark patterns used to try to trick you into switching to non-free. Eventually I started making too much to use Free Edition, which is right around the time Credit Karma started offering free tax filing, but I hated CK's UI/UX. It made it easy to miss a deduction, and it did once. I used TT to basically "prepare" my taxes, but not actually file so I don't get charged, then prepared with CK and found a discrepancy. I was able to find and fix it and get my full refund. But then some years ago, someone recommended FreeTaxUSA, and it's great. UI/UX is fine, federal filing is free, and state filing is only $15. I've been using FreeTaxUSA for a few years now. 10/10 would recommend.

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y ago
> Credit Karma started offering free tax filing This seems much like an "illusion of choice" situation. Credit Karma and Turbo Tax are both owned by Intuit. (Not that you were fooled by the illusion, just that it stuck out to me.)
- nearting 3y ago
  Credit Karma spun their tax service off to Cash App. So Intuit doesn't own both.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- micromacrofoot 3y ago
  Credit Karma had to sell their tax filing offering to complete the sale, so Intuit doesn't own it: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN285275/ https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN285275/
sand500 3y ago
California let's you file state taxes for free through the state: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/index.asp https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/inde...
- LordDragonfang 3y ago
  Yeah, but for almost everyone on this forum who makes enough to even file taxes, the time that would be spent re-entering everything is probably more valuable than the $15 charge.
  - jjulius 3y ago
    >Yeah, but for almost everyone on this forum who makes enough to even file taxes... That number is $12,950, FWIW.
- lyrrad 3y ago
  There are some limitations so those with higher incomes or more complex tax situations are unable to use this option: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/calfile-qualifications.html https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/calf...

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y ago

> Credit Karma started offering free tax filing This seems much like an "illusion of choice" situation. Credit Karma and Turbo Tax are both owned by Intuit. (Not that you were fooled by the illusion, just that it stuck out to me.)

nearting 3y ago
Credit Karma spun their tax service off to Cash App. So Intuit doesn't own both.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
micromacrofoot 3y ago
Credit Karma had to sell their tax filing offering to complete the sale, so Intuit doesn't own it: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN285275/ https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN285275/

sand500 3y ago

California let's you file state taxes for free through the state: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/index.asp https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/inde...

LordDragonfang 3y ago
Yeah, but for almost everyone on this forum who makes enough to even file taxes, the time that would be spent re-entering everything is probably more valuable than the $15 charge.
- jjulius 3y ago
  >Yeah, but for almost everyone on this forum who makes enough to even file taxes... That number is $12,950, FWIW.
lyrrad 3y ago
There are some limitations so those with higher incomes or more complex tax situations are unable to use this option: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/calfile-qualifications.html https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/calf...