Who wants to pay for something that you can get for free? I sure don’t. I’ve paid to have my taxes done in the past, but this year I was determined to find a completely free way to file my taxes – that didn’t involve a degree in tax accounting.
Years ago, it was simple enough to fill out the 1040EZ on my own and call it a day. The year I got married and bought a house, I turned to H&R Block. My tax knowledge is limited, and I knew I needed help with the additional forms. I loved H&R Block, but it didn’t end up being free like I thought it would be.
This year, I was on the hunt for a completely free online tax-preparation program – not free to file a federal return and then pay to file state, or free only until your situation got too complex.
Voila! Credit Karma Tax is totally free – start to finish – no matter your situation. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop as I went through the process. Was I going to have to pay because we had a baby? No. A house? Nope. Filing jointly? Free too.
If you’re like me, you were sold when you heard free and easy. If I haven’t won you over yet, continue reading for 5 more reasons I love using Credit Karma Tax.
This is not a sponsored post. I just want you to save your money!
1. The program is very intuitive.
You don’t have to have extensive tax or technical knowledge to be able to successfully and easily navigate this program. When you log in, Credit Karma Tax asks a series of simple questions so it can help you add your information. Easy questions like, “Do you own a house? Are you filing separately or jointly? Do you have any children? etc.”
If you are having trouble figuring out how to enter any information, you can simply type the title of your form into the search bar. The program then helps you navigate the rest.
2. Credit Karma Tax helps you get the best deduction.
Standard deduction? Itemized deduction? I had no clue! But Credit Karma Tax did.
It walks you through both options to show you which route offers you the better deduction for your personal situation. I understood so much more about my deductions after seeing them broken down and laid out clearly.
If you decide to use a filing service that charges you a fee, make sure you account for it in your budget using our Family Finances: Free, Editable Budgeting Spreadsheet.
3. The process is totally and completely free.
I was so frustrated the first time I used H&R Block. I went into the process assuming it was free (based on their advertisements) but was very disappointed when I ended up spending $100 to file my tax returns.
Many online tax-preparation services advertise themselves as free, but what they really mean is free until your situation becomes more complicated. Or it’s free to file your federal return, but then you have to pay if you want to file your state return too.
I can’t say this enough – Credit Karma Tax is FREE. It’s free to file both federal and state returns. Free no matter how complicated your situation and no matter how many forms you have to input. Keep your credit card in your wallet, folks!
4. Your information can be input automatically.
This is a time-saving feature! If you used Credit Karma Tax, TurboTax, TaxAct, or H&R Block last year, Credit Karma Tax can input certain pieces of information from your returns last year.
Think ahead – if you use it this year, you will save yourself time next year!
5. There is a mobile app!
Personally, I completed my taxes on my laptop [from the comfort of my couch]. But, if you’re on-the-go or do not have a computer, Credit Karma Tax has a mobile app that has all the same features as its website.
There is no excuse for not filing your taxes completely free this year!
Go get started!
You’re all set to start filing your taxes! Read this Credit Karma Tax FAQ to make sure you’re ready to get started, and then start filing for free!
Really – I receive nothing for providing you this information – other than the satisfaction of knowing I am saving you money like I saved my family!
>> Now that you just saved yourself a lot of $$$, you’re on the right track to download the Family Finances: Free, Editable Budgeting Spreadsheet and take control of your finances!
How do you file your taxes? Do you know of any other tax-preparation services that are completely free? We gotta know!
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