TurboTax is offering free federal and state tax filing through its mobile app for first-time users until February 28, a move that underscores the ongoing competition in the do-it-yourself tax preparation market.
The offer, available to those who have not previously used TurboTax, applies to simple tax returns – Form 1040 – and includes eligibility for certain schedules, such as those for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A forms. The promotion requires users to both start and complete their filing within the TurboTax mobile application.
For many, the appeal of TurboTax lies in its user-friendly interface and features designed to simplify the tax filing process. Returning users benefit from the platform’s ability to store prior-year information, auto-upload documents, and recall previously used forms, significantly reducing filing time. The service also provides a questionnaire to determine which sections of the tax code are relevant to each filer, streamlining the process by avoiding unnecessary steps.
Even as TurboTax is a popular choice, it isn’t always the cheapest. Competitors like FreeTaxUSA offer similar services, but charge $16 for state filing, and some users have reported higher tax liabilities when using alternative platforms. According to data from Tax Year 2024, TurboTax filed more than twice the number of free returns compared to FreeTaxUSA.
Beyond the free DIY option, TurboTax offers tiered support levels. “Expert Assist” provides access to tax professionals for guidance and review, while “Expert Full Service” allows users to completely delegate their tax preparation to a local expert. Pricing for these services varies depending on the complexity of the return and the time of filing, with earlier filing generally resulting in lower costs.
More than 100 million Americans are eligible for free filing with TurboTax this tax season, according to the company. The availability of these options comes as millions of taxpayers navigate the annual filing process, seeking both accuracy and affordability.
