Quick Summary
Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax) is the only tax software that offers both federal AND state filing for free, with no paid upgrades, no upsells, and no catches. The service handles most common tax situations including self-employment and investments. While it can't handle every complex scenario (like multi-state or amended returns), for the majority of filers, Cash App Taxes provides a completely free, ad-free tax filing experience.
Score Breakdown
What We Like
- ✓ 100% free federal AND state filing
- ✓ No upsells or paid tiers
- ✓ Covers self-employment and investments
- ✓ Clean, simple interface
- ✓ Part of the Cash App ecosystem
What Could Improve
- ✗ Can't handle multi-state returns
- ✗ No amended return support
- ✗ Limited support options
- ✗ Doesn't cover all tax situations
Features
Cash App Taxes handles W-2 income, 1099 income, investments, rental income, self-employment (Schedule C), HSA, student loan interest, and most standard deductions and credits. Direct deposit of refund to Cash App for faster access. Maximum refund guarantee. Year-over-year comparison. Simple import from prior year returns.
Pricing
Completely free — federal and state filing at no cost. No premium tiers, no add-ons, no upsells. Cash App Taxes generates no direct revenue from the tax product; it drives users to the broader Cash App platform. This is the only truly free tax filing solution that includes state returns.
Usability
Cash App Taxes features a clean, mobile-friendly interface that guides you through filing step by step. The process is streamlined and straightforward, though less comprehensive in its guidance than TurboTax. Available through the Cash App mobile app and web. The filing process is surprisingly quick for simple returns. Error checking catches common mistakes before filing.
Key Specifications
| Starting Price | Free |
| Free Filing | Federal + state |
| State Filing | Free |
| Expert Help | No |
| Accuracy Guarantee | Yes |
| Audit Support | No |
| Import | Prior year import |
Final Verdict
Cash App Taxes is the ultimate free option — the only service that files both federal and state returns at zero cost. For straightforward tax situations, it's hard to argue against free. The limitations on complex scenarios and support mean it's not for everyone, but for the vast majority of W-2 employees and straightforward filers, Cash App Taxes is the rational choice.