mike s.

Over the years, I have used TaxAct until last year, 2015 filing, TaxAct charged me for filing federal tax return using its s/w. I don't mind paying but TaxAct did not forthright telling users that they have to pay until the end when they are ready to file, then they got hooked. This year TaxAct said upfront in fine print that only 1040EZ and 1040A are free.

I just finished filing my 2015 Fed. Tax Return with FreeTaxUSA and I noticed that the time for me to get it done about less than half of using TaxAct. At the end, when I am ready to file and to my surprise it's actually free not trying to hook me at the end. I file the 1040 with itemized deductions, Schedule D (capitial gains/losses), charities, Student Credit (8863).

It does require a little bit of tax knowledge to know what is the correct form to edit. But overall, it's very easy and a great tax s/w. I am the first time user and will use the FreeTaxUSA s/w again for my next year tax return. Highly recommended!

Update - 02/19/2016, I received my Fed's refund back, e-filed on the 02/10/2016... without any hiccups.