TurboTax vs Cash App Taxes: Paid Polish vs 100% Free
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Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, is genuinely free: no charge for your federal or state returns, even for many complex situations like self-employment and investments. There are no upsells to a paid tier, because there is no paid tier. For the right filer, it's one of the best deals in all of tax software.
The catch is that free comes with limits. Support is minimal compared with TurboTax, and Cash App Taxes can't handle every scenario, most notably multi-state returns and some less common forms. It also requires the Cash App. TurboTax costs money but gives you far more polish, imports, guidance, and live help. Here's how to decide what's right for you.
TurboTax vs Cash App Taxes: at a glance
| Feature | TurboTax | Cash App Taxes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal filing cost | Free (simple) to ~$129+ | Free (all supported situations) |
| State filing cost | Extra fee (~$59+) | Free |
| Multi-state returns | Yes | No |
| Ease of use / guidance | Very polished | Decent but basic |
| Data import (W-2/1099) | Broad partner network | Limited |
| Expert / live help | Yes (Live, extra cost) | Very limited |
| Requires a separate app/account | No (web or app) | Yes (Cash App) |
| Best for | Convenience and support | Free filing, simpler returns |
Pricing notes
Cash App Taxes is free for both federal and state, with no tier to upgrade to, which is rare and genuinely valuable. TurboTax charges for anything beyond a simple return plus a separate state fee, and what you're paying for is convenience and support rather than capability Cash App Taxes lacks, with the important exception of unsupported scenarios like multi-state filings. Confirm the current details on each official site, since the supported forms and pricing can change.
TurboTax
- ✓A polished, guided interview that explains things as you go
- ✓Broad imports for your W-2s, 1099s, and brokerage data
- ✓Handles multi-state and uncommon situations that Cash App Taxes can't
- ✓Robust live expert help options for extra peace of mind
- ✕It costs money where Cash App Taxes is entirely free
- ✕There's a separate state fee on top of the federal price
- ✕Upgrade prompts can push you toward a higher edition
Cash App Taxes
- ✓100% free for federal and state, with no paid tier at all
- ✓Supports many complex situations at no cost, including self-employment
- ✓Straightforward enough if you're a confident filer
- ✓No surprise upsells along the way
- ✕Can't file multi-state returns and lacks support for some forms
- ✕Support is minimal if you get stuck
- ✕Requires the Cash App, and imports are limited
Bottom line
If your return is supported and you're comfortable filing with limited support, Cash App Taxes is tough to beat: free federal and state with no upsells. It's ideal if you're a single-state filer with a straightforward-to-moderate situation. Choose TurboTax if you need a multi-state return, want extensive imports and guidance, or value the option of live expert help. The decision often comes down to whether your situation fits inside Cash App Taxes' supported scenarios, and if it does, the savings are substantial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cash App Taxes really completely free?＋
Yes, it is. Cash App Taxes charges nothing for federal or state returns and has no paid upgrade tier. It does require a Cash App account, and a few situations aren't supported.
What can't Cash App Taxes handle that TurboTax can?＋
Cash App Taxes can't file multi-state returns and doesn't support certain less common forms and situations. TurboTax covers these, which is a key reason some filers happily pay for it.
Is Cash App Taxes the same as Credit Karma Tax?＋
It's the successor. Cash App acquired the former Credit Karma Tax product and rebranded it as Cash App Taxes, keeping the free federal and state filing model intact.
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