Did you know that if yous make less than $66,000 a year, you lot can fix and file your taxes for free?

No? That's no accident. Companies that make tax preparation software, like Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, would rather y'all didn't know.

Intuit and other taxation software companies have spent millions lobbying to make sure that the IRS doesn't offer its own revenue enhancement preparation and filing service. In commutation, the companies have entered into an agreement with the IRS to offering a "Free File" product to most Americans — but good luck finding it.

Here's what happened when nosotros went looking.

Our first stop was Google. Nosotros searched for "irs free file taxes."

And we idea nosotros institute what we were looking for: Ads from TurboTax and others directing us to gratuitous products.

The showtime link looked promising. Information technology contained the give-and-take "free" v times! Nosotros clicked and were relieved to see that filing for free was guaranteed.

We started the process by creating the profile of a TaskRabbit house cleaner who took in $29,000. Nosotros entered all-encompassing personal information. TurboTax asked the states to click through more than a dozen questions and prompts about our finances.

Afterwards all of that, only then did we get the bad news: TurboTax revealed this wasn't going to be free at all. Turns out the house cleaner didn't authorize because he is a independent contractor. The charge? $119.99.

Then we tried with a 2d scenario. Nosotros went back to TurboTax.com and clicked on "FREE Guaranteed." This time, we went through the process every bit a Walgreens cashier without health insurance, entering personal information and giving the visitor lots of sensitive data.

Again, TurboTax told usa nosotros had to pay — this fourth dimension because there'south an extra form if you don't have insurance. The charge? $59.99.

Only await. Are the business firm cleaner and the cashier not allowed to set and file their taxes for free because of their particular tax situations? No! According to the agreement between the IRS and the companies, anyone who makes less than $66,000 can prepare and file their taxes for free.

Then how did nosotros end up with a product that would brand united states pay?

Nosotros took a shut look at the source code of the TurboTax website and noticed something strange. Even though we clicked on the "FREE Guaranteed" choice and met all the requirements to file for free, the visitor had tagged the states equally a potential paying customer.

In the source lawmaking, TurboTax had branded us as "NONFFA." That stands for "Non Free File Alliance." In other words, we were not on track to file for free after all.

Hither'south what information technology looks like backside the curtain:

          ch: /personal—taxes/online/   cc: USD   c2: 2019-04-12T17:44:20.316Z            c5: NONFFA            c6: TT.com   c7: TTCamp   c9: 582c1659—f678-4316—a059-29ee9324cf4c   c14: functioning|domComplete

Even though TurboTax could tell we were eligible to file for free, the company never told us well-nigh the truly gratis version.

Information technology turns out that if you start the process from TurboTax.com, it's impossible to find the truly free version. The company itself admits this.

This is a good time to remind you: Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, is one of the companies that has promised the IRS to offer gratuitous tax filing to lower-income Americans.

Is it called the Complimentary Edition? No, that's reserved for the widely advertised commercial products that are only free for people with the simplest taxes. The visitor calls the truly gratuitous version the Liberty Edition.

One time nosotros realized that what we really wanted was TurboTax Freedom, we merely entered that into Google:

The kickoff link was from TurboTax and said "Free File Program" right in the text. We clicked, and information technology brought u.s. to this new page.

While the orange "See If You Qualify" link did take usa to the real Free File program, the blue "Start for Costless" link brought the states back to the version of TurboTax where we concluded up having to pay.

There's a proper noun for cyberspace design tactics that become users to pay for products they don't necessarily want: dark patterns.

Now, let'due south go dorsum to our original Google search.

The fifth link, a government site, looked like it would take united states to the actual Gratis File program.

Just not and so fast! When we clicked, and and so clicked through to a 2d page, nosotros found a whole new set of choices and restrictions. Each of the 12 companies that have signed on to the deal with the IRS offer their own Free File product. But they all have different requirements based on historic period, income and location.

Finally! We clicked the "TurboTax Free File Program" link and constitute the actual homepage for TurboTax Freedom.

It'south not exactly a surreptitious that this Gratuitous File program isn't working well. The national taxpayer advocate recently said it "is failing to achieve its objectives and should be essentially improved or eliminated." The IRS has been criticized for failing to oversee the plan and the number of people using Free File has dropped past millions since it peaked in 2005.

Consumer groups have long argued that the IRS should offer its own free, online tax grooming and filing, every bit many other countries do.

But Congress is now moving to put the Free File program into law, including its restriction on the IRS creating its own costless service. We wrote about that before this month and the opposition to this provision by freshman Democratic Reps. Katie Hill, Katie Porter, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others. The House ultimately passed the bipartisan Taxpayer First Act, which besides contains some provisions that consumer advocates support, such as restrictions on private debt collection of unpaid taxes.

Now the Senate is considering the bill. Its sponsors take argued that information technology doesn't tie the IRS' hands, only outside legal experts we've spoken to disagree. The text in the bill codifying the Costless File programme has long been sought by lobbyists for Intuit.

Nosotros asked TurboTax spokesman Rick Heineman why the company doesn't automatically directly eligible taxpayers to the Free File production. He didn't respond, but said in a argument that "TurboTax Free Edition is a free commercial tax training product that costs $0 for fed, $0 for state, $0 to file so 50 one thousand thousand users with 'simple' filings can file for admittedly no cost. Details for eligibility for this and other TurboTax products are stated on the Products & Pricing page."

Heineman also directed us to Intuit'due south annual corporate social responsibleness report, which said that last year it "donated 2.three meg federal and land returns ($27 million in value) to lower-income taxpayers through the IRS and state Free File programs."

Last twelvemonth, Intuit's consumer partitioning, which includes TurboTax, reported $ane.vi billion in operating income.

How to Ask for a Refund

If you made less than $34,000 concluding yr and paid to file your taxes on TurboTax, you may be able to become a refund.

A reader who reported that TurboTax agreed to refund his money said he chosen the TurboTax customer service line at 888-777-3066.

Spokespeople for Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on its refund policy.

If you made less than $66,000 last year, you lot should have been able to prepare and file your taxes for gratis with one of the companies participating in the IRS' Gratis File program. But each company has its own distinct eligibility requirements. It's not clear if the other companies would offering refunds.

Frequently Asked Questions Most Complimentary Tax Filing From TurboTax:

Recently, we reported that TurboTax and H&R Block were deliberately hiding their Free File program from Google and other search engines. In an effort to make sure accurate information is bachelor to those who are searching for it, we have compiled and answered some often asked questions.

What Is the TurboTax Gratuitous File Program?

The TurboTax Free File program is required as part of the IRS Complimentary File program.

To qualify for the TurboTax Free File, you must make under $34,000 per year.

You are eligible if you make less than $34,000 and:

  • Work full time
  • Work role time
  • Are an independent contractor
  • Are retired or
  • Paid student loans

Click here to access the TurboTax Complimentary File plan.

Important: If you make nether $66,000 per year, yous are eligible to file your taxes for free nether the IRS Complimentary File programme.

If you brand under $66,000 per yr, click this link to see other options from the IRS Free File program.

What Is the TurboTax Complimentary Edition?

TurboTax Gratuitous Edition is the name for a free version of TurboTax. It is not the same equally the TurboTax Free File edition, which is part of the IRS program.

TurboTax Costless Edition is free for people who are filing very unproblematic returns only.

Alarm: TurboTax Costless Edition is not always free. It puts many people on track to pay.

Read about how TurboTax tries to hibernate its Costless File edition.

What Is the TurboTax Freedom Edition?

The TurboTax Liberty Edition is another name TurboTax uses for its Complimentary File edition. This edition is required as function of the industry's deal with the IRS.

If yous make less than $34,000 per year, you are eligible to utilise this program. You lot can access the TurboTax Freedom Edition by clicking here.

Wait, Is TurboTax Really Gratuitous?

TurboTax Free File, also called TurboTax Liberty Edition, is costless for those making under $34,000 per yr. Click here to admission the TurboTax Free File edition.

TurboTax also offers a Free Edition for anyone who is filing a elementary return but.

Warning: Despite its confusing name, the TurboTax Gratis Edition is not always free. Information technology puts many people on track to pay.

Does TurboTax Offer Free State Filing?

Yes. If you make nether $34,000 and qualify for TurboTax Costless File, you tin likewise prepare and file your land render for gratuitous.

Who Qualifies for TurboTax Free Edition?

If you brand less than $34,000 per yr, you tin can file your taxes for gratis with TurboTax Free File. This edition is required as part of the industry's deal with the IRS. You tin can admission the TurboTax Gratis File programme here.

TurboTax besides offers a Free Edition for people who are filing very unproblematic returns. Alarm: The Free Edition puts many people on rails to pay is not part of the IRS Costless File program.

Call up: If you make nether $66,000 per year, you are still eligible to set and file your taxes for costless nether the IRS Free File program.

If you brand under $66,000 per year, click this link to find another free tax preparation offer from IRS Free File.

How Do I Reach TurboTax Support?

You can call TurboTax at 888-777-3066 or reach them on Twitter @TeamTurboTax

How Do I Get a Refund From TurboTax?

Some readers take told us that they have been able to ask for refunds by calling 888-777-3066.

If you made less than $34,000, you were eligible to file for free with TurboTax. If you were charged a fee, y'all can phone call TurboTax to ask for a refund.

Update, April 22, 2019: After we published this story, a reader reached out to say that TurboTax charged him $120 to file his mother-in-law'south taxes fifty-fifty though she made around $18,000. One time he read our story, he said he called TurboTax and complained considering his mother-in-police was eligible to file for free. The company agreed to refund the coin.