Cash App Taxes Review 2023: Best Free Online Tax Software

© Courtesy of CNET Cash App Taxes offers free tax preparation. Brandon Douglas/CNET; Cash tax

This year we're voting for the best free tax software, Cash App Taxes. Unlike other "free" business tax software, Cash App Taxes doesn't hide its free version behind tons of marketing, limit people based on their tax status, or ask you for a state tax return. Even if you have independent income , cryptocurrency exchange , retirement, rental income, or savings accounts, Cash App Taxes can file your tax returns electronically and completely free.

Cash App Taxes requires Cash App mobile software to be installed on your phone or tablet and does not include advanced help and support from industry leaders in tax software such as TurboTax and H&R Block . This includes reliable context-sensitive help and technical support from real people via chat, but no professional phone support or tax support.

Although it is free to use, the interface and functionality of Cash App Taxes is very professional. If you're looking for a way to file your 2022 tax return for free, check out Cash App Taxes.

Who is using Cash App Taxes best for?

If you have experience with Cash Apps, you should seriously consider Cash App Taxes Free Software. The tax interface is well integrated with the mobile application and taxpayers can complete the process in minutes with simple filings.

Money filing fees are best for home caregivers who don't need help with the filing process, as some of the more complex forms lack professional help or expertise.

Former Credit Karma Tax users should also try Cash App Taxes. Tax returns from previous years are easily accessible, and the software is nearly identical to Credit Karma Tax.

Who should look elsewhere?

Those wanting financial backing should look elsewhere. Cash App Taxes has a dedicated help section and chat for simple tax and technical questions, but is not backed by tax experts.

Self-employed or small scale scammers with multiple 1099s should also contact another IRS. Unlike its competitors, Cash App Taxes doesn't support uploading forms other than previous year's tax returns, so you'll have to enter each form manually.

Here are some other tax situations that are not supported by Cash App Taxes:

• Returns with multiple operators
• Return from non-resident countries
• Increased standard deduction
• Income received abroad
• Married persons file separate registrations in the states that make up the community

The Cash App Tax Support Portal has separate pages for a complete list of federal forms and situations that it supports, as well as forms and situations that are not supported by Cash App Tax. Be sure to review the listings before you begin to see if Cash App Tax is right for you.

How do cash program fees work?

To use Cash App Taxes, download the Cash App mobile software and create a Cash App account with a valid email address or phone number. The signup process will also require a debit card to be linked to your account, but you don't need to continue.

From the mobile app, you can access Cash App Tax via the Banking tab – under Tax, look for a link to a free tax return. The middle screen has File Now or Tax Refund buttons, as well as a link for people who have filed for Credit Karma Tax in previous years.

After verifying your identity with your Social Security number, the app will ask you to create a password for the Cash App Taxes app, not for the Cash App as a whole.

Cash App Taxes offers a wide variety of IRS forms and programs, but the interview-style filing process is fairly straightforward. There is no navigation scheme – you will have to go back to the main tax page to access the different parts of the return. The content of technical support and tax information is also limited. A question mark icon is available for all form entries, but the instructions are brief and often include a link to the IRS website for more information.

The help slide FAQ only links to the Cash App Tax Support homepage at taxhelp.cash.app. There's live chat for website issues and basic tax questions, but no phone support or guarantee from a tax expert.

How to do cash app tax on pc

You can use your mobile device or computer to file your taxes from the Cash App, but the browser login process is unique. Every time you access the desktop version, Cash App Taxes sends a text message to your phone with a link to verify your identity. If you're having trouble logging in on your computer, log into the app on your phone and go to the Money tab. After logging in, repeat the steps to log in from the desktop.

Since Cash App Taxes doesn't support form loading, you can enter a lot of data manually, which works much better with a keyboard. The desktop login process is a bit annoying, but it can get even more frustrating if you work long-term or log in frequently. Cash App Taxes allows you to take pictures of your W-2 forms, but I couldn't access this feature via a desktop web browser (Chrome or Opera) or an Android tablet.

While you can use the Cash App on both mobile and desktop applications, switching between the two platforms may cause some disruptions. While information like dependents and charitable contributions sync instantly, it took about an hour to transfer the W-2 information from the mobile app entry to the browser version. Very rarely do we also encounter annoying error screens when switching between mobile app and browser software.

Is Cash App really tax free?

Yes, the cash request tax is exempt. In fact, you can't pay for the service or upgrade to premium support. The product makes money by targeting ads to other financial services.

Cash App Taxes also draws people to the Cash App payment service, which generates money in a variety of ways, including hardware retail fees, transaction fees, bitcoin sales, and net-interest loans.

What is the difference between a cash use tax and a credit karma tax?

Credit Karma Tax was a free tax service originally offered by financial firm Credit Karma, which sold the Cash App tax service in November 2020. Cash App's company owner, Block, acquired Credit Karma Tax in late 2020.

Other notable features of the money tax program

Cash App Taxes offers two guarantees: accurate calculations and maximum refunds. The Accurate Settlement Guarantee will pay out up to $1,000 if the service makes a mistake that results in IRS penalties.

Cash App Taxes also offers free protection for one year. If you decide to reapply with a cash application in 2023, your audit protection is extended to three years.

Taxpayers can file returns digitally or print them by mail. Cash App Taxes recommends using the desktop version to print forms. Tax refunds can be added to your Cash App account, deposited into your bank via direct deposit, or sent by check.

Summary

Cash App Taxes offers a simple mobile option for taxpayers looking for a free version that doesn't skimp on forms and paperwork. The lack of comprehensive tax support makes it the best choice for do-it-yourselfers and taxpayers who are confident in their ability to file income tax returns. Cash App users who have already installed the mobile app and are subject to the Cash App tax restrictions have no reason not to use it.

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