FileYourTaxes.com Review 2022: Still Pricey And Difficult To Use

FileYourTaxes.com is a tax filing software that’s designed to prevent all sorts of human errors. It has amazing calculators and built-in error detection.

The problem? The software is so cluttered, jargon-laden, and confusing that it makes filing difficult. The software has good bones, but it's not one that we recommend in 2022.

Below, we detail the areas of disappointment. See how it compares to tax software on our list of the best tax software.

FileYourTaxes.com - Is It Free?

FileYourTaxes.com allows you to “e-file” for free, but charges filers for the construction of the return. That means it’s not really free. The company charges for both state and federal filing.

Check out our list of the best free tax software if you're looking for a free alternative.

What’s New In 2022?

FileYourTaxes revamped the user experience in 2022, making it dramatically simpler than in previous years. That’s not to say the software is easy to use. It’s still cluttered and full of tax jargon. But it performs much better than in previous years.

The software also has improved error messaging. If a user makes a mistake, the software uses a pink box with red text to highlight the error and explain what needs to change.

Finally, FileYourTaxes streamlined its pricing structure. It has two plans, and filers pay based on the complexity of their returns.

Does FileYourTaxes.com Make Filing Easy In 2022?

FileYourTaxes has a robust backend that includes useful calculators, and robust error checking. It throws useful errors to users entering their information. Unfortunately, this functionality alone doesn’t make tax filing easy.

FileYourTaxes has jumbled poorly-designed screens. Users have to answer questions that the software should determine on its own. Plus, the company has too much text on every single screen which leads to filing fatigue.

FileYourTaxes.com Notable Features

FileYourTaxes.com is quite different from most other tax programs we tested this year. Most of the differences are detractors, but the software has a few shining moments.

Excellent Error Messages

Any time a user receives an error message, the message explains why there is an error and what corrective action the user should take. This can be helpful when users need to check a box, or otherwise, add a small detail that they may otherwise forget.

Helpful Intra-Section Summaries

Many companies don’t provide in-section summaries to help users assess whether they’ve completed the section properly. FileYourTaxes.com has tons of these useful summary sections that show users the effects of everything they’ve done.

FileYourTaxes.com Notable Drawbacks

Most of the FileYourTaxes.com drawbacks relate to the user experience. Filers may be able to use it effectively but will have a terrible time while completing taxes.

Poorly Designed Interface

The FileYourTaxes user interface looks like a website from the early 2000s. The text and boxes are often crammed onto the screen with poor alignment. This may seem like a small issue, but it can cause lots of mistakes when users can’t see the information their entering.

No Option To Import Information

Users can’t import tax forms like W-2 or 1099 forms. Given the price of FileYourTaxes.com, users should expect to snap pictures and have the software enter information on their behalf. However, FileYourTaxes doesn’t have this option, so users have to manually transcribe information from their tax forms to the software.

Too Much Text

A primary issue with FileYourTaxes is the amount of text on each page. Filers need to read long question after long question and scroll endlessly to complete each screen. The sheer volume of text on each screen cause filing to take much longer than necessary.

FileYourTaxes.com Plans And Pricing

FileYourTaxes.com breaks pricing into two major buckets. The basic tier covers most people except those who are self-employed. The Complex tier covers self-employed people and business owners.

FileYourTaxes.com doesn’t offer many extras. You can use the site to file extensions or amended returns, but other major software services offer similar options (and are easier to use).

How Does FileYourTaxes.com Compare?

FileYourTaxes.com is priced at the high end of the market, but bargain competitors like Cash App Taxes and TaxHawk offer a better user experience. We also compared FileYourTaxes.com to H&R Block which is premium software that makes filing easy for almost all users. 

How Do I Contact FileYourTaxes.com Support?

Customer support is not one of FileYourTaxes.com's strengths. Unlike what you'll find with many of its competitors, there no options to receive advice from tax pros or even audit assistance.

Basic customer is available by phone at 805-256-1788 and via secure messaging. Operating hours for the phone support team is Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (PT). The company says that its typical response time for written inquiries is 24-48 hours.

If you'd prefer to try to find questions on your own, you can check out the FYT Wiki. FileYourTaxes.com doesn't have a Truspilot profile but is rated A with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Is It Safe And Secure?

FileYourTaxes uses multi-factor authentication and boasts multiple independent security credentials. It uses encryption to keep user information safe and secure.

However, FileYourTaxes isn’t completely above-board with its user information. After completing a basic information section (that includes a required user agreement), FileYourTaxes asks for consent to sell your information to two specific lenders.

Of course, users have the option to decline, but the decline button is a small check box whereas the consent button is large and blue. This seems like a shady business practice.

Is It Worth It?

FileYourTaxes.com offers great calculators and useful summaries in 2022, but the strengths of the software aren’t enough to recommend it. It's far too expensive for what you get it and users seeking premium software can find better alternatives. Rather than using FileYourTaxes.com, filers should check out the best tax software for their situation.

FileYourTaxes.com FAQs

Let's answer a few of the most common questions that people ask about tax software sites like FileYourTaxes.com:

Can FileYourTaxes help me file my crypto investments?

FileYourTaxes supports crypto trading, but filers have to manually enter each transaction on the Capital Gains and Losses Listing Page. The page is long and complex and filers can only enter one transaction per page. Rather than enduring the cumbersome task of manually entering information, crypto traders may want to use software like TurboTax Premier and upload IRS form 8949 from TaxBit.com.

Can I request my stimulus check through FileYourTaxes?

Tax filers who didn’t receive their third stimulus check may be eligible for the Rebate Recovery Credit. FileYourTaxes determines a filer’s eligibility based on their income and other factors. If a filer qualifies for the credit, FileYourTaxes adds the credit to the return. The balance of the stimulus check will be added to an annual refund check (or subtracted from taxes due).

I didn’t receive the full amount of Advance Child Tax Credit Payments. Can FileYourTaxes help me get the rest?

Yes, FileYourTaxes.com requests information about your dependents and about any advanced payments that you received. Parents who didn’t receive the appropriate amount can use FileYourTaxes to calculate and claim the full Child Tax Credit. The unpaid amounts will be added to the parent’s refund.

Can FileYourTaxes.com help me with state filing in multiple states?

Yes, FileYourTaxes supports multi-state filing. Users have to select all the states that require returns, and FileYourTaxes charges $35 per state return.

Does FileYourTaxes offer refund advance loans?

No, FileYourTaxes.com doesn’t directly offer refund advance loans.

FileYourTaxes.com Features