Cash App Taxes Review
Filers who want completely free federal and state filing and have straightforward to moderately complex returns that do not require multi-state filing or uncommon forms.
Cash App Taxes, formerly known as Credit Karma Tax, is a completely free tax filing service that charges nothing for federal or state returns. It is the only major tax software that offers truly free state filing alongside free federal filing, with no premium tiers, upsells, or hidden charges. The service is owned by Block, Inc. (formerly Square), which acquired Credit Karma Tax from Intuit as a condition of the TurboTax acquisition of Credit Karma.
The platform handles a broad range of tax situations including W-2 employment, self-employment (Schedule C), investments (Schedule D), rental income (Schedule E), and common deductions and credits. The interface is modern and mobile-first, reflecting its integration with the Cash App ecosystem. Filing is done through the Cash App mobile application, making it one of the most mobile-friendly options available.
The free model is supported by the broader Cash App ecosystem rather than tax filing fees. Block benefits from having users engaged with Cash App, where they may use banking, investing, and payment features that generate revenue. This means the tax product does not need to generate direct revenue, allowing it to remain completely free.
The main limitation is that Cash App Taxes does not support certain complex tax situations. Multi-state returns, part-year state returns, foreign tax credits (Form 1116), and several less common forms are not available. Before starting your return, it is worth checking the list of supported situations to ensure your tax needs are covered.
Pricing
Free (Everything)
- Federal e-filing at no cost
- State e-filing at no cost
- W-2 and 1099 income
- Itemized deductions (Schedule A)
- Investment income (Schedule D)
- Self-employment income (Schedule C)
- Rental income (Schedule E)
- HSA and education credits
- No upsells or hidden fees
Pros
- Completely free federal and state filing with no paid tiers, upsells, or hidden charges whatsoever
- Covers a wide range of tax situations including self-employment, investments, and rental income at no cost
- Clean, modern mobile-first interface designed for a younger, tech-savvy audience
- Direct integration with Cash App for seamless refund deposit into your Cash App balance
- Backed by Block (formerly Square), a major publicly traded fintech company
- Free state filing is a significant advantage over FreeTaxUSA ($14.99) and others that charge for state returns
Cons
- Cannot handle certain complex situations including multi-state returns, part-year state returns, and married filing separately in community property states
- No support for Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit form), non-qualified stock options, or certain less common forms
- Requires a Cash App account to use the tax filing service
- Help resources and explanations are minimal compared to established tax software providers
- Relatively new product (formerly Credit Karma Tax) with a shorter track record than established competitors
Features
| Feature | Included | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal e-filing | Completely free | |
| State e-filing | Completely free (one state) | |
| W-2 photo import | ||
| Direct import from financial institutions | Limited partnerships | |
| Itemized deductions (Schedule A) | ||
| Investment income (Schedule D) | ||
| Self-employment income (Schedule C) | ||
| Cryptocurrency tax reporting | Basic support via Schedule D | |
| Multi-state filing | Not supported | |
| Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) | Not supported | |
| Prior year data import | Not available | |
| Mobile app filing | Primary filing method via Cash App |
Our Verdict
Cash App Taxes is the best choice for filers who want completely free filing including state returns and have tax situations that fall within its supported scope. Check the limitations before committing, but if your return qualifies, there is no reason to pay for another product.
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