+1 for FreeTaxUSA. Simple software, reasonable rates, no dark patterns (that I’ve seen). However, with the slush fund that the government has, I don’t see why they can’t make their own.

They can.

In fact, they already do it.

The IRS already does your taxes for you.

It’s the TurboTax lobbying that prevents them from giving it to you.

Same. They’re pretty upfront about what they charge for. Only thing I’ve ever paid for is the $15 for state filing.

This was the first year I paid for the Deluxe. Stripe didn't withhold enough taxes from the severance, and now I owe the IRS $11k. This station, combined with moving states, made me want to ask a tax analyst a few questions.

Was the Deluxe support helpful? I've also got into situations where I'm not sure about a particular thing (e.g. inadequate withholding for RSUs), and I don't want to pay Intuit more $$$ to talk to a CPA with these questions!

I used a TT "expert" last year who didn't seem to grasp what I was asking I feel like, but agreed with what I hoped they would say, they're a certified tax professional and I have them down as who told me how to classify it... but I have no idea if they'd really put their weight behind it in person. It felt a little "off" to me.

They were helpful enough to make it worth the extra $20 spend imo