Looking for forum to get instructions for tax session forums
You’ve been searching for a forum that has TurboTax 2025 with state — and here’s the part nobody tells you: you don’t need to find one.
Right now (takes 10 minutes): go to myfreetaxes.com → click “File My Own Taxes” → use the United Way referral link. Free federal + free state, powered by TaxSlayer, works on your phone. If you get stuck, call 1-866-698-9435 — real people, IRS-trained, available daily until April 15.
This weekend (backup if MyFreeTaxes doesn’t fit): download Cash App → open Cash App Taxes inside it → file federal and state for $0 with zero income limits. I use this one — it’s genuinely $0 for everything, no surprise charges, no upsells.
Here’s what would’ve wasted your time: TurboTax left the IRS Free File program in 2021. They’re not coming back. Any forum promising “free TurboTax” is either outdated or selling you something.
| You mentioned | What works | Time |
|---|---|---|
| “TurboTax 2025” | You don’t need TurboTax — free alternatives do everything it does for $0 | — |
| “Any edition” | Your return is probably simple enough for the free tier on any platform | 10 min to check |
| “State instructions” | MyFreeTaxes and Cash App Taxes both include state at $0 | Done same session |
| “Forum with instructions” | The instructions are built into the software — it walks you through every line | No searching needed |
🎯 Do Exactly This, In This Order (Full Breakdown)
Path 1 — MyFreeTaxes (United Way) ← Start here
The link matters more than the tool: MyFreeTaxes uses TaxSlayer’s engine, but you MUST start at myfreetaxes.com. Going to TaxSlayer directly charges you. The United Way referral link is what makes it free.
- Cost: $0 federal + $0 state
- Who qualifies: Anyone with AGI under $89,000 (that’s about 70% of US taxpayers)
- What you need: W-2s, Social Security number, bank routing number for direct deposit
- Support: Phone helpline at 1-866-698-9435, available daily 10 AM – 8 PM through April 15
- Available in: English and Spanish
Path 2 — Cash App Taxes ← If you earn over $89K or want mobile-first
- Cost: $0 federal + $0 state, no exceptions
- Who qualifies: Everyone (unless you need multistate or foreign income)
- How: Download Cash App → sign up → open “Taxes” section → follow the prompts
- Refund speed: Up to 5 days faster if you deposit into your Cash App account
Path 3 — IRS Free File (through FreeTaxUSA) ← If you want more control
- Go to IRS.gov/freefile
- Use the “Find a Trusted Partner” tool
- Pick TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA) — free federal + free state for AGI ≤ $89K
- FreeTaxUSA handles complex returns too: investments, rental income, self-employment, itemized deductions — all free for federal
Path 4 — VITA (In-Person, Completely Free)
- IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
- Income limit: usually $67K–$69K (some sites accept up to $89K)
- Located at libraries, community centers, and schools near you
- Find your nearest site: IRS VITA Locator or call 800-906-9887
- IRS-certified volunteers handle federal + state, and they e-file for you
- Available February through April 15 every year
“But I specifically want TurboTax” — Cheapest legitimate paths
TurboTax Free Edition (Online): $0 federal + $0 state — but only for the simplest returns. W-2 income + standard deduction + basic credits only. The moment you have bank interest, education credits, or retirement contributions, it forces an upgrade to $39-99+.
TurboTax Desktop (cheapest purchase): Costco or Sam’s Club sell Deluxe + State for ~$45-56 with a $10 in-product credit. Amazon runs one-day deals in January (~$35 after gift card). State e-file costs $25 extra, but the $10 credit partially offsets it. Requires Windows 11 or macOS 14 — Windows 10 is completely unsupported for TurboTax 2025, even with Microsoft’s extended security patches.
What NOT to do
- Don’t search forums for “free TurboTax license keys” — desktop activation validates server-side against Intuit’s database. Keys aren’t reusable or shareable.
- Don’t use TurboTax from a previous year — the software is locked to its release year. TurboTax 2024 can’t file 2025 taxes.
- Don’t go to TurboTax.com expecting IRS Free File — Intuit left the program in 2021.
- Don’t start with TurboTax’s “Live Assisted” option unless you want it — it’s an upsell you can’t downgrade from once selected.
Your Situation → Do This
| If you… | Do this | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Earn under $89K, want it done in 10 min | MyFreeTaxes | $0 |
| Earn any amount, have a single state | Cash App Taxes | $0 |
| Want maximum control + complex return | IRS Free File → FreeTaxUSA | $0 |
| Don’t want to touch a computer | VITA — call 800-906-9887 | $0 |
| Absolutely must have TurboTax | Buy from Costco/Amazon during January deals | ~$35-56 |
Tax deadline is April 15, 2026 — you’ve got time, but the free options work best when you start now (VITA sites fill up fast toward the deadline). What state are you filing in? Some of these paths have state-specific quirks worth knowing about.
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