FreeTaxUSA vs Cash App Taxes (2026)
Cash App Taxes is $0 for federal and one state; FreeTaxUSA is $0 federal plus $15.99 per state. Cash App Taxes requires a Cash App account and does not do multi-state, part-year, nonresident or prior-year returns. If your return fits Cash App Taxes, it saves $15.99; if not, FreeTaxUSA covers more.
By Wealthy Pot Editorial · Facts checked October 19, 2026
| Feature | FreeTaxUSA | Cash App Taxes |
|---|---|---|
| Free federal | Federal $0 for all supported situations | Federal $0 |
| Free for whom | Everyone, no income limit; covers self-employment, investments, rentals and itemizing (not foreign earned income, nonresident returns or filers living abroad) | Filers with a Cash App account and an SSN, in a supported state, without unsupported forms (no multi-state, part-year, nonresident, foreign income or prior-year returns) |
| Paid federal | Federal $0; optional Deluxe $7.99, Pro Support $64.99, Audit Defense $19.99 | No paid tiers |
| Per state | $15.99 per state | $0 for one state (40 states + DC; not Montana) |
| Expert help | Pro Support $64.99 (tax pro by phone, final review); Deluxe $7.99 is live chat with support staff | No paid expert tier (Cash App Taxes sells no add-ons) |
| Simple W-2 return + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $0 (Cash App Taxes) |
| Stock sales + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $0 (Cash App Taxes) |
| Self-employed + one state | $15.99 (Federal (all situations)) | $0 (Cash App Taxes) |
| IRS Free File | Yes: free federal and state with AGI of $51,000 or less ($89,000 for active-duty military) | Not an IRS Free File partner for tax year 2025 |
| Best for | Cost-conscious filers with investments, rentals or self-employment income | Single-state filers who already use Cash App and have no unsupported forms |
Prices for 2025 returns (the 2026 filing season), read on each company's site on October 19, 2026; prices for 2026 returns had not been published yet. Totals are our arithmetic for federal plus one state on the cheapest tier that handles each case, before add-ons.
Key differences
Cash App Taxes supports 40 states plus DC (not Montana), one state per return, and needs a Cash App account with an SSN for the primary filer. It does not file multi-state, part-year or nonresident state returns, prior-year returns, or foreign earned income, and amended returns must be mailed.
FreeTaxUSA files more states per return ($15.99 each), prior-year returns (federal free, state $17.99) and amended returns ($16.98, or included with Deluxe). Neither handles foreign earned income on Form 2555.
For help, FreeTaxUSA sells Pro Support with a tax pro ($64.99); Cash App Taxes has no paid tiers or add-ons. FreeTaxUSA is an IRS Free File partner (AGI of $51,000 or less); Cash App Taxes is not.
Where FreeTaxUSA wins
- Federal $0 with stock sales, rentals, a business and K-1s, with no income limit
- State returns at $15.99 each, far below the per-state fees on TurboTax or H&R Block paid tiers
- Phone access to a Tax Pro for a $64.99 add-on
- Prior-year federal returns for 2018 to 2024 also $0
Where Cash App Taxes wins
- Federal and one state return for $0, including Schedules C, D and E
- No upgrades, add-ons or pay-with-refund fee to watch for at checkout
- Free audit defense through Tax Protection Plus
- Imports last year's PDF from TurboTax, H&R Block or TaxAct
Which should you use?
Pick FreeTaxUSA if
- You have stock sales, rentals, a side business or itemized deductions and want to pay $0 for the federal return anyway.
- You are comfortable answering the interview yourself and want help only as an option.
- You need to file a past year from 2018 to 2024: the federal return is still $0.
Pick Cash App Taxes if
- You have a Cash App account, file in one supported state and want to pay $0 for federal and state.
- You have stock sales, a side business or a rental and still want both returns free.
- You want to do the whole return on your phone.
FreeTaxUSA vs Cash App Taxes: FAQ
Is Cash App Taxes really free?
Yes, for federal and one state, with no paid tiers. It requires a Cash App account and only supports certain states and forms.
Can I file two states with Cash App Taxes?
No. It does not support multi-state, part-year or nonresident state returns. FreeTaxUSA does, at $15.99 per state.
Compare these against every option in our tax software comparison.
We summarize each product's published pricing and features, not user reviews. Facts come from our full reviews of both products, each checked against the company's own pages on October 19, 2026 with every source listed. Tax-software prices change through the season. We do not earn commissions from these companies. Nothing here is tax advice.