Credit Karma Tax is a completely free e-filing tax service and is one of the best e-filing systems out there. The service allows you to file your federal and states taxes completely free of charge, with no strings attached. Their website proudly states “as free as free gets”, and they’re not lying. Credit Karma Tax offers a simple and intuitive interface that clearly demonstrates the exact amounts you owe to your state government and the federal government. There are even little icons representing each of the state governments, like a peach for Georgia and the Golden Gate Bridge for California.
Credit Karma Tax allows you to easily claim a tax refund, too. You can claim both federal and states tax refunds (if you’re owed them) by following their easy-to-use system. Credit Karma Tax’s e-filing service also allows you to discover tax credits and tax deductions that you may be eligible for, simply by answering a few questions. Their system then calculates your overall tax liability, as well as any tax money that you’re owed in refunds.
Sometimes tax refunds can take up to 3 weeks for the IRS to process, which can be frustrating if you’re expecting a refund and are in need of the cash sooner rather than later. Luckily, Credit Karma Tax offers users a service called the “Earlybird Advance” whereby you can receive a prepaid card with $500 – $1,000 on it. The loan is completely interest-free, doesn’t affect your credit report or credit score, and the whole approval process can be done online. If approved, MetaBank will put the loan on an American Express card the day after the IRS accepts your tax return. The card takes 4-6 business days to arrive for most of the United States, and up to 10 business days if you live in Hawaii or Alaska. There really is no catch to the service; you’re essentially receiving an advance on your tax refund!
Throughout your e-filing process, Credit Karma’s online team are standing by to help you and answer your questions via the system’s online chat function. If you’re confused by a question in your e-filing process, you simply message one of their advisors who will be able to clear things up for you quickly. Their online help service is available 24/7. You’ll also find helpful tips and help boxes in their system as you go along, and they also feature blogs and articles that explain some of the more complicated tax matters in detail.
Credit Karma Tax’s e-filing system handles all of the most common tax forms (and many of the less common ones) at no charge. You’ll be able to sort out things such as itemized deductions, tuition and fees deductions, miscellaneous income, charitable donations, and much more. Here you’ll find forms such as the 1098-E, 1098-T, W-2, 1040, and many more.
The Credit Karma Tax e-filing service is a seriously good system for those who may not be familiar with the tax filing process, as the service explains everything to you as you go along. The fact that the whole process is completely free only adds to its appeal.