Cash App Taxes is an online tax filing service that works best for confident filers and those with simple tax returns. You won't receive much in the way of help and live support. Most of your tax information will also have to be entered manually.
But when Cash App Taxes tells you the service is completely free, it's serious. Even taxpayers with more complicated filing situations (freelance income, business deductions, crypto trades, rental property income or health savings accounts) can use Cash App Taxes for free. And unlike FreeTaxUSA, you can file your state taxes for free too (Cash App accepts only one state tax return per filer).
The catch? You have to download the Cash App mobile app before you can file -- even if you’re filing via desktop. This creates a wonky signup process that some users new to Cash App's ecosystem may be turned off by.
- 100% free for one federal and one state return
- Max Refund and Accurate Calculations Guarantees
- Free audit defense for one year
- You can’t file multiple state returns
- No professional tax advice
- Most tax forms have to be completed manually
Who should use Cash App Taxes?
If you’re experienced with Cash App's other services, like peer-to-peer payment and banking, you should consider Cash App Taxes software. The tax interface is well integrated into the mobile app, and filers with simple returns (W-2 and some basic credits) can reasonably complete the process in under 30 minutes on either desktop or mobile.
Cash App Taxes is best suited to individuals who want to do their own taxes and don’t need much hand-holding throughout the filing process. While the software has an adequate help section to look up forms and live chat for simple technical and tax questions, support from tax professionals is nonexistent.
Freelancers or side hustlers with multiple 1099 forms can file with Cash App, but the process may be tedious since you'll have to manually input the data. Cash App's tax service doesn’t support uploading forms other than your previous-year's tax return and W-2s.
While Cash App Taxes accepts a wide range of forms, there are some tax situations the service does not cover:
- Multiple state returns
- Nonresident state returns
- Foreign-earned income
- Self-employment income if you live in Puerto Rico
- Underpayment penalty calculations/payments
The Cash App Taxes support portal has a full list of federal forms and situations that it supports along with forms and situations that it doesn’t. Be sure to review the lists before getting started to see if Cash App Taxes will work for you.
How does Cash App Taxes work?
Cash App Taxes covers a majority of tax situations and provides a pretty seamless experience, especially compared to when it first launched. But the signup process remains clunky.
If you're new to Cash App's tax platform, you'll be prompted to download the Cash App mobile app to create an account. You can't create a Cash App account on a desktop, even if you only plan to take advantage of the company's free tax filing service.
In the mobile app, you'll fill out your personal information like your name, date of birth and ZIP code (feel free to skip offers about earning $5 for referring friends or sign up for a Cash App debit card.) Once you do that, you can then sign into your account on your computer. Cash App Taxes will then have you complete two-factor authentication for your registered email and phone number.
If you're an existing Cash App user, you'll have to complete only the last step. In fact, according to CNET senior editor Mike Sorrentino, who uses Cash App to file his taxes often, you never even have to open the mobile app.
Yes, the signup process is lengthy. But is it worth it? I think so. After all, it's free.
If you're used to filing with other tax giants like TurboTax or H&R Block, you'll notice some distinct differences with Cash App Taxes. The software is easy to navigate and doesn't skimp on tax forms, but it falls short in terms of live tax help and document uploading.
In the beginning, you'll answer questions about your tax situation, which will then populate forms you have to fill out. You can add more forms later, if needed. The only tax form that Cash App Taxes lets you upload or snap a picture of (mobile only) is a W-2, according to my tests. Before you can do that, you'll have to manually enter your employer's employer identification number.
I also found I needed to manually input all 1099 forms and other common tax forms, such as student loan interest and health savings accounts. You additionally can't link to your bank or financial institution to import information to automatically fill out 1099-DIV and 1099-INT forms.
Limited help and info on Cash App Taxes can be found by clicking the question mark on the upper right portion of your screen on both mobile and desktop. There, you're presented with two options: a chat where you can ask basic tax questions and an FAQ section to search through articles published on Cash App.
As you go through the tax-filing process, Cash App will make it clear to you if you have a rare tax situation it doesn't support. For example, living in multiple states in a year or having a foreign bank account isn't supported by the service.
If you can't complete your tax return on Cash App, or decide to file somewhere else, click on the three dots menu at the top right of the screen and click "clear and start over."
Is Cash App Taxes really free?
Yes, Cash App Taxes is totally free and promises accurate returns and a maximum refund. You'll never be prompted to pay for the service or upgrade for premium support. It doesn't offer any.
In order to use Cash App Taxes, however, you must download its mobile app, which makes money in a variety of ways, such as instant bank transfer fees, business transaction fees and on bitcoin trades.
Is it safe to file my taxes with the Cash App mobile app?
You can file your taxes with Cash App's tax software online. But it's really built for mobile users, due to its simple interface and vertical layout.
The service is safe to use no matter what option you choose -- many online tax software providers offer online and mobile apps so that taxpayers can file their taxes, check on their refund or download their return.
Cash App has a built-in feature that lets you snap a photo of your physical W-2 using your smartphone camera to automatically import your information. This may save a photo to your device, which could be a security risk if you forget to permanently delete it. Be sure to have a strong password for your phone in case it ends up in someone else's hands.
Other notable features in Cash App Taxes
Cash App Taxes offers two guarantees: Accurate Calculations and Maximum Refund. The Accurate Calculations Guarantee will reimburse you with prepaid Visa gift cards up to $1,000 if the service makes an error that results in IRS penalties.
Cash App Taxes also provides one year of audit defense for free. If you decide to file with Cash App again in 2026, the audit defense protection extends to three years.
Tax refunds can be added to your Cash App account up to five days early, put into your bank with direct deposit or delivered via check in the mail.
Is Cash App taxes right for me?
Cash App Taxes is a great free filing option that doesn't skimp out on tax forms and lets you file one federal and state return.
The tradeoff is less help and support than competitors and a manual input process that can be time-consuming. Because of this, we recommend Cash App Taxes to tax filers with a few forms or relatively simple tax situations.
The unusual desktop login process -- that requires you to download the Cash App mobile app -- isn't ideal. But once you’re set up, you can easily switch to filing on your desktop. And if you already use Cash App, there's little reason not to try it.
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