Cash App Taxes Review

Tax season is a time of year that many dread—hours spent poring over forms, deciphering complex tax codes, and, often, shelling out money for software or professional help. But what if there was a way to file your taxes quickly, accurately, and—most enticingly—for free? Enter Cash App Taxes, a service that promises to do just that.In  2025, Cash App Taxes has solidified its reputation as one of the only truly free tax filing options available for both federal and state returns, regardless of your tax situation’s complexity. In this review, we’ll dive deep into what Cash App Taxes offers, its strengths and limitations, how it stacks up against competitors, and whether it’s the right choice for you this tax season.

What Is Cash App Taxes?

Cash App Taxes, formerly known as Credit Karma Tax, is an online tax preparation service integrated into the Cash App ecosystem, owned by Block, Inc. (the same company behind Square). Launched after Cash App acquired Credit Karma’s tax division in 2020, it rebranded and expanded its reach, aiming to simplify tax filing for millions of Americans. Unlike many competitors that offer free tiers with significant restrictions, Cash App Taxes stands out by providing a fully free service—no upsells, no hidden fees—for federal and state tax returns. Whether you’re a W-2 employee, a freelancer with 1099s, or someone with investment income, Cash App Taxes claims to have you covered.

To use the service, you need a Cash App account, which you can set up via the mobile app or desktop platform. From there, you access the tax filing feature, answer a series of questions about your financial situation, and let the software handle the rest—auto-populating forms and performing calculations. It’s designed to be intuitive, fast, and accessible, appealing to DIY filers who want to avoid the cost and complexity of traditional tax prep.

Key Features of Cash App Taxes

1. 100% Free Filing for Federal and State Returns

The headline feature of Cash App Taxes is its cost—or lack thereof. As of 2025, it remains one of the only tax software options that offers completely free filing for both federal and state returns, with no income limits or situational restrictions (barring a few exceptions we’ll cover later). This contrasts sharply with competitors like TurboTax and H&R Block, which often limit their free tiers to simple returns (e.g., W-2 income with standard deductions) and charge for state filings or more complex scenarios like self-employment or crypto transactions.

2. Broad Form Support

Cash App Taxes supports most major IRS forms and schedules, making it versatile for a free service. You can file with W-2s, 1099s (including 1099-K, 1099-NEC, and 1099-MISC), investment income, rental income, and even some deductions and credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). While it doesn’t cover every possible tax scenario (more on that later), its scope is impressive for a no-cost option.

3. User-Friendly Interface

The platform adopts a straightforward, no-frills approach. You can choose between an interview-style process—where it asks simple questions to guide you through your return—or a self-guided option where you jump directly to relevant sections (e.g., wages, deductions, credits). The homepage lists tax topics clearly—Family Credits, Self-Employment, Investments—making navigation a breeze. Pages load quickly, and the design prioritizes functionality over flashy graphics, which speeds up the filing process.

4. Import Capabilities

If you filed with Cash App Taxes (or Credit Karma Tax) last year, your prior return data imports automatically. Even better, it supports importing 1040s from competitors like TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct, saving time on re-entering personal details. You can also snap a photo of your W-2 to upload it directly—a handy feature for mobile users.

5. Refund Guarantees and Audit Defense

Cash App Taxes offers an Accurate Calculations Guarantee, promising to reimburse up to $1,000 in penalties or interest if a software error leads to IRS charges. It also provides a Max Refund Guarantee, ensuring you get the largest refund possible—or up to $100 back if another service finds a bigger refund with the same data. Additionally, free audit defense through a third-party partner, Tax Protection Plus, helps with document organization and IRS correspondence if you’re audited.

6. Early Refund Access

If you deposit your refund into a Cash App account, you could receive it up to five days faster than with a traditional bank, thanks to Cash App’s direct deposit integration. This perk aligns with the platform’s broader financial services focus.

7. Security Measures

Security is a priority, leveraging Cash App’s experience as a financial services provider. It uses 128-bit or higher encryption, requires multi-factor authentication (via text, email, or authenticator apps), and employs a dedicated security team to monitor vulnerabilities. This gives users peace of mind when handling sensitive tax data.

How Does Cash App Taxes Work?

Filing with Cash App Taxes is streamlined and efficient. After logging into your Cash App account, you start by answering a short questionnaire about your tax situation—marital status, dependents, income sources, etc. This tailors the process, showing only the sections relevant to you. From there:

1. Enter Personal Info: Input basics like your name, Social Security number, and address.
2. Add Income: Upload W-2s or manually enter data from 1099s, investment statements, or other sources.
3. Claim Deductions and Credits: Answer prompts about expenses (e.g., student loan interest, charitable donations) to maximize your refund.
4. Review and File: The software checks for errors, auto-fills forms, and lets you review everything before e-filing.

Most users can complete the process in minutes, especially for simple returns. For complex filings—like self-employment income with multiple 1099s—it takes longer but remains manageable thanks to clear prompts and explanations.

Pros of Cash App Taxes

Cost Savings

The biggest draw is the price: $0. For comparison, TurboTax charges $39-$89+ for state filings, and H&R Block’s Deluxe tier starts at $35 plus $37 per state. Cash App Taxes eliminates these costs entirely, even for gig workers or investors.

Speed and Simplicity

The platform’s minimalist design and fast load times make filing quick. Users on X have praised its ease, with one noting it “saves tons of time and gets it right” for complicated forms (paraphrased from current sentiment). It’s ideal for confident filers who don’t need hand-holding.

Robust for a Free Service

Unlike IRS Free File or other bare-bones options, Cash App Taxes handles a wide range of tax situations—self-employment, crypto sales, rental income—without upselling you to a paid tier.

Added Perks

The refund speed boost and free audit defense add value, especially for users already in the Cash App ecosystem.

Cons of Cash App Taxes

Limited Customer Support

The biggest downside is support—or lack thereof. There’s no phone or live chat for tax-specific questions, only email and a searchable Tax Help Center with FAQs. While informational links are embedded in forms, they’re no substitute for professional guidance. Competitors like TurboTax offer paid expert help, which Cash App Taxes can’t match.

Restrictions on State Returns

You can only file one state return per federal return. If you lived or worked in multiple states (e.g., part-year residency), you’ll need another service. It also doesn’t support nonresident state returns or states like Tennessee and New Hampshire that tax interest and dividends uniquely.

Exclusions for Complex Scenarios

Cash App Taxes doesn’t cover foreign income over $600, income from estates/trusts, or business returns for S corps, C corps, LLCs, or partnerships. First-time filers or those with niche situations may find it lacking.

App Dependency

You must download Cash App and create an account, which might deter users who prefer standalone tax software or don’t want another financial app.

Who Should Use Cash App Taxes?

Cash App Taxes is best for:

• DIY Filers: Confident taxpayers comfortable navigating forms without live help.
• Simple to Moderately Complex Returns: W-2 employees, freelancers, or investors with one state return.
• Budget-Conscious Users: Anyone seeking a free alternative to paid software.

It’s less ideal for:

• Multi-State Filers: Those needing multiple state returns or part-year residency filings.
• First-Timers or Complex Cases: People needing extensive guidance or handling rare tax scenarios.
• Business Owners: Corporations and partnerships are unsupported.

How Does It Compare to Competitors?

TurboTax

TurboTax offers a robust free tier for simple returns (W-2s, standard deduction), but state filings and complex situations (e.g., 1099s, itemized deductions) require paid upgrades ($39-$129+). It provides expert support and a polished interface but at a premium.

H&R Block

H&R Block’s Free Online covers more forms than TurboTax’s free tier (e.g., EITC, student deductions), but state filings cost $37, and advanced features jump to $35-$85+. It offers in-person and live chat support, outpacing Cash App Taxes in assistance.

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA is another low-cost option, with free federal filing and $14.99 per state. It supports more forms than Cash App Taxes and offers affordable live support ($34.99), making it a middle ground between free and premium services.

IRS Free File

The IRS’s free program is truly no-cost but limited to basic forms and incomes under $79,000 (for most providers). It lacks the user-friendly interface and extras (e.g., audit defense) of Cash App Taxes.

Cash App Taxes wins on price and breadth for a free service but trails in support and flexibility.

User Experience and Reputation

Cash App Taxes enjoys a solid reputation among users for its simplicity and cost. The broader Cash App platform boasts 4.8/5 stars on the Apple App Store (7 million reviews) and 4.6/5 on Google Play (3 million reviews). However, its Better Business Bureau rating is lower (1.09/5), with complaints about customer service and occasional calculation disputes—though these are unverified. Positive feedback highlights its ease for simple returns, while negatives often cite support limitations.

Is Cash App Taxes Safe?

Yes, Cash App Taxes is secure. It adheres to IRS e-file standards, uses strong encryption, and requires multi-factor authentication. Its banking background bolsters its security credentials, though users should still follow best practices (unique passwords, VPNs on public Wi-Fi) to protect data.

Final Verdict: Should You Use Cash App Taxes in 2025?

Cash App Taxes is a standout choice for 2025 if you want a free, fast, and reliable way to file federal and state taxes—especially if your situation is straightforward or moderately complex. Its no-cost model, broad form support, and perks like early refunds and audit defense make it a compelling alternative to pricier competitors. However, its lack of live support and restrictions (e.g., multi-state returns, foreign income) mean it’s not for everyone.

If you’re a confident filer with a single-state return—say, a freelancer with 1099s or a W-2 worker with some investments—Cash App Taxes could save you time and money. But if you need hand-holding, have a multi-state situation, or run a business, consider TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA instead. Ultimately, Cash App Taxes delivers on its promise of free filing without skimping too much on features, making it a top pick for budget-savvy taxpayers in 2025.