CalCal vs FreeTaxUSA
CalCal
calcal.uk
FreeTaxUSA
freetaxusa.comSide by side
| Figure | CalCal | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 15 |
| Spec score · Tax Software | 8.8 (#19) | 9.1 (#6) |
| Spec score · Personal Tax Software | 8.6 (#27) | 9.0 (#7) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | London N12 0BP, United Kingdom | Provo, Utah, United States |
| Investment income | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile access | web_and_mobile | FreeTaxUSA says its website is optimized for filing on a phone and requires no app. |
| Rental income | Yes | Yes |
| Security | CalCal describes encrypted connections, an idle PIN lock, autosave, regular backups, and records stored separately by user. | FreeTaxUSA says all data is encrypted, its physical servers have strict access controls and 24/7 monitoring, and it meets or exceeds IRS security requirements. |
| Self-employment support | Yes | Yes |
| State filing | none | paid_add_on |
| Support | CalCal provides a help centre with articles covering tax returns, VAT, basic usage, and pre-sales questions. | Basic support is available by email and in-app support center, and the company says replies typically arrive within half an hour. |
Plans
CalCal
- Free accessFree
- Unlimited£5 a month
- Unlimited +£8 a month
- Tax return only£35 a month
- Self-Assessment tax return only£35, paid once
- Unlimited+£8 a month
FreeTaxUSA
- Federal tax returnPriced on request
- Federal tax returnPrice not published
- State tax returnPriced on request
- State tax returnPrice not published
- Deluxe SupportPriced on request
- Deluxe SupportPrice not published
- Pro SupportPrice not published
- Pro SupportPriced on request
- Audit DefensePriced on request
- Audit DefensePrice not published
In their own words
FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA is an online service for preparing and e-filing federal and state tax returns. Federal filing is free for all tax situations, with no income limits or forced upgrades; state filing is a paid add-on. It supports income and deductions involving investments, rental property, self-employment, education, home ownership, and dependents, and says it covers over 350 credits and deductions. Users can import W-2s and 1099s or upload a prior-return PDF from TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, Cash App, or OLT. Filing tools include IRS e-file, direct deposit, printable returns, prior-year information import, and free tax extension filing. The service is available on web and mobile devices. FreeTaxUSA says data is encrypted, its physical servers have strict access controls and 24/7 monitoring, and it does not sell tax return information. Basic help is offered by email and an in-app support center, with typical replies within half an hour. It does not support foreign employment income on Form 2555, nonresident alien returns, or filings by customers or preparers living outside the United States.