CloudTax vs FreeTaxUSA
CloudTax
cloudtax.ca
FreeTaxUSA
freetaxusa.comSide by side
| Figure | CloudTax | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $3.25/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 14 | 10 |
| Spec score · Tax Software | 9.2 (#4) | 9.1 (#7) |
| Spec score · Personal Tax Software | 9.1 (#5) | 9.0 (#9) |
| Audit support | Plus and Pro include Audit Protection; Free users can purchase Audit Support as an add-on. | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 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 |
| Self-employment support | Yes | Yes |
| State filing | included | paid_add_on |
Plans
CloudTax
- CloudTax FreeFree
- CloudTax Plus$39 a year
- Review & File Basic$75 a month
- Review & File Premium$125 a month
- Review & File Business$149 a month
- Done For You Basic$99 a month
- Done For You Premium$249 a month
- Done For You Business$349 a month
- Basic Done For YouPrice not published
- Basic ReviewPrice not published
FreeTaxUSA
- Federal tax returnPriced on request
- State tax returnPriced on request
- Deluxe SupportPriced on request
- Pro SupportPriced on request
- Audit DefensePriced on request
- Federal tax returnFree
- Deluxe Support$7.99, paid once
- State tax return$15.99, paid once
- Audit Defense$19.99, paid once
- Pro Support$64.99, paid once
In their own words
CloudTax
CloudTax is tax-filing software from CloudTax Inc., based in Toronto, Ontario. It supports self-guided filing and options with review or preparation, and completed returns are submitted to the CRA through NETFILE. The Free plan supports simple tax situations and up to two returns; users can choose to pay even $0. Plus costs $39 a year and allows up to 20 returns from one dashboard. The software supports self-employment, investment, and rental income. It can import CRA slips, use AI to extract details from scanned or uploaded tax documents, and connect with Koinly crypto taxes and CloudReceipts. CloudReceipts captures, categorizes, and manages receipts and syncs expenses for deductions. CloudTax is available on iOS and Android, with web and mobile access. Tax data is encrypted on its servers, and CloudTax says it shares information only with the CRA when the user submits a return through NETFILE. Support options include live chat, email, video tutorials, and tax experts. CloudTax has been CRA-certified since the 2018 tax year.
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.