FreeTaxUSA vs Gbooks
FreeTaxUSA
freetaxusa.comGbooks
gbooks.co.ukSide by side
| Figure | FreeTaxUSA | Gbooks |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | £10.42/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 13 |
| Spec score · Tax Software | 9.1 (#7) | 7.8 (#82) |
| Spec score · Personal Tax Software | 9.0 (#9) | 7.6 (#87) |
| Founded | 2001 | 2008 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Headquarters | Provo, Utah, United States | Tunbridge Wells, Kent, United Kingdom |
| Mobile access | FreeTaxUSA says its website is optimized for filing on a phone and requires no app. | web_only |
| Notable limits | The software does not support foreign employment income on Form 2555, nonresident alien returns, or customers or preparers living outside the United States when filing. | Pricing states that licenses allow one user and additional licenses cost 20% per additional user; Company Secretarial and Practice Manager require Practice Plus accounts. |
| Security | 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. | Gbooks says sensitive data is encrypted with a key unique to each accountancy practice, connections to its central server are locked, and data is backed up daily to a second secure data centre. |
| Self-employment support | Yes | Yes |
| State filing | paid_add_on | none |
| Support | Basic support is available by email and in-app support center, and the company says replies typically arrive within half an hour. | The trial terms state that standard customer support is included during normal UK business hours, 9am to 5pm on business days. |
Plans
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
Gbooks
- Personal Tax — 25 Tax Returns£125 a year
- Personal Tax — 50 Tax Returns£225 a year
- Personal Tax — Unlimited£275 a year
- Partnership tax — 10 Tax Returns£125 a year
- Personal tax — 25 Tax Returns£125 a year
- Single company license — 1 Year Accounts & CT600£180 a year
- Partnership tax — Unlimited£195 a year
- Personal tax — 50 Tax Returns£225 a year
- Practice Plus — 25 Tax Returns, Accounts or VAT Returns£240 a year
- Personal tax — Unlimited£275 a year
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.