Taxact free file when I wasn't qualified according to their rules

[Jingthing]

April 15 approaches though of course the deadline is later for expats, and you can make it even later if you file for an extension.

 

Anyway, I've been using taxact.com for many years. There was a span where I was eligible for free file but in more recent years I've had to pay ONLY because I get interest income from Thai bank accounts.

 

According to their recent and current rules, any interest income at all kicks you out of the free file category. Technically they say 1099 interest forms. I don't get those from Thai banks but there is no other way to enter my Thai bank interest income on taxact than to do faux 1099 forms as if they did.

 

So anyway I did my very simple return (just social security plus interest income this time) and surprise surprise when it came to the time of paying for the service, it turned out to be free. 

 

I don't know why. Maybe their algorithm decided I couldn't afford to pay. But to be clear when I entered the site, the rules for qualifying for free file were clearly stated, and I did not qualify.

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

Taxact seems pretty useless for free filing if you can't file a Schedule B.

 

If still having problems, try this one:

https://www.olt.com/main/home/default.php

 

• Includes:
• Home ownership   Crypto or Stock Sale
  Rental Property    Freelance/gig worker
  Self-employed      Contractor

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10 by NoDisplayName

[watthong]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

April 15 approaches though of course the deadline is later for expats

 

Oh, I didn't know that. So this is what google gave me:

 

"Expats living and working in another country as a US citizen are required to file US tax returns and pay any taxes due by April 15, 2024, unless an extension applies.2 The standard deadline for Americans living in the US filing a US tax return is April 15, 2024.13 Expats are granted an automatic two-month extension for filing their US tax returns, which extends the US tax filing deadline for expats to June 17, 2024. They may also request additional extensions if needed.3"

 

Thanks JT or tips re taxacct. Never used them before but will give it a try this year. Do they also do state return? Anyway, will give you an update in due course.

[frantick]

51 minutes ago, watthong said:

Do they also do state return?

Yes

[Jingthing]

23 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

Taxact seems pretty useless for free filing if you can't file a Schedule B.

 

If still having problems, try this one:

https://www.olt.com/main/home/default.php

 

• Includes:
• Home ownership   Crypto or Stock Sale
  Rental Property    Freelance/gig worker
  Self-employed      Contractor

 

 

 

 

Yeah which is why I was surprised. 

[Jingthing]

23 hours ago, watthong said:

 

Oh, I didn't know that. So this is what google gave me:

 

"Expats living and working in another country as a US citizen are required to file US tax returns and pay any taxes due by April 15, 2024, unless an extension applies.2 The standard deadline for Americans living in the US filing a US tax return is April 15, 2024.13 Expats are granted an automatic two-month extension for filing their US tax returns, which extends the US tax filing deadline for expats to June 17, 2024. They may also request additional extensions if needed.3"

 

Thanks JT or tips re taxacct. Never used them before but will give it a try this year. Do they also do state return? Anyway, will give you an update in due course.

Many years ago I started using taxact because they accepted a foreign address while other big names didn't.

I reckon by now that other brands have changed. 

But I've been loyal because of continued good experiences using taxact which they promote by importing previous return info. So I've been OK with paying when they require at least up till now. 

Yes of course they support state filings but as I use my Thai address I don't need that.

[Thailand J]

On 4/10/2024 at 12:22 PM, NoDisplayName said:

Taxact seems pretty useless for free filing if you can't file a Schedule B.

 

If still having problems, try this one:

https://www.olt.com/main/home/default.php

 

• Includes:
• Home ownership   Crypto or Stock Sale
  Rental Property    Freelance/gig worker
  Self-employed      Contractor

 

 

 

 

I don't have a US phone number.

OLT.com does not require a US phone number, I hope that won't change. I have not tried Taxact.

[watthong]

On 4/11/2024 at 11:37 AM, Jingthing said:

Many years ago I started using taxact because they accepted a foreign address while other big names didn't.

I reckon by now that other brands have changed. 

But I've been loyal because of continued good experiences using taxact which they promote by importing previous return info. So I've been OK with paying when they require at least up till now. 

Yes of course they support state filings but as I use my Thai address I don't need that.

 

Turns out I had used Taxact in 2016 (the yr Trump ehr, never mind.)
But subsequently abandoned their services due to the non-free filing issue...

Anyway, I'm going back to create new acct for this year (I have this week to do it so now more procrastination...) However having trouble filling in the phone number or rather inputting my Thai phone number preceeded by the country code (066). Any idea?

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, watthong said:

 

Turns out I had used Taxact in 2016 (the yr Trump ehr, never mind.)
But subsequently abandoned their services due to the non-free filing issue...

Anyway, I'm going back to create new acct for this year (I have this week to do it so now more procrastination...) However having trouble filling in the phone number or rather inputting my Thai phone number preceeded by the country code (066). Any idea?

Not sure.

If I gave them a number it was my US number.

Is a number actually required?

[watthong]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Not sure.

If I gave them a number it was my US number.

Is a number actually required?

 

Yes, for verification/

 

(I'm getting stuck same issue with Free File Fillable Forms from IRS. Just posted a thread there asking for help...)

https://aseannow.com/topic/1329473-phone-number-to-verify-new-acct-with-irs-free-file-fillable-forms/

[Jingthing]

10 minutes ago, watthong said:

 

Yes, for verification/

 

(I'm getting stuck same issue with Free File Fillable Forms from IRS. Just posted a thread there asking for help...)

https://aseannow.com/topic/1329473-phone-number-to-verify-new-acct-with-irs-free-file-fillable-forms/

For a new account?

I don't recall a phone verification.

Maybe an email one.

Good luck.

Edited June 11 by Jingthing

[watthong]

14 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

For a new account?

I don't recall a phone verification.

Maybe an email one.

Good luck.

 

Thanks,

[Thailand J]

OLT.com.

[watthong]

On 4/10/2024 at 12:22 PM, NoDisplayName said:

Taxact seems pretty useless for free filing if you can't file a Schedule B.

 

If still having problems, try this one:

https://www.olt.com/main/home/default.php

 

• Includes:
• Home ownership   Crypto or Stock Sale
  Rental Property    Freelance/gig worker
  Self-employed      Contractor

 

 

 

 

 

On 4/23/2024 at 7:09 AM, Thailand J said:

I don't have a US phone number.

OLT.com does not require a US phone number, I hope that won't change. I have not tried Taxact.

 

Just finished my fed return with OLT. My impression: slow as nail and tedious as myself. At times feels kinda decrepit, like you're on IV or something. In short perfect for seniors (not to mention the huge print!)  Filed half past noon and Fed  accepted return before 1pm. Hooray.
Thank you guys for the recommendation. Much appreciated.

 

Some lowdowns:
1)  For Fed it did 1040SR and Schedule B, plus SS benefits worksheet.
2) I didn't do State as I used my Thai address (kinda tricky to put it all in, info got chopped left and right you just have to edit till it looks good on the final form.)
3) No phone number "needed" in the sense that OLT did not do phone verification. Though it did ask for a phone number just in case for contact...

[Thailand J]

Get used to OLT.com.

Or file by mail, where phone number is also not " needed", only optional.