“FREE” is one of my favorite words. What’s better than getting something you want for nothing? You can’t go wrong!

But many times a “FREE” offer is misleading. [This gets better. I promise!] 8)

When you get a FREE offer, your first reaction (if you are older than 6 ) is probably, “What’s the catch?”

Consider these the details of the FREE and Not-So-Free Tax Prep offers from other Tax Sites include:

  • Omissions  No State or City income tax returns.
  • Limitations  Missing city taxes or other forms that you need. Only 1 state. Sometimes you need more.
  • Constraints Nothing harder than an EZ return. Also, your income must be in a certain range to get their “Deal.” This is discrimination based on income! 
  • Conditions Need a coupon or must buy something else first such as other software. Also, can’t try before you pay.
  • Additional costs Extra cost for state taxes, e-filing the government’s copy, printing a copy for you, filing for an extension, more complicated taxes like when you file as a married couple instead of 2 single persons or you have a business, sold stock, receive Social Security, etc. The large number of exceptions mean that nearly everyone will be paying more than FREE, sometimes a LOT more at the end.

You get the idea. Many times FREE really isn’t. But sometimes, (infrequently), the planets align and what is offered for FREE, even considering all of the omissions, constraints, conditions, and additional costs is actually FREE (rarely) or at least acceptable for our purposes at a particular time.

We always hope for that. And that’s why we are so attracted to FREE! But free isn’t always the best deal.