Image: GettyImages-2149119319Tax refunds are playing a bigger role in American household budgets than ever before. With 70% of people using their refund for everyday expenses and 91% saying it’s important to get that money quickly, both how you file and how much of your refund you keep matter more than ever.
Free Credit Karma Tax gives Credit Karma members a way to file their federal return at no cost. Here’s what you need to know.
How Free Credit Karma Tax Works
Free Credit Karma Tax is designed to make filing simple. It walks you through your return with guided prompts, automatically saves your progress as you go, and lets you pick up where you left off at any time. All you need is a Credit Karma account to get started, or you can create one for free when you begin filing at freecreditkarmatax.com.
For step-by-step instructions, visit our Free Credit Karma Tax support page.
What You Get With Free Credit Karma Tax
When you file with Free Credit Karma Tax, here’s what’s included:
- Federal Filing: Free.
- State Filing: $15 per state return.
- All Tax Forms: Every form is included at no additional charge. Whether you have a simple W-2 or a more complex return with multiple income sources, the federal filing stays free.
- Max Refund Guarantee¹: If you file an amended return using another tax preparation method and get a larger refund, you’ll receive $30.
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee²: If a calculation error leads to an IRS penalty or interest charge, Free Credit Karma Tax covers those costs.
- Early Refund Access: Get your refund up to 5 days early for free when deposited into a Credit Karma Money™ account,⁴ or with your own bank for a fee.⁵
- Optional Expert Support: PLUS Bundle ($29) includes access to product support specialists and Annual Audit Defense.³ Expert Final Review ($39) provides a professional review before you file. Both can be paid using your refund.⁶
Get Your Money Faster
If you’re counting on your refund to cover expenses, waiting weeks for the IRS to process your return can make a real difference when bills are due. Free Credit Karma Tax gives you two options to access your refund up to 5 days early:
- If you have a Credit Karma Money™ account, up to 5 days early access is free.⁴
- If you prefer to use your own bank account, up to 5 days early access is available for a $35 fee.⁵
File Your Federal Return for Free
When your refund is helping cover rent, groceries, and bills, filing your taxes shouldn’t add another expense to worry about. Free Credit Karma Tax is designed with that reality in mind.
The tax deadline is coming up fast. Don’t wait — visit freecreditkarmatax.com to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Free Credit Karma Tax really free?
Yes. Federal filing is free for all Credit Karma members. State returns cost $15 per state. There are no hidden fees and all forms are included.
Do I need to be a Credit Karma member to use Free Credit Karma Tax?
Yes, you need a Credit Karma account to access Free Credit Karma Tax. Creating an account is free.
How do I add expert support to my filing?
While filing, click the “Get Support” button in the top navigation to add PLUS or Expert Final Review. PLUS includes access to product support specialists, and Expert Final Review provides a professional review before you file. You can pay for these services using your refund.⁶
Do I need a Credit Karma Money account to get my refund early?
No. You can get your refund up to 5 days early deposited into any bank account for a fee.⁵ If you have a Credit Karma Money account, it is free.⁴
Is Free Credit Karma Tax a legitimate Credit Karma product?
Yes. Free Credit Karma Tax is an official Credit Karma product.
Disclosures
Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. For more information about Intuit Payments’ money transmission licenses, please visit https://www.intuit.com/legal/licenses/payment-licenses/.
Free Credit Karma Tax is powered by TurboTax technology.
¹ If you get a larger refund or smaller tax due from another tax preparation method by filing an amended return, we’ll refund the applicable TurboTax federal and/or state purchase price paid. (Free Credit Karma Tax customers are entitled to payment of $30.) This guarantee is good for the lifetime of your individual tax return, which Intuit defines as seven years from the date you filed it with Free Credit Karma Tax. Additional terms and limitations apply. See TurboTax Terms of Service for details.
² If you pay an IRS or state penalty or interest because of a Free Credit Karma Tax calculation error, we’ll pay you the penalty and interest. You are responsible for paying any additional tax liability you may owe. Excludes payment plans. This guarantee is good for the lifetime of your individual or business tax return, which Intuit defines as seven years from the date you filed it with Free Credit Karma Tax. Additional terms and limitations apply. See TurboTax Terms of Service for details.
³ Terms apply.
⁴ Up to 5 Days Early in a Credit Karma Money account: To be eligible, you don’t need to file your taxes with a particular tax prep service. However, you will not be eligible if you choose to pay your tax preparation fee using your federal tax refund or choose to take a Refund Advance loan. 5-day early program may change or discontinue at any time. Up to 5 days early access to your federal tax refund is compared to standard tax refund electronic deposit and is dependent on and subject to IRS submitting refund information to the bank before release date. IRS may not submit refund information early. Credit Karma is not a bank. Banking services for Credit Karma Money accounts provided by MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC. Maximum balance and transfer limits apply per account.
⁵ Up to 5 Days Early to Your Bank Account: Personal taxes only. Your federal tax refund will be deposited to your selected bank account up to 5 days before the refund settlement date provided by the IRS (the date your refund would have arrived if sent from the IRS directly). The receipt of your refund 5 Days Early is subject to IRS submitting refund information to us at least 5 days before the refund settlement date. IRS does not always provide refund settlement information early. You will not be eligible to receive your refund up to 5 Days Early if (1) you take a Refund Advance loan, (2) IRS delays payment of your refund, or (3) your bank’s policies do not allow for same-day payment processing. Up to 5 Days Early fee will be deducted directly from your refund prior to being deposited to your bank account. If your refund cannot be delivered at least 1 day early, you will not be charged the Up to 5 Days Early fee. Up to 5 Days Early program may change or be discontinued at any time.
⁶ If you choose to pay your fees with Free Credit Karma Tax using your federal tax refund, you will not be eligible to receive your refund up to 5 days early in a Credit Karma Money account.