Print before file

Cootie
Cootie Member Posts: 2 Newcomer
edited April 14 in Filing my taxes

I like to make interim printouts of my return to compare to prior year's submitted return as a preliminary check. After I convince myself that the new return is accurate, I efile and then print the return as submitted. Are preliminary printouts possible in FreeTaxUSA? I file federal taxes only.

Best Answer

  • KristineS
    KristineS FreeTaxUSA Agent Posts: 263 image
    Answer ✓

    Hi Cootie,

    Thanks for writing in with your question.

    Currently, our 2024 software will not allow you to print out a final copy, since we are still working on finalizing 2024 forms with the IRS.  If you're referring to a printing out a preliminary copy of your 2024 tax return, you won't be able to print out a preliminary copy until January 2025, when we release the full version and the IRS is ready for e-file.  

    On the summary page, you can view a summary of your tax return for comparison to prior years. 

Answers

  • Cootie
    Cootie Member Posts: 2 Newcomer

    Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

  • PackRat
    PackRat Member Posts: 1 Newcomer

    It is now February and I would like to print a copy of my returns before I file so I can physically look them over. Something I can hand my disabled wife to look over also. If I file, then find a mistake then I am ****. How do I print before I file? If you are concerned about "something" put a large watermark "DRAFT" on the pages. Thanks

  • innominate
    innominate Member Posts: 1 Newcomer

    I also dont see anyway to print the return and worksheets without actually filing.

  • TriciaD
    TriciaD FreeTaxUSA Agent Posts: 35 image

    Hello innominate,

    You can view or print an unofficial copy of your returns before submitting them for review. View/print the federal return under the Summary menu and selecting View at the very bottom of the page. You can also view/print both the federal and state return by going to Final Steps > Review Tax Return.

    The official copy of the tax return is only available without a watermark after submitting your returns. This is to avoid submitting a return to be mailed or printing a copy with information that may have changed before filing. If you have further questions please sign into your account and contact Customer Support. They will be happy to help you further.

  • lkstaack
    lkstaack Member Posts: 1 Newcomer

    It's unfortunate that FreeTax insists on using a watermark on "unofficial" tax forms. I'm a new user, old guy and must see official documents on paper before I'm satisfied. So, I guess I'll have to print them before I electronically send it for review, and then print it again after I send it for my records. RIP trees.

  • Vjderose
    Vjderose Member Posts: 2 Newcomer

    Hello TriciaD,

    It appears that I cannot get to "Final Steps-Step 2 Review Tax Return" to print a preliminary CA state return without paying for the state return first in Step 1. Am I missing something? I'm not opposed to paying FreeTax because I want to file with them. But I still have a huge discrepancy between my FreeTax outcome and preliminary TT outcome that I would like to resolve before paying.

    I was able to print the "CA Tax Summary" list so I'll try using that for comparing the two returns for now.

    Thank you,

    Jim

  • Vjderose
    Vjderose Member Posts: 2 Newcomer

    My mistake, I logged in with the wrong Username. The completed return is still there, sorry to waste your time.

    Jim

  • Mike952
    Mike952 Member Posts: 1 Newcomer

    Sorry to jump into this discussion. Long time TurboTax (TT) user seeking a better alternative. I've run my 2024 numbers through FreeTaxUSA (FTU) and confirmed equivalence to TT. I would like to print both Federal and State FTU returns for my records. However, FTU requires me to declare a payment method first. Clearly, I do not want to (re)submit my 2024 return. Is there a mechanism to print (perhaps a preliminary Federal and State) return without providing credit card information. I don't really care about the watermark.

  • CoryF
    CoryF FreeTaxUSA Agent Posts: 218 image
    Hello, Mike

    We are here to help the community. You are able to view a full Federal tax return (with the watermark) by visiting the Summary tab and scrolling to the bottom where there is a link to "View" the return. You can download that file and/or print from the view link.

    However, you are unable to view your state return until you pay the fees in the Final Steps. Filling out the state forms with data from the federal screens is a product for which FreeTaxUSA does profit. Please consider using our system to complete your future tax returns.