English is not my first language. Sometimes, especially when I try to write a complex and long idea, I use LLMs to correct my errors, syntax, etc. In those cases, even if the idea remains the same, the text ends up looking LLM generated, since the correction applies its own "robotic style." This is even more noticeable if you ask chatgpt to translate it from another language.
(I'm not the author of the post, just mentioning it since it will probably become harder to detect such cases.)
I used FreeTaxUSA this year to file and was happy with them except for a pretty dark pattern.
If you google "FreeTaxUSA" and log-in that way, it'll change your free-file account to a paid account and there is no way to change it back. To free-file with them, you need to always log in using the special IRS link.
I thought this was pretty annoying, especially as there's no way for customer service to change it back. Their recommendation was to make a new account and re-enter all my tax info.
There are 2 parts to tax returns in the US: the Federal File and the State File (though, not all states require you to file taxes). With FreeTaxUSA The Federal File is always free. The State File is $15 unless you make under a certain amount and use the IRS link to get to the website.
This IRS link issue is something I've noticed with TurboTax and TaxSlayer in the past. They hide their free file (even the Federal File) from users unless they use the IRS link.
That's weird, I've never used the IRS link and it always left me on the Free path. I'm not low enough income or with simple enough returns to qualify for the free filing that TurboTax used to offer either.