Snapshot of the source text at fetch time, not a live mirror of the policy page.
Plain-English summary
This document outlines various risks and responsibilities for users of the FreeTaxUSA website. You grant TaxHawk perpetual rights to your feedback without compensation, and their liability for any damages is severely limited. Your account can be terminated without notice, and you waive claims against TaxHawk if they cooperate with law enforcement. The service comes with no warranties, and TaxHawk doesn't guarantee security, leaving you responsible for any issues arising from downloaded materials. Purchases are generally final with no refunds for unfinalized returns or inability to e-file, and payment failures can lead to account suspension and additional fees. You are also solely responsible for your interactions with third-party sites and the accuracy of third-party translations, and the service does not provide tax advice.
90% confidence
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Risk Flags
6 findings
Critical issues and potential legal or financial risks.
Not clearly stated: The document does not clearly state the specific conditions or notice period for changes to the dispute resolution provisions that would not apply to disputes for which parties have actual notice before the change date. It also does not explicitly detail the process for resolving disagreements if a user believes a Coupon was unfairly modified, suspended, or discontinued. Specific procedures for contacting TaxHawk to address potential issues with AI-generated content or a definitive policy regarding how long tax return data and account information are retained after account closure or termination are not clearly outlined beyond stating it's
high95% confidence
User Content Becomes Property of TaxHawk
You grant TaxHawk a perpetual, worldwide, fully transferable, sublicensable, irrevocable, fully paid-up, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and incorporate your feedback, suggestions, and ideas in connection with their services and marketing materials, without any obligation to compensate you.
Why it matters: This means any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide regarding the Website or Products and Services can be used by TaxHawk without compensation, and you cannot revoke this right.
You grant TaxHawk a perpetual, worldwide, fully transferable, sublicensable, irrevocable, fully paid-up, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and incorporate your feedback, suggestions, and ideas in connection with the Website, the Products and Services, and TaxHawk's other products, services, and marketing materials, without any obligation to compensate you.
TaxHawk's total liability to you for matters relating to the Terms of Use or use of the Website/Products/Services is limited to the greater of the amount you paid for services in the preceding twelve months or $10.00. This limitation applies even if TaxHawk has been advised of potential damages.
Why it matters: If you suffer damages due to the use of the service, TaxHawk's liability is severely limited to a maximum of $10.00 or the amount you paid for services in the prior 12 months, which may not cover your actual losses.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE ENTIRE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF TAXHAWK AND ITS SUPPLIERS FOR ALL MATTERS OR CLAIMS RELATING TO THESE TERMS OF USE OR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR ANY OF THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID (YOUR PURCHASE PRICE) FOR SUCH PRODUCTS OR SERVICES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) TEN DOLLARS ($10.00).
Reliance on information posted, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence
Waiver of Claims Against TaxHawk for Law Enforcement Cooperation
You waive and hold TaxHawk and its affiliates harmless from any claims resulting from actions taken during, or as a consequence of, investigations by TaxHawk or law enforcement authorities, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
Why it matters: This means you give up your right to sue or hold TaxHawk responsible if they cooperate with law enforcement and disclose your information during an investigation, even if such cooperation causes you harm.
YOU WAIVE AND HOLD HARMLESS TAXHAWK AND ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSEES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FROM ANY CLAIMS RESULTING FROM ANY ACTION TAKEN BY ANY OF THE FOREGOING PARTIES DURING, OR TAKEN AS A CONSEQUENCE OF, INVESTIGATIONS BY EITHER SUCH PARTIES OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES.
Reliance on information posted, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence
Disclaimer of Warranties on Products and Services
The Website and all Products and Services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" with no warranties whatsoever, express or implied. TaxHawk explicitly disclaims all statutory warranties, including merchantability, accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement of proprietary rights.
Why it matters: You use the service at your own risk, with no guarantees about its quality, accuracy, fitness for any purpose, or that it won't infringe on third-party rights. This means you have very limited recourse if the service does not perform as expected or causes issues.
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THESE TERMS OF USE, THE WEBSITE, AND ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE WEBSITE AND ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ACCESSED THEREON ARE PROVIDED WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL STATUTORY WARRANTIES, ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, ACCURACY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS, WITH ALL SUCH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES BEING EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED BY TAXHAWK.
Reliance on information posted, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
medium85% confidence
No Guarantee of Security or Freedom from Issues
TaxHawk does not warrant that the products and services are secure, free from bugs, viruses, interruption, errors, theft, or destruction.
Why it matters: The service cannot guarantee your data or system security, and you bear the risk of potential issues like viruses, errors, theft, or service interruptions, which could impact your tax filing and personal information.
TAXHAWK DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE SECURE, FREE FROM BUGS, VIRUSES, INTERRUPTION, ERRORS, THEFT OR DESTRUCTION.
Reliance on information posted, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
medium85% confidence
User Responsibility for Material Downloaded from Website
Any material downloaded or obtained through the use of the products and services or through the website is done at your own risk and discretion, and you are solely responsible for any claims, including damages to your computer system or loss of data.
Why it matters: If downloading materials from the site causes damage to your computer or loss of data, you are fully responsible for these consequences, not TaxHawk.
YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OR THROUGH THE WEBSITE IS DONE SO AT YOUR OWN RISK AND AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND THAT YOU ARE AND SHALL ALWAYS REMAIN SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DAMAGES TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM DOWNLOADING OR OTHERWISE OBTAINING SUCH MATERIAL.
Reliance on information posted, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
Data Use and Privacy
3 findings
How your data is collected, used, and shared.
Not clearly stated: The document does not clearly state the specific data retention policies for tax return data and account information after termination or closure of an account, only that it will be retained
medium90% confidence
Consent to Data Processing in the United States
All information you provide through the Website is stored on servers located in the United States, and by using the Website you consent to the processing of your data in the United States.
Why it matters: Your data will be stored and processed in the United States, meaning it will be subject to US laws and regulations, which may differ from those in your own country.
All information you provide through the Website is stored on servers located in the United States, and by using the Website you consent to the processing of your data in the United States.
Monitoring of Community Forum Content and Disclosure of Information
TaxHawk has the right to monitor the Community Forum Website and to disclose any information as necessary or appropriate to satisfy any law, regulation, or other governmental request, to monitor security, detect unauthorized uses, and protect itself and its customers. TaxHawk will not intentionally monitor or disclose private electronic-mail messages submitted via the Community Forum Website unless required by law.
Why it matters: Your posts and activity on the community forum are subject to monitoring and disclosure to comply with legal requests or for security purposes, which means your communications may not remain private.
However, you acknowledge and agree that TaxHawk has the right to monitor the Community Forum Website and to disclose any information as necessary or appropriate to satisfy any law, regulation, or other governmental request, to monitor the security of the Community Forum Website and to detect unauthorized uses, and to protect itself and its customers. TaxHawk will not intentionally monitor or disclose any private electronic-mail message submitted via the Community Forum Website unless required by law.
All information posted in the community forum is public and accessible by anyone visiting the community forum page.
Why it matters: Any information you post in the community forum is public, meaning anyone can view it, which could expose personal details you did not intend to share widely.
All information posted in the community forum is public and accessible by anyone visiting the community forum page.
Terms related to account cancellation, subscription renewal, and associated refunds or fees.
Not clearly stated: The document does not clearly state if a user will receive a refund for paid services if their account is terminated due to a violation of the terms of use, beyond a general reference to
high90% confidence
No Refund for Unfinalized Returns or Inability to E-File
Any purchase of Products and Services is final regardless of whether or not you finalize the federal and/or state tax return. A taxpayer's inability to electronically file a federal or state return is not, by itself, grounds for a refund. Printed and bound copy orders will be canceled without refund if not finalized within 10 months of purchase.
Why it matters: You will not receive a refund even if you don't finalize your tax return or cannot electronically file it, and printed orders are canceled without refund if not finalized within 10 months. This means you could pay for a service you ultimately cannot use or complete.
Any purchase of Products and Services is final regardless of whether or not you finalize the federal and/or state tax return. A taxpayer's inability to electronically file a federal or state return (for example, where the IRS or a state requires a particular return type or circumstance to be paper filed, or because of identity/verification or other eligibility restrictions) is not, by itself, grounds for a refund where TaxHawk has provided the software and access as described at purchase. Printed and bound copy orders will only be fulfilled within 10 months of purchase; if you have not finalized your return within that period, we will cancel the shipment without refund.
Your account being suspended, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong
high90% confidence
No Refunds Unless Specific Conditions Met
All purchases are final unless TaxHawk has failed to provide access to the purchased Product or Service, charged you in error, or a refund is otherwise required by law.
Why it matters: You generally cannot get a refund for purchases unless TaxHawk made a mistake, meaning most purchases are non-refundable even if you change your mind or encounter personal issues that prevent use.
All purchases are final unless TaxHawk has failed to provide access to the purchased Product or Service, we charged you in error, or a refund is otherwise required by law.
Refunds, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
medium85% confidence
Account Termination if Terms of Use Violated
If your access or use of the Website or any Products and Services violates the Terms of Use, your rights to access and/or use will automatically terminate. TaxHawk has the right to prevent future use and cooperate with law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Why it matters: Violation of any term can lead to immediate and automatic termination of your access, with TaxHawk taking measures to prevent future use and potentially cooperating with law enforcement, which could result in significant personal consequences.
If your access of or use of the Website or any of the Products and Services violates the provisions of this section or any other section of these Terms of Use, your rights to access and/or use of the Website and any of the Products and Services offered thereon shall automatically terminate. In such event, TaxHawk shall have the right to take such actions as is necessary to prevent your future use and/or access to the Website and any of the Products and Services and may cooperate with any state, federal or other law enforcement and/or regulatory agency as TaxHawk deems appropriate to protect its own interests and/or the interests of other users and/or the public.
Terms of Use acceptance, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong
Gotchas
2 findings
Less-obvious clauses that could be problematic for users.
Not clearly stated: The document does not clearly state the process for addressing issues if AI-generated content provided by the service is inaccurate or incomplete. It also doesn't specify if the Pro Support or Audit Defense products offer specific tax advice, only that other products do not. The document also does not explicitly state what happens to any accrued benefits or unused credits from Coupons if they are modified, suspended, or discontinued without notice.
medium90% confidence
Disclaimer of Responsibility for Third-Party Websites/Services
Your use of, or dealings with, third-parties found on or through the Website are solely between you and such third-parties. TaxHawk is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or services from these third-party providers.
Why it matters: If you interact with third-party websites or services linked from TaxHawk, any issues or problems that arise are your responsibility, as TaxHawk disclaims all liability for these external services.
You agree that your use of, or business dealings with, third-parties that may be found on or throughout the Website are solely between you and such third-parties. TaxHawk is not and cannot be responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, services (including uptime and availability) or other materials on or available from such third-party providers.
No Tax Advice Provided (Except for Pro Support and Audit Defense)
With the exception of the Pro Support and Audit Defense products, neither the Website nor any of the other Products and Services are intended to provide specific tax advice to any individual. You are encouraged to consult your own legal and/or tax professionals or the IRS.
Why it matters: Unless you specifically purchase Pro Support or Audit Defense, the service does not provide personalized tax advice, meaning you are responsible for seeking professional guidance for specific tax questions.
With the exception of the Pro Support and Audit Defense products, neither the Website nor any of the other Products and Services are intended to provide specific tax advice to any individual. You are encouraged to consult your own legal and/or tax professionals or the IRS with any specific questions about your own tax return(s).
Terms of Use acceptance, paragraph 1 · Citation strength: strong
Protections
1 finding
Safeguards and benefits for users.
Not clearly stated: The document does not clearly state how users are protected if the
Protection95% confidence
Accuracy Guarantee for Tax Formulas and Calculations
TaxHawk offers an Accuracy Guarantee that the tax formulas and calculations accessed via the Products and Services are accurate and will produce results consistent with federal and state standards. If errors in formulas/calculations occur, TaxHawk will reimburse penalties and/or interest imposed by the IRS or state.
Why it helps: This clause protects you from financial penalties and interest charges if the tax software's calculations are incorrect, providing assurance that you won't be held liable for their computational mistakes.
However, TaxHawk does offer an Accuracy Guarantee that the tax formulas and calculations accessed via any of the Products and Services offered on the Website are accurate and will produce results consistent with federal and state standards for preparing and/or filing tax returns. In the event any of the formulas and/or calculations utilized in any of the Products and Services offered by TaxHawk are incorrect, then TaxHawk will reimburse you any penalties and/or interest imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and/or your state of residence to the extent that such are imposed as a result of any such erroneous formulas and/or calculations.
Account credentials and security, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong
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