FileTax
FileTax.com is an IRS Authorized e-File Provider operating a direct-to-consumer online tax preparation platform serving individual taxpayers, freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners in the United States with DIY software, Done-for-You CPA services, tax extensions, and a monthly FileTax+ subscription since 2004.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What FileTax does
FileTax.com is a privately held, IRS Authorized e-File Provider offering an online tax preparation and filing platform founded in 2004 and headquartered in San Francisco. The company operates as a direct-to-consumer product, serving individual W-2 taxpayers, freelancers and gig workers, small business owners (sole proprietors, LLCs, S-Corps, partnerships), investors with brokerage or crypto activity, and remote workers facing multi-state obligations. The platform combines a product-led growth model with an adjacent professional services tier: customers can either self-serve through a guided question-based DIY filing flow or escalate to a Done-for-You CPA-prepared return for complex situations.
The underlying platform is a web-based application that interviews users, calculates federal and state liabilities, error-checks returns, and transmits them electronically to the IRS and state revenue agencies. Core product lines include DIY tax filing software, Done-for-You CPA preparation, personal / business / state tax extensions (Form 4868 and equivalents), the FileTax+ monthly subscription, IRS Shield audit and notice representation, and a 2024 Prep Plan advisory tool. Auxiliary free tools include a federal income tax calculator, an IRS penalty and interest calculator, downloadable IRS forms, and online tax courses. The company's technologies are positioned as regulatory-compliance and integration assets rather than proprietary algorithms: IRS e-file authorization, CERCA membership, and SSL encryption are the named differentiators.
Monetization rests on flat-fee DIY filings with state returns included, professional CPA services for complex returns priced above DIY, modest fees for extensions, and an undisclosed-priced monthly FileTax+ subscription bundling year-round access and IRS Shield protection. Customer acquisition is primarily SEO-driven through an extensive content library (blog, life-event guides, state-by-state resources), supplemented by earned media appearances on CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox, third-party verified Reviews.io ratings of 4.8/5 stars, and trust-signal merchandising (100% Accuracy Guarantee up to $10,000, Maximum Refund Guarantee). The company reports 1.5M+ lifetime account creations and hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers, operates with no disclosed external funding, and remains founder-led by CEO Geoff Knight with a distributed team across engineering, operations, customer service, and growth marketing.
FileTax firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FileTax
- Legal name
- FileTax.com
- Website
- https://filetax.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FileTax.com is an IRS Authorized e-File Provider operating a direct-to-consumer online tax preparation platform serving individual taxpayers, freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners in the United States with DIY software, Done-for-You CPA services, tax extensions, and a monthly FileTax+ subscription since 2004.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FileTax industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tax Preparation Software
- NAICS
- Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tax Planning & Personal Tax Optimization Tools (FSAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Revenue Systems, E-Filing & Digital Tax Administration (BPAIADAO)
Keywords
Where FileTax is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
FileTax business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- DIY Tax Filing (Federal & State): FileTax.com charges flat fees for federal and state tax return preparation and filing. State filing is included at no additional charge with federal filing. The company emphasizes transparent flat-fee pricing with no hidden charges, differentiating from competitors who may add fees for state returns or ancillary services.
- Done-For-You CPA Tax Preparation: For customers with more complex tax situations, FileTax.com offers done-for-you professional CPA preparation services where a tax professional prepares the customer's federal and state tax returns.
- Tax Extension Filing: FileTax.com charges a small fee for filing personal and business tax extensions, providing an additional six months to file. Extension filing is available for federal (Form 4868), business, and state extensions.
- FileTax+ Monthly Subscription: A monthly subscription plan (FileTax+) that provides year-round tax support, planning tools, on-demand expert assistance, and IRS Shield protection. This generates recurring subscription revenue from subscribers who want ongoing tax guidance beyond filing season.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DIY Tax Filing - Flat fee for federal and state tax preparation and filing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Done-For-You CPA Tax Preparation - Professional preparation for complex tax situations |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tax Extension Filing - Personal and business extension filing |
| Subscription | Monthly | FileTax+ Monthly Subscription - Year-round tax support, planning tools, and on-demand expert assistance |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
FileTax product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FileTax.com is a web-based, IRS Authorized e-File Provider that lets individual taxpayers and small business owners prepare, file, and extend federal and state tax returns online. It combines a self-service DIY tax software with a Done-For-You CPA preparation service, plus a FileTax+ monthly subscription for year-round planning, expert access, and IRS representation. State filing is included with federal filing at no extra cost, and the platform also supports personal, business, and state tax extension filings.
Product overview
FileTax.com is an IRS-authorized e-file provider offering a unified online tax filing platform with multiple service tiers. The core products include DIY Tax Filing Software for self-service tax preparation, Done-for-You CPA Tax Preparation for professionally prepared returns, and tax extension filing services for both personal and business returns across federal and state levels. The FileTax+ monthly subscription provides year-round access to tax experts and planning tools, while IRS Shield offers direct IRS representation. Free auxiliary tools include tax calculators, IRS forms access, and online educational courses. The platform serves individual taxpayers, freelancers, gig workers, small business owners, and investors with a flat-fee pricing model featuring no hidden charges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DIY Tax Filing Software Self-service tax preparation software that guides individual taxpayers and small business owners through a question-based interview to prepare and e-file federal and state income tax returns. State filing is included with federal filing at no extra cost. Targets W-2 filers, freelancers, gig workers, investors, and small business owners seeking a low-cost alternative to CPA services.
- Done-for-You CPA Tax Preparation Professional tax preparation service in which in-house certified public accountants prepare and file the customer's federal and state tax returns, suited for more complex situations such as self-employment, investments, and multi-state income. Priced as a one-time flat fee.
- Personal Tax Extension Online federal tax extension (Form 4868) filing service for individual taxpayers, granting an automatic six-month extension (until October 15) to file a personal return. Extension is submitted electronically to the IRS, typically within minutes.
- Business Tax Extension Tax extension filing service for business entities, including S corporations, partnerships, and LLCs that need additional time to file business returns (such as Form 7004). Filed electronically to the IRS.
- State Tax Extension State-level tax extension filing service covering all US states that impose an income tax, allowing filers to extend state returns in addition to the federal extension.
- FileTax+ Monthly Subscription Monthly subscription offering year-round access to tax support, planning tools, on-demand expert assistance, and IRS Shield protection, generating recurring revenue beyond the tax filing season.
- IRS Shield Add-on expert representation service in which FileTax's team reviews a customer's case and works directly with the IRS on their behalf, representing taxpayers in IRS disputes, notices, and audits.
- 2024 Prep Plan Personalized year-round tax planning tool that provides advice based on the user's financial situation to help them save money and prepare ahead of the next filing season.
Quantifiable outcome
- IRS issues most refunds within 21 days of e-filing with direct deposit
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use FileTax
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FileTax technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
FileTax partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FileTax competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- H&R Block: Major U.S. tax preparation services company offering DIY online software, in-person retail, and professional CPA services. Directly competes with FileTax.com across DIY, done-for-you, and small business segments.
- TurboTax: Flagship DIY tax preparation product of Intuit, dominating the consumer online tax filing market with guided interview software, e-filing, and professional services. Most direct competitor to FileTax.com's DIY tax filing offering for individual taxpayers.
- TaxAct: Online tax preparation software serving individual and business filers with guided interview workflows and e-filing. Closely comparable to FileTax.com in target market (price-conscious DIY filers) and product offering.
- eFile.com: IRS-authorized online tax preparation and e-filing service offering DIY software for federal and state returns. Closely comparable to FileTax.com in product offering and small-team profile.
- TaxSlayer: DIY and professional tax preparation software with flat-fee pricing tiers. Comparable to FileTax.com in targeting budget-conscious individual and small business filers with transparent pricing.
- FreeTaxUSA: Low-cost online tax preparation and e-filing service for U.S. individual filers. Directly comparable in flat-fee value proposition and DIY software approach to FileTax.com.
- Liberty Tax: Tax preparation service offering DIY online filing and professional preparation through franchise offices. Comparable to FileTax.com's multi-channel tax preparation model.
- Jackson Hewitt: U.S. tax preparation services company offering both DIY online software and in-person professional services through retail locations. Comparable across FileTax.com's DIY and done-for-you tiers.
Broad incumbents
- Drake Software: Established professional tax preparation software for CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax preparers. Broader incumbent serving the professional preparer segment that FileTax.com's Done-For-You CPA service also addresses.
Emerging players
- Keeper Tax: AI-powered tax filing app targeting freelancers and gig workers with automated expense and deduction discovery. Emerging competitor intersecting FileTax.com's freelancer/gig worker segment with novel AI-driven differentiation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FileTax social profiles
Digital presenceFileTax compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
FileTax financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FileTax leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
FileTax funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FileTax M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FileTax
What does FileTax do?
FileTax.com is a web-based, IRS Authorized e-File Provider that lets individual taxpayers and small business owners prepare, file, and extend federal and state tax returns online. It combines a self-service DIY tax software with a Done-For-You CPA preparation service, plus a FileTax+ monthly subscription for year-round planning, expert access, and IRS representation. State filing is included with federal filing at no extra cost, and the platform also supports personal, business, and state tax extension filings.
Is FileTax a public or private company?
FileTax is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was FileTax founded?
FileTax was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is FileTax based?
FileTax is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does FileTax make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. DIY Tax Filing (Federal & State) is the primary driver. The others are done-For-You CPA Tax Preparation, tax Extension Filing and fileTax+ Monthly Subscription.
Who are FileTax's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are H&R Block, TurboTax, TaxAct, eFile.com, TaxSlayer, FreeTaxUSA, Liberty Tax and Jackson Hewitt. Drake Software is listed as a broad incumbent. Keeper Tax is listed as an emerging player.
Does FileTax have an API?
No public API is recorded for FileTax.
What industry is FileTax in?
FileTax's product category is Tax Preparation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAGADAJ, Tax Planning & Personal Tax Optimization Tools, with a secondary code of BPAIADAO, Revenue Systems, E-Filing & Digital Tax Administration. Its NAICS code is 541211 and its SIC code is 7374.