Prepare taxes backed by IRS legal authority
The only tax software that cites the exact IRC section, IRS Publication, or Revenue Procedure for every number on your return. Know exactly why every calculation is there.
Optional Records Vault: $29.99/year for secure cloud retention and instant prior-year retrieval.
6+ returns prepared on CirclesTax
100% Legal Authority Backed
Every calculation cites its IRC section
Bank-Level Security
TLS encryption, SSNs encrypted at rest (AES-256)
Done in 10 Minutes
Guided 10-step interview process
How it works
Three steps to an audit-proof return
Answer the interview
Walk through a guided process covering income, deductions, credits, and more. We handle the math.
Review with citations
Every calculated line shows the exact IRC section, IRS Publication, or Form Instruction that authorizes it.
Download your return
Generate a print-ready Form 1040 PDF plus a full audit defense report with citation chains.
Built for audit confidence
Every feature designed to give you certainty about your tax return
Citation Chain
Every calculated line links to its IRC section, Revenue Procedure, or IRS Publication. No black boxes, no mystery math.
Version-Tracked Rules
Tax rules versioned by year. Your 2025 return always cites 2025 rules, even when you look back years later.
Audit Defense Report
Generate a comprehensive PDF showing every tax position, its legal basis, and risk level. Ready for IRS review.
Risk Assessment
Each position rated conservative, moderate, or aggressive. Know your audit exposure before you file.
Form 1040 + All Schedules
Federal individual returns with Schedules A through SE. Wages, investments, self-employment, deductions, credits.
Document Vault
Upload W-2s, 1099s, and receipts. Link documents directly to the line items they support.
Simple, transparent pricing
Tax preparation is free. Pay only if you want cloud record retention or professional workflows.
Free
Prepare and print your return at no cost
- 1 federal return per year
- Form 1040 preparation
- Line-by-line IRS citations
- Print-ready PDF generation
- Download your records anytime
No filing fee from CirclesTax for preparing your federal return. Records Vault is optional and billed annually.
Learn Before You Prepare
Tax Software With IRS Citations
Understand how citation-backed tax prep reduces audit stress and improves confidence.
Self-Employed Tax Filing Guide
Schedule C, estimated tax, deductions, and documentation workflows for freelancers.
CirclesTax vs TurboTax
A practical feature comparison for filers who need transparent legal basis for numbers.
Schedule C Deductions List 2025
Every deduction available to self-employed filers, with IRS authority for each expense category.
How to Prepare Taxes for Free
Compare free tax preparation options: IRS Free File, Direct File, VITA, and CirclesTax.
Frequently asked questions
What makes CirclesTax different from TurboTax or H&R Block?
CirclesTax is the only tax preparation software that links every calculation directly to IRS legal authority. Every deduction, credit, and computation cites the specific IRC section, Revenue Procedure, or IRS Publication that authorizes it. Other software tells you what your refund is — we show you exactly why.
Can I prepare my taxes online for free?
Yes. CirclesTax offers free federal tax preparation for Form 1040 returns. Every plan, including the free tier, includes IRS legal authority citations for all calculations. No credit card required to start.
What is the $29.99/year Records Vault fee?
Records Vault is optional. Filing preparation and PDF generation remain free. The $29.99 annual fee covers secure cloud record retention, prior-year retrieval, and audit-ready exports if you want us to host your records for you.
What does 'audit-proof' mean?
Audit-proof means every line of your tax return includes a reference to the specific IRS legal authority that supports it. If the IRS questions any deduction or calculation, you have the exact IRC section, Revenue Procedure, or IRS Publication ready as documentation.
What tax forms does CirclesTax support?
CirclesTax supports Form 1040 (Individual Income Tax Return) with Schedules A through SE, covering itemized deductions, interest and dividends, business income, capital gains, supplemental income, and self-employment tax.
Does CirclesTax submit my return to the IRS?
CirclesTax generates print-ready PDF documents with full IRS citation chains. You print and mail your return or use it with a separate e-filing service. Direct IRS e-filing integration is coming soon.
How do I know my deductions are legally defensible?
CirclesTax automatically cites the IRS legal authority for every deduction you claim. Each line item shows the specific IRC section number, Revenue Procedure, or IRS Publication. Your audit defense report compiles all of these into a single document.