OpenTax is open-source tax preparation software for individual filers, with calculations designed to show how return figures were produced. Its standalone app can import W-2s, 1099s, and broker statements, using OCR locally in the browser. It supports Tax Year 2025 federal returns and 42 state returns, computing federal and state amounts together. The software can generate IRS-ready PDFs to download, print, and mail; e-filing is on the roadmap. Each computed value can be followed back to source documents, IRS citations, and intermediate calculations. OpenTax is available on the web, as self-hosted software, and through an API. Developers can use TaxService in Node.js, while its OpenClaw plugin offers 16 tools, REST endpoints, and server-sent event streaming for compatible AI agents. The free plan is 0.00 USD per free, with no upsells or paywalls. OpenTax says it does not collect or transmit personal or tax data, and return data is stored in the user's browser IndexedDB. It is not tax advice and is not affiliated with the IRS.
Who it is for
OpenTax suits individual filers preparing a 2025 federal return or one supported state return who want to trace how figures were calculated. Developers and users of compatible AI agents can also use its API or OpenClaw integration.
What is good
- Imports W-2s, 1099s, and broker statements.
- Computes federal and state returns together.
- Traces values to documents, citations, and calculations.
- Free plan includes every feature.
- Return data stays in browser IndexedDB, per its policy.
What to know first
- Does not support business or prior-year returns.
- Multi-state returns are unsupported.
- E-filing is not yet available.
- Farming and foreign income reporting are not covered.
Verdict
OpenTax combines document import, traceable calculations, and downloadable PDFs for individual Tax Year 2025 returns. Check its stated limits carefully, and note that it does not provide tax advice.
Get started with OpenTax
- Visit the OpenTax website and choose the standalone web app, self-hosted option, or API path.
- For a personal return, prepare the supported Tax Year 2025 information and documents.
- Import W-2s, 1099s, or broker statements in the standalone app if applicable.
- Review computed values and trace them to source documents, citations, and calculations.
- Generate an IRS-ready PDF to download, print, and mail.
What the free plan stops at
OpenTax supports Tax Year 2025 individual returns. Multi-state, business, prior-year, farming-income, and foreign-income returns are unsupported; e-filing is on the roadmap rather than available filing support.
Questions about OpenTax
How much does OpenTax cost?
The Free forever plan is 0.00 USD per free, with no upsells or paywalls and every feature available to everyone.
Which returns does OpenTax support?
It supports individual Tax Year 2025 returns, with federal and 42 supported state returns computed together. It does not support multi-state, business, or prior-year returns.
Can OpenTax e-file a return?
OpenTax generates IRS-ready PDFs to download, print, and mail. E-filing is described as a roadmap item.
Which platforms and developer options are available?
Web, self-hosted, and API options are listed. Developers can use TaxService in Node.js, and the OpenClaw plugin provides 16 tools, REST endpoints, and server-sent event streaming for compatible AI agents.
How does OpenTax handle tax data?
Its privacy policy says OpenTax does not collect or transmit personal or tax data, and return data is stored in the user's browser IndexedDB.
Is OpenTax affiliated with the IRS or tax advice?
OpenTax says it is not affiliated with the IRS and is not tax advice.
OpenTax plans and pricing
All plansCompared on AI tax software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Taxpayer types
- personal
- AI tax guidance
- Yes
- Document import
- Yes
- Filing support
- both
