OpenTax
What OpenTax is
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 costs nothing, 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 suits
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 it does well
- 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.
Limits
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.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free forever | No upsells or paywalls · Every feature available to everyone | Free |
As opentax.evokelab.ai lists them, read 14 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- 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.
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.
Questions
How much does OpenTax cost?
The Free forever plan costs nothing, 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.
Facts from OpenTax's own pages
- Broker limitation
- Automated broker import is documented for Robinhood CSV and Fidelity PDF; Vanguard, Schwab and E*TRADE support is planned. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Company information
- The reviewed official pages do not state a legal company name, headquarters or founding year. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Correctness testing
- The trust center reports more than 2,300 automated tests, 20-plus IRS publications and 10 validated scenarios. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Data-loss risk
- Because data remains in the browser, clearing browser data or changing devices can erase progress. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Design objective
- The project design document describes a free-first, open-source filing assistant focused on auditability and explainable calculations. · github.com, 14 Oct 2026
- Deterministic engine
- The rules engine uses pure deterministic functions and stores monetary values as integer cents. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Developer API
- Developers can use TaxService directly in Node.js to create returns, compute results, and trace return lines. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 8 Oct 2026
- Disclaimer
- OpenTax says it is not affiliated with the IRS and is not tax advice. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 8 Oct 2026
- Document import
- Users can import W-2s, 1099s and broker statements, with OCR performed locally. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- E-filing limitation
- Electronic filing is unavailable; users must use IRS Free File or mail printed returns, with e-file listed as future work. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Explainability
- Computed values include links to source documents, IRS citations and intermediate calculation traces. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Federal forms
- The product supports Form 1040 and schedules including A, B, C, D, E and SE for tax year 2025. · github.com, 14 Oct 2026
- Filing output
- OpenTax generates IRS-ready PDFs to download, print, and mail; e-filing support is described as being on the roadmap. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 8 Oct 2026
- Guided interview
- The standalone workflow uses a 13-step interview covering income, deductions, credits and dependents. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Integration
- The OpenClaw plugin provides 16 tools, REST endpoints, and server-sent event streaming for compatible AI agents. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 8 Oct 2026
- Issue tracker
- The repository's GitHub issues page showed no open issues when opened. · github.com, 14 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository is distributed under the MIT License, allowing use, modification and redistribution subject to its notice. · github.com, 14 Oct 2026
- Local persistence
- Standalone return data is stored in browser IndexedDB and is not transmitted to a server. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Maker identity
- The public repository is owned by the GitHub account xavierliwei. · github.com, 14 Oct 2026
- Missing workflows
- Form 8606 basis allocation, Form 2210 underpayment safe-harbor analysis and Form 4868 extension filing are not currently prepared. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Multi-state limitation
- A return cannot contain filings for multiple states simultaneously. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Node API
- Developers can import the TaxService class directly in Node.js for return creation, data entry, computation and tracing. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The limitations page says multi-state returns are unsupported, and e-filing, farming income, foreign income reporting, and business returns are not covered. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 8 Oct 2026
- OCR limitation
- OCR accuracy varies with document quality, resolution and formatting, so extracted values require review. · opentax.evokelab.ai, 14 Oct 2026
Where OpenTax stands on Freedom251
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