SelfTax review
A privacy-focused federal tax tool for DIY filers who value local processing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
SelfTax is open-source tax preparation software for individuals filing U.S. federal returns. It is designed for DIY filers who want to import common tax documents, review extracted information, and complete supported filing workflows without sending all document content directly to an external AI service. The Chrome extension imports W-2, 1099, K-1, rental, and brokerage documents, then extracts structured IRS form data locally in the browser.
Privacy and calculation design are the product's clearest differentiators. SelfTax redacts names, Social Security numbers, addresses, and account numbers before AI processing, while its core return calculations use deterministic tax logic rather than an LLM. AI is used to parse unstructured tax documents, with Anthropic Claude API listed as an integration. Optional local HTTP and MCP servers extend how the software can fit into a local workflow. These choices make SelfTax a focused option for filers who care about document handling and want calculations that can be audited rather than generated through conversational guidance.
Its coverage is narrower than a full-service tax platform. SelfTax supports selected deductions, credits, rental income, and capital-loss carryovers, and it auto-fills supported IRS Free File sites. Filing support is for federal returns, and the product does not provide AI tax guidance. The open-source, free model suits individuals comfortable reviewing their own tax information and working within supported forms and deductions. Filers who need broader filing coverage, more extensive guided advice, or a wider platform experience should choose an alternative. For privacy-focused DIY U.S. federal filers with compatible documents, SelfTax offers a clearly defined, locally oriented approach.
SelfTax pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Processes structured tax data locally in the browser
- Redacts sensitive information before external AI processing
- Calculates returns with deterministic, auditable tax logic
- Where it doesn't
- Supports federal filing rather than broader return coverage
- Does not provide AI tax guidance
- Runs primarily as a Chrome extension
SelfTax fact sheet, pricing and score →
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