Find Out How to File Your Tax Return for Free

26 Jun Find Out How to File Your Tax Return for Free

Find a free tax preparation site near you using our VITA location finder. We save your info automatically, so you can switch devices and pick up right where you left off. You can even file your taxes entirely from your phone with our mobile app.

Getting started with free taxes is easy

According to TurboTax, about 37% of filers qualify to use its basic tier for free. Tax software companies do a great job of simplifying the filing process, offering guided assistance and the ability to upload tax documents and previous years’ returns. Many offer free tiers for simple returns, though they typically have limited features and support. Some programs are offered directly by the government, while others are through partnerships with top tax software companies or sponsored by nonprofit organizations. Generally, the income limit to qualify for free tax help is $67,000.

• Only residents in 25 states with simple returns can submit electronically with IRS Direct File.
• I was happy to see that this year TurboTax makes it much clearer for customers, as they fill out their return, whether they have to pay to use its service.
• The IRS Free File program is a fast, safe and free way to do your federal tax return online.
• Many community groups, nonprofit organizations, and volunteer programs offer income tax filing assistance at low or no cost for individuals and families.

There are several ways to file your taxes for free this year. IRS Free File and the free versions of popular tax prep programs are just a few options to explore. While IRS Free File has an income cutoff, anyone can use Free File Fillable Forms. Fillable Forms don’t include guided preparation, so taxpayers need to be comfortable completing their own tax forms.

Meet with an expert at one of our hundreds of locations. They’ll help with everything from answering your questions to filing your return. Hand off your taxes to an expert matched to your unique needs, who will get to know you and your tax situation.

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• If you made other errors, you may want to file an amended return.
• FreeTaxUSA just doesn’t have the polished interface and support features of top tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block , but it does a good job of providing contextual help to answer common tax questions.
• Some VITA sites offer CAA service to taxpayers along with their VITA program.
• Unlike with most commercial tax service providers, you can’t claim the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit with its free tier.
• After selecting one of the IRS File offers, you will leave IRS.gov website.

Whether you file yourself or get expert help, you’ll get your maximum refund guaranteed, or your money back. We offer free one-on-one audit guidance year-round from our experienced and knowledgeable tax staff. We’ll let free tax filing service andsupport you know what to expect and how to prepare in the unlikely event you receive an audit letter from the IRS.

Taxes done right

For most states, the deadline to file was April 15, 2025, at midnight local time. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not collect state income taxes. If you don’t have the money to pay your tax bill, you can ask the IRS for a short-term extension of up to 120 days or request a payment plan that will allow you to spread out the debt over months or years. You may also apply for an offer in compromise, but the odds of approval are not good. If you can prove financial hardship, you may be able to qualify for “currently not collectible status” and avoid having to pay until your circumstances improve.

Tax tools

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. Here is a list of our partners and here’s how we make money. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. IRS Free File Program offers the most commonly filed forms.

You also can’t itemize deductions or report additional income, like capital gains or money from gig work or rental properties. Filing your taxes for free can seem too good to be true, but there are several options it pays to know about — many of which are available until the October extension deadline. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Your tax expert will do your taxes for you as soon as today—no waiting and wondering when your taxes will be done. Danni Santana spent nine years as an editor and business journalist covering industries including sports, retail, restaurants, and personal finance.He is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. His biggest loves outside of the newsroom are running, cooking, playing video games and collecting sneakers.

As Tax season winds down, don’t forget to take advantage of the City’s free tax assistance services. For more information about how to access the free tax assistance program, Chicagoans can call 311 or visit Don’t worry about paying taxes on the entire amount reported on Form 1099-K. You can claim your expenses directly related to your business, lowering your income reported on Form 1099-K.

Your income must be below a certain threshold to qualify, and you must have a valid copy of your Social Security card or taxpayer identification number to be eligible. Overall, H&R Block’s free version allows more IRS forms than TurboTax in 2025. The full list of IRS forms supported by Free Online can be found in this PDF list from H&R Block . Be sure to check that your tax situation qualifies you to file for free. In addition to the free fillable forms, the IRS offers Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), aimed at people who make $67,000 or less, have disabilities or have limited ability to speak English. Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped more than 80 million taxpayers fill out their returns.

IRS Free File participants

Taxpayers can even import certain data from their IRS account. Check out this fact sheet to learn who can use Direct File. Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped over 82 million taxpayers receive all the credits and deductions they’re entitled to.