You can file your federal tax return online for free through the IRS Free File program, which offers guided tax software at no cost if your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less. Even if you earn more than that, the IRS provides Free File Fillable Forms that anyone can use regardless of income. Here’s how each option works and what you need to get started.
IRS Free File: Guided Software
The IRS partners with several private tax software companies to offer free guided preparation through its Free File program. To qualify, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be $89,000 or less. Each partner company sets additional eligibility rules based on factors like age and state residency, so the specific software available to you depends on your situation.
To access these options, go to irs.gov/freefile and use the “Find your trusted partner” tool. You’ll answer a few questions about your income, age, and state, and the site will show which providers you qualify for. The guided software walks you through your return with an interview-style format, similar to what you’d get with paid versions of TurboTax or H&R Block. Some partners also include a free state tax return, but not all of them, so check before you start.
If you’re active-duty military, you qualify for at least one Free File partner regardless of income level.
Free File Fillable Forms
If your AGI is above $89,000, or you simply prefer a no-frills approach, Free File Fillable Forms are available to anyone at any income level. These are electronic versions of paper IRS forms that you fill out yourself and e-file directly. The program does basic math for you but provides no guidance, no interview questions, and no error-checking beyond what the form requires.
This option works best if you already know which forms and schedules you need. It does have limitations worth knowing about. You cannot attach documents that aren’t built into the program, so if your situation requires supplemental statements, you may need to use a different filing method. Certain forms aren’t supported at all, including Form 1040-SR (the senior return), Form 1098-C for donated vehicles worth $500 or more, and some provisions of Form 8889 for health savings accounts. If any of these apply, you’ll need either guided software or a different e-file provider.
IRS Direct File Is No Longer Available
The IRS previously offered Direct File, a government-built tool that let taxpayers in select states file directly with the IRS. That program has been shut down. The IRS told states that Direct File will not be available going forward, and taxpayers who previously used it can no longer access their returns through the platform. If you used Direct File in a prior year, you’ll need to choose one of the other free options described here.
Free Commercial Tax Software
Outside the IRS Free File program, several major tax software companies offer their own free tiers. These typically cover simple returns: W-2 income, the standard deduction, and basic credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. Once your return involves freelance income (Schedule C), rental income, itemized deductions, or stock sales, most free tiers will try to upgrade you to a paid version.
Watch for two things. First, the federal return may be free but the state return often costs $30 to $60. Second, “free” sometimes means free to prepare but not free to file. Read the terms before you enter all your information. The IRS Free File partners, by contrast, are genuinely free for both preparation and federal e-filing if you meet the income threshold.
Free In-Person Help Through VITA and TCE
If you’d rather have someone prepare your return for you at no cost, two IRS-sponsored programs offer that. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax help to people who generally make $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program serves people age 60 and older, with a focus on pension and retirement questions.
Both programs are staffed by IRS-certified volunteers at community centers, libraries, and other local sites. You can find locations near you using the VITA/TCE locator tool on irs.gov. These volunteers will prepare and e-file your return for free, which combines the benefit of professional help with no cost.
Documents You Need Before You Start
Whichever method you choose, gather these before you sit down to file:
- Identity and personal info: Social Security numbers (or ITINs) for you, your spouse, and any dependents. Your bank account and routing numbers if you want your refund via direct deposit.
- Prior-year return details: Your adjusted gross income and exact refund amount from last year’s return. If you e-filed, your self-select PIN. If the IRS issued you an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), have that ready too.
- Income documents: W-2s from employers, 1099-NEC forms for freelance work, 1099-INT for bank interest, 1099-DIV for dividends, 1099-R for retirement distributions, 1099-K for payment app or marketplace income, 1099-G for unemployment benefits, SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits, and W-2G for gambling winnings. If you had digital asset transactions and didn’t receive a form, bring your own records.
- Deduction and credit records: Childcare expenses, student loan interest, tuition receipts, charitable donation records, mortgage interest and property tax statements, health savings account contributions, and retirement contributions.
- Self-employment records: Bank and payment app statements, mileage logs, receipts for business expenses, home office costs, and records of any estimated tax payments you made during the year.
Having everything in front of you before you begin prevents the most common source of frustration: getting halfway through a return and realizing you’re missing a form. Most employers and financial institutions make these documents available online by late January.
How to Choose the Right Free Option
If your AGI is $89,000 or less and you want step-by-step guidance, start with IRS Free File’s guided software at irs.gov/freefile. It’s the most complete free option and covers a wide range of tax situations including self-employment income, itemized deductions, and investment gains, depending on which partner you’re matched with.
If your income is above that threshold and your return is straightforward enough that you’re comfortable filling out forms yourself, Free File Fillable Forms will get the job done at no cost. If you’d rather have a real person handle it and you meet the income or age requirements, look into VITA or TCE sites in your area. All of these options let you e-file your federal return and, in most cases, get your refund within 21 days if you choose direct deposit.