File Your Taxes for Free Through IRS “Free File”

January 24, 2018

Want to save time and money? You can by using one of the Free File tax prep products on the Internal Revenue Service’s Free File website (IRS.gov/freefile).

A dozen brand-name Free File partners offer their tax prep software free to eligible taxpayers. Each partner sets its own criteria, but any taxpayer earning $66,000 or less will find one or more software products at IRS.gov/freefile.

Free File is for federal returns, but most of the companies also offer state tax return preparation. Some offer state tax return preparation for free.

For taxpayers who earn more than $66,000, the IRS offers Free File Fillable Forms on the same website. These forms are best for taxpayers who are experienced in preparing returns by hand and with little assistance.

The IRS reminds taxpayers to prepare and file their returns only when they have all the tax documents they need to support their claims on income, credits and deductions. Taxpayers who use a final pay stub instead of a Form W-2 could end up with errors on their returns. The IRS also reminds taxpayers that if their refund includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS by law must hold that refund until mid-February.

Need Help?

Learn more about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and other ways to get help filing your taxes on our Tax Filing Help page.

Free File flier about how it works

Updated: Aug 28, 2019