So if you have tax questions, Cash App Taxes isn’t the right choice. The benefit of going through the IRS Free File program is that they’re vetted by the IRS, and you’re less likely to be upsold to a paid version. It’s still possible based on your situation, but less likely.
IRS Free File is a partnership between the IRS and a nonprofit organization called Free File Inc. It lets certain people access free software from several tax-prep companies, including major brands such as TaxSlayer and TaxAct. The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships.
Situations not covered
If you are a resident of Quebec, the service only completes the federal tax return. You will still need to complete and submit a Quebec provincial tax return with Revenu Québec. A perk of TaxSlayer is that you can upload last year’s return and TaxSlayer will auto-fill your W-2 form to prevent reporting errors.
How to file your taxes for free this year
- And if you want to file your own taxes, TurboTax will guide you step by step so you can feel confident they’ll be done right.
- Unlike with other free tax preparation software, there are no upsells or hidden fees.
- This is offered free of charge through a third-party provider (Tax Protection Plus).
- When choosing a tax professional, it’s important to consider what services they offer, their experience, and their fees.
- The IRS partners with eight different companies to provide its Free File Program , which offers tax software to Americans whose adjusted gross income , or AGI, is $84,000 or less.
- The online tax preparation software partners are part of the Free File Alliance, which coordinates with the IRS to provide free electronic federal tax preparation and filing to you.
There is no paid option, so you never have to worry about being bumped up from a free to a “paid” version. Find the nearest free tax return preparation site using the AARP site locator tool. There are thousands of TCE site locations across the U.S. that can help you get your taxes prepared for free. Find the nearest free tax return preparation site using the VITA site locator tool. There are thousands of available locations across the U.S. that can help you get your taxes prepared for free.
In 2025, the IRS expanded its Direct File program into 25 states, with an estimated 30 million taxpayers eligible to use the system. If you filed with Credit Karma Tax last year, you can file even faster by importing your past returns from Credit Karma Tax. Whether you’re filing on your own, with expert help or handing off your taxes, we’ve got you covered. Our team of tax experts will help you understand your taxes and make sure you get the most out of your return.
Related tools and information
🔃Updated April 2025 with the latest providers in the IRS Free File program for 2025 – they increased the income limit to $84,000. We will also update the criteria for using their free filing services. We added a table to help you quickly scan who qualifies. We also updated the terms of the other free filing options for 2025. They want to get your loyalty as quickly as possible, so they offer free tax preparation now in the hopes you will continue with them when you are no longer eligible for the free product.
This means they result in a refund larger than the amount of tax you paid throughout the year. If you’re looking for ways to save time and money on your taxes, using a tax professional is a great option. They can save you both time and money, and they can make sure that your taxes are filed correctly and on time. If you have not paid for the online edition you are using, have not filed your tax return or registered the Free 100% free tax filing for simple returns only edition, then you can clear your return and start over with a lower priced edition. Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the program screen while working on the 2024 online tax return.
TURBOTAX ONLINE/MOBILE OFFERS & PRICING
Typically (but not always), these packages are well-suited for people who only have income from one job and aren’t itemizing deductions on their tax returns. If your tax situation is a little more complex, this might not be a solution for you. Below is an overview of the free packages for the four tax preparation providers that NerdWallet reviews.
But freelancers and gig economy workers may find IRS Free File more affordable than pricier services like TurboTax and H&R Block. Get the clarity you need and the value you want — $0 federal tax filing. About 44% of TaxAct filers qualified last year based on income and deductions. 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. If you’d like more tailored tax assistance than doing your taxes by hand or using tax software to prepare your taxes, a tax professional can help.
You’ll also want to take advantage of the CRA’s Auto-fill my return service, which lets you automatically fill in details from your CRA account into your return. This greatly reduces the time you’ll spend filling out forms manually – no thanks – and helps you import your information correctly. All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. With TurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish.
- When you are choosing a free product, read the fine print.
- We also updated the terms of the other free filing options for 2025.
- Check if you qualify for free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers.
- There’s also a maximum refund and accuracy guarantee, with TaxSlayer reimbursing you in the case of any penalties caused by mistakes by their software.
- This filing season, for the first time, this free and simplified digital option is available to invited individuals with a recent filing history.
- You don’t have to go through the IRS Free File to file your taxes for free.
So be sure to carefully read each product description to determine if you qualify. Prior year returns can only be filed electronically by registered tax preparers for the two previous tax years. The IRS does not allow electronic filing for prior year returns through self-preparation websites. You can also check the professional organizations many tax preparers belong to.
It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners. Filing your taxes for free may seem too good to be true. But tax software companies have other ways of making money when you file with them. Overall, H&R Block’s free version allows more IRS forms than TurboTax in 2025.