How to File Your Federal Taxes for Free with IRS Free File

IRS Free File is a partnership between the IRS and several tax software companies that allows eligible taxpayers to prepare and file their federal income tax return at no cost. There are no hidden fees, no upgrade prompts, and no charges for filing. The process is to go to the IRS website, choose a participating software partner, and file completely free.

The income limit for guided Free File preparation is $79,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI). This covers the large majority of American taxpayers. If your income exceeds $79,000, there is still a free option — Free File Fillable Forms — but those do not guide you through the process and are better suited for people comfortable with tax forms.

To get started, go to irs.gov/freefile — type that address directly into your browser. Do not search for "free tax filing" in a search engine, because paid companies spend heavily on advertising to appear at the top of search results even though they are not actually free for most people. Going directly to irs.gov/freefile ensures you reach the legitimate government program.

On the IRS Free File page, you will see a list of participating software partners with their eligibility requirements. Some have age restrictions or state filing limitations, so compare a few options to find the best fit. Common partners include TaxSlayer, FreeTaxUSA, and others. Click "Use Free Guided Tax Prep" to see which partners you qualify for.

Before you begin, gather your documents: all W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms for any other income (retirement, freelance, interest), your Social Security number and those of any dependents, and last year's tax return (for your prior-year AGI, which some systems use to verify your identity).

The software walks you through the process step by step, asking you questions and filling in the appropriate forms based on your answers. When you are finished, you review everything and then e-file directly to the IRS — no printing, no mailing, no postage.

If you are owed a refund, choosing Direct Deposit gets your money back faster — typically within 10 to 21 days. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number (found on the bottom of a check).

After filing, track your refund at irs.gov/refunds using the "Where's My Refund?" tool.

IRS Direct File is an even simpler option now available in many states. It is built and run directly by the IRS (no third-party partner), and it handles straightforward returns — W-2 income, standard deduction, basic credits. Check irs.gov/directfile to see if your state is eligible.