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    Tax Filing Picks

    Free options first. TurboTax last.

    IRS Direct File

    FREE

    Brand new (2024). File federal return free with IRS itself. Available in 25+ states. Senior-friendly.

    Best free.

    IRS Free File

    FREE (income under $79K)

    Partnership with TurboTax, FreeTaxUSA, etc. Income-limited.

    Best free traditional.

    AARP Tax-Aide

    FREE in person

    IRS-certified volunteers. Free tax prep for seniors at libraries + community centers. No income limit.

    Best in-person.

    FreeTaxUSA

    $0 federal / $15 state

    Truly cheap. Handles complex returns. Direct File alternative.

    Best low-cost paid.

    TurboTax

    $60-200

    Most popular. Best UI. Costly creep — "upgrade!" prompts everywhere.

    Easiest UI.

    H&R Block

    $45-180

    Online OR in-person at any location. Audit support included.

    Best hybrid.

    AARP Tax-Aide — best for seniors

    • Free, in-person tax prep at 5,000+ US locations.
    • IRS-certified volunteers (most are retired CPAs/accountants).
    • NO age, income, or AARP membership requirement.
    • Handles federal + state.
    • Find at aarp.org/findtaxhelp — search by zip.
    • Open February through April. Schedule appointments.

    Senior tax breaks (often missed)

    • Higher standard deduction at 65+ — extra $1,950 (single) / $1,550 (married per spouse) in 2025.
    • Tax credit for elderly (Schedule R) — for low-income 65+.
    • Medical deduction — anything over 7.5% of income, including Medicare premiums and long-term care.
    • Charitable QCD — give from IRA directly to charity, skip the income.
    • State property tax breaks — most states give 65+ partial exemption. ASK your assessor.
    • Reverse mortgage interest — sometimes deductible.

    Documents to gather

    • SSA-1099 (Social Security).
    • 1099-R (pensions, IRA withdrawals).
    • 1099-INT, 1099-DIV (interest, dividends).
    • W-2 if still working.
    • 1099-MISC (any side income).
    • 1095-B or 1095-A (health insurance).
    • Property tax + mortgage interest if itemizing.
    • Medical expense totals + receipts.
    • Charitable donation receipts.

    Required IRA distributions

    If you're 73+ and have a traditional IRA — you MUST take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) each year. Penalty for missing is 25% of what you should have withdrawn. Brokerage usually calculates for you. Don't skip.