Filing Taxes Free.

Don't pay for what's free

An estimated 14 million Americans paid for tax prep last year when they qualified to file for free. For a simple return — a W-2 job, maybe some 1099 income, the usual credits — paying a storefront preparer is money straight out of your refund. And those "refund now" / "instant refund" loans? They're short-term loans against your own money, with fees that eat a chunk of what's yours. Skip both. File free and take direct deposit — it's the fastest way to get your refund, at no cost.

Free in-person help (VITA & AARP)

IRS-certified volunteers will prepare and file your return for free, and every return is quality-checked before it's sent:

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) — free for households making roughly $67,000 or less, people with disabilities, and those with limited English. They handle W-2 income, the EITC, the Child Tax Credit, education credits, and basic self-employment. Sites are at libraries, community centers, and schools. Find one at IRS.gov/VITA or call 800-906-9887 (help in many languages).
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide — free for anyone 50+ (no AARP membership needed, no income cap), focused on retirement and Social Security income. Thousands of walk-in sites; locator at 888-227-7669.

Free software

• IRS Free File — free guided software if your income (AGI) was $89,000 or less. Eight companies partner with the IRS. Start at IRS.gov/freefile — if you go straight to a company's own website instead, you'll likely land on a paid product. Note: TurboTax and H&R Block are no longer part of it. Some partners include free state filing too.
• Free File Fillable Forms — if you made over $89,000, this is the free electronic 1040 (you do your own math, no hand-holding).
• Cash App Taxes — free for all return types with no income limit, if you want a simple app option.
• MilTax (Military OneSource) — free for military families, federal plus a few states, no income limit.

What to bring

Gather these before you sit down — having them ready is half the battle:

• Photo ID for you (and your spouse, if filing jointly).
• Social Security numbers (or ITINs) for everyone on the return — you, spouse, and every dependent.
• All your income forms — every W-2 from every job, and any 1099s (1099-NEC for freelance/gig, 1099-G for unemployment, 1099-R for retirement, etc.).
• Last year's return (or your 2024 AGI) — needed to e-sign this year's.
• Form 1095-A if you had marketplace health insurance.
• Your bank account and routing number for direct-deposit of the refund.

Claim the credits you've earned

For working families, the credits are often worth more than the refund of what you paid in. Make sure they're claimed:

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — a major credit for low-to-moderate-income workers, especially with kids. It's refundable, meaning it can pay you even if you owe nothing.
• Child Tax Credit — up to $2,200 per qualifying child for 2025.

VITA volunteers and the free software both check for these automatically — another reason not to pay someone who might charge extra for "finding" them.

The move

Gather your forms → if you want a person, find a free VITA or AARP site (IRS.gov/VITA, 800-906-9887); if you'd rather DIY and made under $89k, start at IRS.gov/freefile → claim your EITC and Child Tax Credit → take direct deposit → file by April 15. Keep the few hundred dollars a preparer would've charged. That's real money back in your pocket, every single year.

Running a business or side hustle? Your filing gets a little more involved — the Business Taxes module breaks down self-employment tax, deductions, and quarterly payments.

Note: General educational information for the 2026 filing season (2025 returns); income limits, credits, and programs change each year. Confirm current details at IRS.gov. For complex situations — multiple businesses, rentals, IRS notices, back taxes — a qualified tax professional is worth it.