www.irs.gov/freefile is a tax filing service that provides free online tax preparation and filing. It is designed to help eligible U.S. taxpayers prepare and e-file federal income tax returns for free.
Eligibility: For the 2024 tax filing season, individuals with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $79,000 or less are eligible to use the Free File program. This threshold applies to all filing statuses, including single, married, and head of household25. Approximately 70% of U.S. taxpayers qualify for this service, which translates to around 100 million people.
Available Services: The program offers access to various commercial tax software products from participating providers, which include well-known brands such as TaxSlayer and TaxAct. Taxpayers can either browse available options on the IRS website or use an online tool that matches them with suitable software based on their specific information.
Free Fillable Forms: In addition to commercial software, the IRS provides a service called Free File Fillable Forms, which allows all taxpayers to fill out and e-file basic federal tax forms electronically. This option is available regardless of income level and does not require any specific qualifications.
Go to www.irs.gov/freefile and select either the Free File Software (if income-eligible) or the Free File Fillable Forms.
Choose a software provider (for the Software option) based on your income, state requirements, and personal filing needs.
Answer questions or fill out forms, depending on the option chosen.
Review and submit your return electronically to the IRS.
1. First fill in the required tax details.
2. Then, verify your identity.
3. Enter the details of last year’s AGI.
4. Now enter the 5-digit PIN sent.
5. Submit your electronic signature.
6. Now IRS Federal Free File will be submitted.
Note: Filing your tax return requires a copy of last year’s tax return along with your social security number, and income receipts (from various sources). Fill in W2, Form-1099-INT and Form-1099-G.
Refund Tracking: You can use www.irs.gov/freefile to track your refund once you file.
Security: Using IRS Free File is secure and reliable, ensuring your data is encrypted and protected.
IRS Free File makes filing accessible and straightforward, and it’s a good choice for people who want to avoid paying for tax filing services.