Key Takeaways

• IRS Free File: Free federal filing for households earning under $84,000 — do not go directly to TurboTax or H&R Block websites, always start at IRS.gov/freefile
• IRS Direct File: The IRS’s own free filing tool now available in 25 states — no income limit for simple returns
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): Free in-person help from IRS-certified volunteers for households earning approximately $67,000 or less
• Tax-Aide (AARP): Free prep for any age, no income limit — especially strong for seniors with Social Security income
• Cash App Taxes (free): Completely free federal AND state filing, no income limit — best free software option
• Filing deadline 2026: April 15, 2026 (for 2025 tax year returns)

Table of Contents

1. Option 1: IRS Free File
2. Option 2: IRS Direct File
3. Option 3: VITA — Free In-Person Help
4. Option 4: AARP Tax-Aide
5. Option 5: Free Tax Software (Cash App, FreeTaxUSA)
6. Option 6: Free File Fillable Forms
7. Option 7: State Free Filing Portals
8. What You Need to File
9. FAQ

Option 1: IRS Free File

IRS Free File is a partnership between the IRS and private tax software companies offering completely free federal filing for eligible taxpayers.

Income limit: Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $84,000 or less for tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026)

How to access: Go to IRS.gov/freefile — you must start from this official IRS page to get the free version. Going directly to TurboTax.com or HRBlock.com will take you to paid products.

What’s available: Multiple Free File partners to choose from, including:

• TurboTax Free Edition (simple returns only)
• H&R Block Free Online
• TaxAct Free Edition
• FreeTaxUSA (free federal, low-cost state)
• OLT OnLine Taxes

State returns: Not all Free File partners include free state filing. FreeTaxUSA is the best combination — free federal, $14.99 state.

Warning: The Free File Alliance companies have been known to use “dark patterns” to upsell paid products. Always enter through IRS.gov/freefile and confirm you’re in the free product. If you see payment requests before filing, exit and restart from the IRS page.

Option 2: IRS Direct File

The IRS launched its own free tax filing tool in 2024. For the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026), IRS Direct File is available in 25 states.

Available states (2026): Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington D.C.

Best for: W-2 employees with standard deductions and basic credits (CTC, EITC, student loan interest). Does NOT support: itemized deductions, Schedule C (self-employment), rental income, or complex investment situations.

Income limit: None — the limitation is return complexity, not income level

Access: IRS.gov/directfile

Option 3: VITA — Free In-Person Tax Preparation

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites are IRS-sponsored locations staffed by trained and IRS-certified volunteers who prepare your return for free, in person.

Who qualifies:

• Generally households earning $67,000 or less
• People with disabilities
• Limited English speakers
• Seniors (especially through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program within VITA)

How to find a site: IRS VITA locator at IRS.gov/vita, or call 211 (United Way helpline) — they’ll connect you to the nearest site and its hours.

What to bring:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and all dependents
• All W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents
• Last year’s tax return (helpful but not required)
• Bank routing and account number for direct deposit
• Any relevant expense receipts (childcare costs, education expenses)

Average refund boost: Studies show VITA clients claim $270 more in EITC on average compared to paid preparers, because trained VITA volunteers are required to ask all qualifying questions for credits.

Option 4: AARP Tax-Aide

AARP’s Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation with specialized expertise in retirement income, Social Security, Medicare, and pension distributions.

Age requirement: None — open to taxpayers of all ages Income limit: None

Why it’s especially valuable for seniors:

• Volunteers trained on Social Security taxability calculations
• Medicare premium deductions
• Required Minimum Distributions
• Pension and retirement account distributions
• State-specific senior exemptions

How to find a site: AARP.org/taxaide or call 1-888-687-2277

Appointments typically open in late January for the filing season.

Option 5: Free Tax Software

For those who prefer to file themselves online without the IRS partnership programs:

Cash App Taxes is the standout: completely free federal and state filing, no income limit, and handles most common tax situations including W-2 income, self-employment (Schedule C), investments (Schedule D), and rental income. No hidden fees.

FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal, $14.99 state) handles the most complex returns of any free/low-cost option — Schedule C, C corporations, S corporations, rental income, cryptocurrency, and more.

Option 6: Free File Fillable Forms

If your income is above $84,000, the IRS offers Free File Fillable Forms — digital versions of standard IRS paper forms with basic arithmetic built in.

Income limit: None Best for: Taxpayers comfortable preparing their own returns who just want electronic filing

Limitations: No guidance, no error-checking beyond basic math, no state return support. You need to know what you’re doing.

Access: IRS.gov/freefilefillableforms

Option 7: State Free Filing Portals

Most states with income taxes offer their own free filing options:

Visit your state’s Department of Revenue website and look for “Free File” or “Free Tax Filing.”

What You Need to File

Before sitting down to file, gather:

Income Documents:

• W-2(s) from employer(s)
• 1099-NEC (freelance/contract income of $600+)
• 1099-INT (bank interest)
• 1099-DIV (dividends)
• 1099-B (investment sales)
• 1099-G (unemployment benefits)
• SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits)
• 1098 (mortgage interest paid)
• 1098-E (student loan interest paid)
• 1098-T (tuition paid)

Other Documents:

• Last year’s tax return (especially for AGI for Identity Protection PIN)
• Social Security numbers for all family members
• Bank routing and account number for direct deposit
• Childcare provider’s EIN/SSN if claiming Dependent Care Credit
• Medical and charitable receipts if itemizing

Filing Deadlines 2026

FAQ

Is filing an extension the same as an extension to pay? No. Form 4868 extends your filing deadline to October 15 but does NOT extend your payment deadline. If you owe taxes, they’re still due April 15. File the extension AND pay your estimated balance to avoid penalties and interest.

I only made $8,000 this year. Do I need to file? You may not be required to file (below the standard deduction threshold of $15,750 for single), but you should still file if: taxes were withheld from your paycheck and you want a refund, OR you qualify for refundable credits like the EITC or ACTC that you’d receive only by filing.

What if I can’t file by April 15? File for an extension (Form 4868) by April 15 — it’s automatic and free. This gives you until October 15. Pay as much as you can by April 15 to minimize penalties on any amount owed.

Can I file for free if I’m self-employed? Yes — Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA both handle Schedule C (self-employment) at no charge. IRS Free File covers self-employment for incomes under $84,000. VITA can also prepare Schedule C returns for simple self-employment situations.

Sources

1. IRS. Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free. IRS.gov.
2. IRS. IRS Direct File. IRS.gov.
3. IRS. Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers (VITA). IRS.gov.
4. AARP. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. AARP.org.

Related Articles:

• 2026 Tax Brackets
• EITC 2026 — Income Limits & How to Claim
• Child Tax Credit 2026
• Quarterly Estimated Taxes 2026
• Self-Employment Tax 2026

Source: IRS.gov; AARP Tax-Aide. Last verified: March 2026.