IRS Free File Internal Revenue Service

Maintain copies of the completed 1040 Easy Form and any IRS correspondence for at least three years to address potential discrepancies or audits. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) was $84,000 or less, review each trusted partner’s offer to make sure you qualify for a free federal return. Some trusted partners include a free state tax return while others may charge a fee. After selecting one of the IRS File offers, you will leave IRS.gov website.

You might be a freelancer or contractor or own your own small business. In 2025, the IRS also expanded access to its Direct File program — a free electronic filing service launched as a pilot in 2024 — to 25 participating states. If you don’t have your forms on hand, you can auto-import your info from your W–2s or 1099s directly from more than a million participating employers and financial institutions. We save your info automatically, so you can switch devices and pick up right where you left off. You can even file your taxes entirely from your phone with our mobile app.

The VITA program offers help to individuals who generally make $64,000 or less, people with disabilities and taxpayers who speak limited English. One standout feature of the IRS Direct File program is its live chat support. Unlike other free online tax software, this program lets you chat directly with an IRS customer service representative. You can get help with technical issues or clarification on essential tax matters. Learning how to file a simple tax return can save you lots of money over the years since you won’t need to pay a tax preparer.

OTHER TAX SERVICES

Get unlimited help accessing your account, retrieving your username and password, updating your preferences, and more. Prepare and print a worksheet with the tax info your need to get your financial aid. VITA volunteers must pass certification exams  to participate.

If you have any capital gains or losses to report for any of those transactions, you’ll also need to file Schedule D of Form 1120-S. Form 1120-S isn’t the only IRS form you’ll need to prepare to file your S-corp tax return properly. The IRS advises taxpayers to use the simplest form for a specific situation but cautions that the simplest form may not always produce the best tax results. A young taxpayer with a student loan, for instance, will simple tax return miss a deduction for interest with a 1040-EZ. A taxpayer contributing to an individual retirement account won’t be able to deduct that contribution with a 1040-EZ.

TurboTax Free Edition

• VITA volunteers must pass certification exams  to participate.
• Go to IRS Direct File to find more information, including eligibility requirements and updates to the list of tax situations added to IRS Direct File for the 2024 tax year.
• We’ll help you understand how and find new deductions for your situation.
• These are the electronic versions of IRS paper forms and are best for people who are comfortable preparing their own taxes using IRS forms and instructions.
• The 1040 Easy Form is designed for single filers or married couples filing jointly without dependents.

It streamlines the process and allows you to file efficiently without unnecessary details. A simple tax return lets you claim common credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit. You get the most out of your refund or lower your taxable income without dealing with complicated deductions. With basic income like W-2 wages and standard deductions, you won’t need extra paperwork or complicated calculations. With my utter lack of experience and complicated mess of documents, I might be the best guinea pig to see which online tax services are best for most types of filers. This year, I was a freelance writer for three different publications, across three states, with three types of tax documents.

• All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
• Taxpayers are still obligated to pay taxes due on April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest.
• If your return doesn’t qualify for TurboTax Free Edition, we have other paid options to file using TurboTax.
• If you’re a gig worker who consistently owes money, I’d definitely start up a quarterly payment plan at the beginning of the year with the IRS to break up the amount, so you aren’t hit with $15K owed by April 15 like me.
• Its search function uses your zip code to show you a list of nearby locations.
• The IRS has an online tool on its website to help you determine if you’re eligible to use the program.

When you go through big changes, like getting a new job or having a baby, it might affect your taxes. We’ll help you understand how and find new deductions for your situation. If you answer “No” to either question 11a or 11b (i.e., your total annual receipts and/or total assets were above $250,000) you’ll have to file Schedule L, which is just your business’ balance sheet. Accounting software like Ambrook can help you generate a balance sheet for your business automatically.

IRS: Free File provides quick and easy way to file taxes

Keep a copy of the form and supporting documents for at least three years as recommended by the IRS. We’ll let you know what to expect and how to prepare in the unlikely event you receive an audit letter from the IRS. Ambrook partners with Stripe Payments Company for money transmission services and account services with funds held at Fifth Third Bank N.A. Ambrook Visa® Cards are issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered Industrial Bank, Member FDIC. You’ll need to answer yes or no to tell the IRS whether you made any payments that would require you to file 1099 forms and, if so, whether you have or will file those forms. If you answer “yes” to question 14a, the IRS will expect to receive 1099s from you.

Ready to try TurboTax Free Edition?

The advantage of Free File is that the experience is similar to what you’d get using software programs created by large tax filing companies. In most cases, though, you can file more forms for free if you use the IRS Free File site instead of using the online tax software product directly. Many major tax software providers offer a free tier of tax preparation software for people with very simple tax situations. These packages may be different from what’s available via IRS Free File if the provider participates. TurboTax will outline the requirements for a simple tax return and walk you through the process step by step.

If you follow the directions on Form 1040 and use the accompanying instruction booklet, you can handle your own taxes for years to come. Taxpayers who wish to itemize deductions or claim credits beyond the Earned Income Tax Credit must also use the standard Form 1040. Understanding these restrictions ensures taxpayers select the appropriate form for their financial situation and file accurately. For example, if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), ensure you’re meeting all the criteria, as this credit can significantly reduce your tax bill. Also check if your state offers additional credits or deductions that complement your federal filing.

In addition, a simple tax return includes the standard deduction, rather than a variety of itemized deductions and Schedule C business expenses. Direct File will only help with individual federal tax returns, not state returns. The IRS has worked with the state governments to make sure those taxpayers are guided to a state-supported tool to file a state return.

Avoid Overpaying Taxes

If you meet certain requirements, there are many ways to file your taxes for free. Some Social Security benefits and some other retirement account withdrawals are taxable. Not all income, including some gifts and inheritances, is taxable, further complicating things. You might receive a gift from a family member or friend, have rental income or have received unemployment income. People can earn and receive a wide variety of taxable income during the year.

If you’re still not completely sure about your work, you can try to prepare the first draft of your return, then hire a low-cost tax preparer, such as an online tax-prep service, to check your work. Because we have customers who pay for our premium products and services, we can offer free tax filing to many customers. GetYourRefund.org also offers a “File Myself” option, which essentially connects anyone who makes under a certain income — similar to the Free File offer — to partner brand-name tax software so you can file your taxes on your own. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a federal grant program that helps community organizations provide free tax preparation to low- and moderate-income individuals, disabled people, older Americans and limited-English speakers. Generally, the income limit to qualify for free tax help is $67,000.

A simple tax return uses Form 1040, which only files the simplest type of tax return. TurboTax’s simple tax return covers W-2 income, student loan interest deductions, earned income tax credit (EIC), limited interest and dividend income, standard deductions, and child tax credits. IRS Free File lets qualified taxpayers prepare and file federal income tax returns online using guided tax preparation software. Those who don’t qualify can still use Free File Fillable Forms.

Regardless of whether you are filing for the first time or not, many prefer to have the option to work with or get advice from a tax expert when filing their taxes. TurboTax, one of the most popular and reliable brands in the market, offers three free options for filing a simple tax return this year. You have the option to file yourself, file with an expert, or have a tax expert do your taxes for you. A simple Form 1040 return is one that’s filed using IRS Form 1040 only (no forms or schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or student loan interest). If you have a simple Form 1040 return only as described above, you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic at the listed price. If your return doesn’t qualify for TurboTax Free Edition, we have other paid options to file using TurboTax.