How to file your taxes for free

Millions of Americans can file their tax returns at no cost, especially if they meet certain income requirements or have a simple tax return.

Some programs are offered directly by the government, while others are through partnerships with top tax software companies or sponsored by nonprofit organizations.

In 2025, the IRS expanded its Direct File program into 25 states, with an estimated 30 million taxpayers eligible to use the system.

Direct File is a free IRS program for filing federal tax returns online. In 2025, Direct File is open to eligible taxpayers in 25 states: Alaska, 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 and Wyoming.

There are also household income limits. You can't use Direct File if:

• Your wages exceed $200,000. or $168,600 if you had more than one employer
• You file as married filing jointly, and your spouse's wages are more than $200,000 (or $168,600 if they had more than one employer).
• You file as married filing separately and your wages exceed $125,000 or you file married filing jointly and your combined wages exceed $250,000.

Direct File can be used to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, but not much else. You also can't itemize deductions or report additional income, like capital gains or money from gig work or rental properties.

If your state doesn't have Direct File yet, IRS Free File is a no-cost online service for filers who had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $84,000 or less in 2024.

A partnership between the IRS and leading tax prep sites, including TaxSlayer and FreeTaxUSA, Free File allows users to choose which company to work with based on their income, location and filing needs. (Some partners also offer free state filing.)

About 70% of Americans qualified for IRS Free File in 2024, according to the Taxpayer Advocate, but less than 5% used it.

There is the chance that Free File doesn't accept the forms you need and there is not much customer support to help you maximize your refund.

Tax software companies do a great job of simplifying the filing process, offering guided assistance and the ability to upload tax documents and previous years' returns. Many offer free tiers for simple returns, though they typically have limited features and support.

With TurboTax's basic tier you can report W-2 income, some interest and dividends, child tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit and deductions for student loan interest. According to TurboTax, about 37% of filers qualify to use its basic tier for free.

H&R Block has a free tier for simple returns that's a good option if you're a W-2 employee, a student, reporting income from unemployment insurance or claiming earned income credits. It can be used to file both state and federal returns.

While both TurboTax and H&R Block are among CNBC Select's top-rated tax software programs, their free versions won't process complicated returns. FreeTaxUSA supports tax forms other no-cost options don't — including those for itemized deductions, income from investments and HSA contributions. (Federal filing is free, while state returns are $14.99 each.)

Cash App Taxes processes both federal and state taxes for free, with no upselling or rerouting to paid tiers for more complex returns. As a tradeoff, there's no live help available if you have a question.

Banking app Chime* has partnered with tax software developers Column Tax and April to offer free state and federal filing directly through its platform. Simple returns can be completed in as little as 24 minutes, according to the San Francisco–based fintech company, and members who set up direct deposit can get their federal tax refund up to six days early.

According to Chime, the in-app tax filing program allows for itemized deductions and covers a wide range of tax scenarios, including W-2 income, income from retirement, unemployment insurance and Social Security and stock and crypto sales.

Starting in 2023, MoneyLion made free filing available to customers with RoarMoney bank accounts. Online banks Varo and Current followed suit in 2024.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free in-person tax preparation to people with an income of $67,000 or less, who have disabilities or limited English skills.

You will need to visit in person and may need to make an appointment, but you can find local providers here.

Another IRS-backed program, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) funds free nonprofit and community tax preparation for filers 60 and older. Trained volunteers will help prepare simple returns and can answer retirement-related questions. (Some locations also offer self-filing options.)

Check the IRS website or AARP Tax-Aide site locator tool to find a TCE-affiliated location in your area or call 888-227-7669.

Sponsored by the Department of Defense, MilTax is a tax software program for U.S. service members, veterans and their families, with details on how to file in multiple states, how to report deployment and combat pay, and more.

Eligible filers can electronically submit a federal return and up to three state returns free of charge.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every tax guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax services. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.