With a solution to How to do my taxes online for free? you can electronically prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax preparation and filing software.
Welcome to IRS Free File, where you can electronically prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax preparation and filing software. Let IRS Free File do the hard work for you.
IRS Free File lets you prepare and file your federal income tax online using guided tax preparation, at an IRS partner site or Free File Fillable Forms. It’s safe, easy and no cost to you for a federal return.
To receive a free federal tax return, you must select an IRS Free File provider from the Browse All Offers page or from your Online Lookup Tool results. Once you click your desired IRS Free File provider, you will leave the IRS.gov website and land on the IRS Free File provider’s website. Then, you must create an account at the IRS Free File provider’s website accessed via IRS.gov to prepare and file your return. Please note that an account created at the same provider’s commercial tax preparation website does NOT work with IRS Free File: you MUST access the provider’s Free File site as instructed above.
Choose from IRS Free File:
Guided Tax Preparation
(for AGI $73,000 or less)
- Free federal return if you qualify
- Answer simple questions
- Guided preparation does all the math
- Tax filing done on an IRS partner site
- Some state tax preparation and filing are free
Fillable Forms
- Available for any income level
- Free electronic forms you fill out and file yourself
- Be able to prepare a paper tax return using IRS forms, instructions and publications
- No tax preparation guidance and limited calculations provided
What Is IRS Free File?
The IRS Free File Program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and many tax preparation and filing software industry companies who provide their online tax preparation and filing for free. It provides two ways for taxpayers to prepare and file their federal income tax online for free:
- Guided Tax Preparation provides free online tax preparation and filing at an IRS partner site. Our partners deliver this service at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Taxpayers whose AGI is $73,000 or less qualify for a free federal tax return.
- Free File Fillable Forms are electronic federal tax forms, equivalent to a paper 1040 form. You should know how to prepare your own tax return using form instructions and IRS publications if needed. It provides a free option to taxpayers whose income (AGI) is greater than $73,000.
Find what you need to get started, your protections and security, available forms and more about IRS Free File below.
How IRS Free File Offers Work
- You must begin your filing option at IRS.gov. Going directly to a company’s website will result in not receiving the benefits offered here.
- Choose an IRS Free File option, guided tax preparation or Free File Fillable Forms.
- You will be directed to the IRS partner’s website to create a new account or if you are a previous user, log in to an existing account.
- Prepare and efile your federal tax return.
- Receive an email when the IRS has accepted your return.
IRS Free File Program offers the most commonly filed forms and schedules for taxpayers.
About IRS Free File Partnership with Online Tax Preparation Companies
The IRS Free File program is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a coalition of leading tax preparation software companies. IRS Free File partners are online tax preparation companies that offer what is called the “IRS Free File” program, which provides free electronic tax preparation and filing of federal tax returns at no cost to qualifying taxpayers (some may also offer free state returns). The IRS Free File program PPP is not a traditional contractual arrangement; this partnership represents a balance of joint responsibility and collaboration that serves the interests of taxpayers and the Federal government. The online tax preparation software partners are part of the Free File Alliance, which coordinates with the IRS to provide free electronic federal tax preparation and filing to you. This non-profit, public-private partnership is dedicated to helping millions of people prepare and file their federal taxes online for free.
The IRS does not endorse any individual partner company.
What You Need to Get Started
Personal Information You Need
- A copy of last year’s tax return in order to access your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
- Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependent, if applicable
Income and Receipts
- Social Security benefits
- Unemployment Compensation
- All receipts pertaining to your small business, if applicable
- Income receipts from rental, real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporation, trusts
Other income
- W-2s, showing your annual wages from all of your employers
- Form 1099-INT, showing interest paid to you throughout the year
- Form 1099-G, showing any refund, credit or offset of state and local taxes
- Forms 1099-DIV and 1099-R, showing dividends and distributions from retirement and other plans paid to you during the year
ACA Filers
- Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. For more information see Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Provisions.
- Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit
File Electronically
- When self-preparing your taxes and filing electronically, you must sign and validate your electronic tax return . To verify your identity, use last year’s AGI or last year’s self-select signature personal identification number (PIN). To sign your electronic tax return, use a 5 digit self-select PIN, any five numbers (except all zeros) that you choose that will which serves as your electronic signature.
- If you do not know last year’s AGI, have a copy of your prior year tax return, you may use the IRS Get Transcript self-help tools to get a tax return transcript showing your prior year AGI. You have two options:
- Online: obtain the prior year AGI using IRS Get Transcript self-help tools to get a tax return transcript showing your prior year AGI. Use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry. Secure Access: How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools provides you with the information you need to make the request.
- By Mail: Mail your tax return, allowing 5 to 10 days for delivery. Use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.
Contact Information
- To get a notification from the Free File software company that your return was accepted by IRS, you need a valid email address.