Yes, you can file your taxes for free

The 2024 tax filing season officially began on Monday, Jan. 29, with returns due on April 15. 

Many tax preparation companies say they offer free filing, but some people on social media have claimed that services advertised as free don’t always turn out that way by the time people submit their returns. 

Now that the 2024 tax season is underway, people online are looking for ways to file their taxes for free. 

THE QUESTION

Can you file your taxes for free?

THE SOURCES

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• AARP Foundation
• Cash App
• TurboTax
• H&R Block
• MilTax, a free tax filing program through the Department of Defense

THE ANSWER

Yes, you can file your taxes for free.

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WHAT WE FOUND

The IRS announced on Jan. 22 that Free File, a federal program that partners with outside providers to offer free online tax preparation and filing software, is ready to use. Any taxpayer or family whose adjusted gross income (AGI) was $79,000 or less in 2023 is eligible for IRS Free File. 

Free File only guarantees you a free federal tax return, although the IRS says some providers offer free state tax return preparation and filing.

These eight tax providers are participating in IRS Free File in 2024: 

• 1040Now
• Drake (1040.com)
• ezTaxReturn.com
• FileYourTaxes.com
• On-Line Taxes
• TaxAct
• TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA)
• TaxSlayer

Taxpayers can use the IRS Free File online lookup tool to find the right provider for them. 

Free File Fillable forms are available through the IRS to all taxpayers who are comfortable preparing their own tax returns. This is a free tax filing option for people whose income (AGI) is greater than $79,000.

An IRS pilot program launching in 2024 will also allow some taxpayers in 12 states to file their taxes for free directly to the government. This is separate from the existing Free File program.

The Direct File pilot is rolling out in phases and is not available to the general public yet, but it is “expected to be more widely available in mid-March,” the IRS says. 

According to the IRS, certain taxpayers in these 12 states will be able to participate in the pilot:

• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Massachusetts
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington state
• Wyoming

People can go to the IRS Direct File website to check their eligibility for the pilot program and sign up to be notified when it’s open for them.

The IRS also manages another program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), which helps people who make $64,000 or less, have a disability, or don’t feel comfortable speaking English.

Other free tax filing options

Beyond the IRS, there are other free tax filing options available. 

The AARP Foundation has a program called Tax-Aide that offers free in-person and virtual tax assistance. Tax-Aide is available to anyone, regardless of income, although the service is focused on people over 50 who have low-to-moderate incomes. The program can help with most, but not all, tax returns. 

Cash App Taxes provides a free tax filing service with no income restrictions for both federal and state taxes, but you have to download Cash App and log in to use the service.

Many of the largest paid tax preparation services also offer free tax filing services for some taxpayers, separate from the IRS Free File program. TurboTax and H&R Block have free tax filing options for people who only have simple tax returns.

The Department of Defense has a free tax filing program called MilTax for servicemembers or veterans, as well as their family members and survivors. People can check their eligibility on the program’s website.

This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español: Sí, puedes declarar tus impuestos de forma gratuita