Filing taxes for free sounds like a dream. But you can really find free Federal and State tax filing sites online.
You can also find free tax preparation and online tax preparation services at no cost — no matter what state you are in.
So if you are ready to learn which states offer free tax programs and the best free tax software — let’s get started.
Pro-Tip: If you have already filed your taxes for 2022 — you can check the IRS refund schedule to see where your tax refund is.
Free Online Tax Prep Services
Here are some of the top-rated free online tax filing options for the 2020 tax season.
1. Credit Karma
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: None, unlike most tax preparation software on the market, Credit Karma is completely free regardless of your income. You can use it to file both your federal and state returns, and you don’t have to worry about any upsells or fees.
- State: Single-state prepare and file free
- Office Site: Credit Karma
Credit Karma Tax is always 100% free. It’s $0 to file both state and federal tax returns. Even if you’re taking deductions or credits, it won’t cost you a penny, ever.
Smart, simple and 100% free filing makes tax season the best season.
- Max Refund Guarantee
- Smart File streamlined filing process
- Accurate Calculations Guarantee
- Free Audit Defense
File federal/state now for free on Credit Karma
2. TurboTax Federal Free Filing Option
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: AGI is must be less than $34,000 or $66,000 for active-duty military.
- State: Included
- Office Site: TurboTax
You’ll pay nothing to file your simple federal and state taxes online at TurboTax— it is your free tax filing solution. Also, when tax laws change they are on top of it, so you can be sure your tax return includes the latest IRS and state tax forms.
IRS e-file is open — file simple tax returns only free with TurboTax: $0 Fed. $0 State. $0 to File. Guaranteed through this link.
3. H&R Block Online Free Edition
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: Gross AGI is $66,000 or less than 51 years old or younger. You can also be eligible for a free tax return filing if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- State: Included
- Office Site: HR Block Free Tax Filing
Get more with free tax filing from Block.
4. TaxSlayer.com Free File Federal (American Pledge)
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: Federal filing is free for filers under age 50 who earn less than the $66,000 AGI cap.
- State: Not included, must pay $29 per state.
- Office Site: TaxSlayer.com
This is one of the best free tax software if you are filing as single, married filing joint, or students and want to file for $0 (simple returns). Start, finish, and file a simple return. E-file your federal tax return and one state return for $0.
You can file your taxes for free with TaxSlayer.com.
5. E Smart Tax Free Plan
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: AGI is $66,000 or less and you’re 53 or younger. Also, active-duty military filers can file for free, regardless of age.
- State: Not included, must pay $19.95 per state.
- Office Site: E Smart Tax
E Smart Tax guarantees the biggest refund with its free online tax filing. Here you can e-file your federal and state tax returns with confidence and ease.
6. TaxAct Free Edition
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: Gross AGI is under $55,000 or less and are 56 or younger. You can also qualify if you in the active military and AGI is under $66,000 or eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- State: Included
- Office Site: TaxAct
TaxAct makes filing your state and federal tax return easy with step-by-step guides and free phone support. Maximum refund and $100k accuracy guarantee. When you are filing taxes for free with TaxAct you can get the following included:
Income
- W-2 Income: Simple fillers
- Unemployment income
- Retirement income
- Child Tax Credits
- Earned Income Credits
- Stimulus Credit
Expenses
- Dependents
- Current students
Features
- Prior year import
- Personalized My TaxPlan
- ProTips
Support
- Free account & technical support
Simple filers with dependents, college expenses and retirement income can file for free with TaxAct. File by yourself, any time, with expert help if you need it.
7. E-File.com
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: AGI must be less than $35,000 and 61 years old or younger. Or an AGI of $35,000 or under for active-duty military.
- State: Not included, must pay $21 per state with code 25OFF.
- Office Site: E-File.com
With E-file.com, users can file their taxes online in just a few minutes. Qualified tax support is available, and the software is incredibly easy to use – they take the guesswork out of filling out your taxes. Many people can file in less than 15 minutes, and get their refund as fast as possible!
8. FreeTaxUSA Free Edition
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: AGI must be less than $35,000 and 61 years old or younger. Or an AGI of $35,000 or under for active-duty military.
- State: Not included, must pay $12.95 per state.
- Office Site: FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA is another online tax service that offers 100% free tax filing. Here you can e-file your tax return directly to the IRS. Prepare federal and state income taxes online. It is a legitimate 2019 tax preparation software.
9. Free File Fillable Forms
- Free Tax Software: Yes
- Requirements: No restrictions, however, you must fill out all the forms yourself online (not ideal given the other options).
- State: Included
- Office Site: Free File Fillable Forms
Free File Fillable Forms is the tool for you if you’re comfortable filling out the forms and schedules without tax software help or assistance. If you’re not comfortable with this method, you may want to consider choosing the traditional free file programs mentioned in this post.
How Can I File My Taxes for Free?
Learn more about free tax programs available to you below. So if you’re wondering “How Do I File My Taxes For Free?” keep on reading!
IRS Free File Alliance
The IRS’s Free File program allows those with adjusted gross incomes under $62k to use the Free File software for their federal taxes for no charge in a partnership with the Free File Alliance. Many states also partner with the FFA to offer free state tax returns to those that qualify, and some states offer free e-filing for all taxpayers. Tax return processing will begin on January 19, 2020.
(Note: Every taxpayer regardless of income can file for free if you want to fill out the tax forms by hand. The free service being provided here is the software back end that does the calculations for you. Tax returns prepared electronically are generally more accurate than those filled out by hand, reducing processing time and the potential for penalties that result from errors in your filing.)
States That Participate in the Free File Alliance
The Free File Alliance is a group of tax preparation companies which operate a public-private partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free electronic tax filing services to United States tax payers meeting certain guidelines.
These are a list of states that participate in the IRS Free File Alliance:
- Alabama – Free e-filing
- Alaska – No state income tax
- Arizona – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Arkansas – Partners with several major tax software providers
- California – Free filing through CalFile
- Colorado – Free filing through Revenue Online
- Connecticut – Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center
- Delaware – Online filing
- District of Columbia – Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center
- Florida – No state income tax.
- Georgia – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Hawaii – Free e-filing (fee to make a payment)
- Idaho – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Illinois – Free e-filing
- Indiana – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.in.gov/dor/4740.htm
- Iowa – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Kansas – Free e-filing
- Kentucky – E-filing
- Louisiana – Free e-filing
- Maine – Free iFile
- Maryland – Free iFile
- Massachusetts – WebFile
- Michigan – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Minnesota – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Mississippi – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Missouri – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Montana – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point
- Nebraska – Free NebFile
- Nevada – No state income tax.
- New Hampshire – No state income tax.
- New Jersey – Free NJWebFile
- New Mexico – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point
- New York – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- North Carolina – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- North Dakota – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Ohio – Free e-filing
- Oklahoma – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Oregon – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Pennsylvania – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers
- Rhode Island – Partners with several major tax software providers
- South Carolina – Partners with several major tax software providers
- South Dakota – No state income tax.
- Tennessee – No state income tax.
- Texas – No state income tax.
- Utah – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point
- Vermont – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Virginia – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Washington – No state income tax.
- West Virginia – Partners with several major tax software providers
- Wisconsin – e-filing through WI efile
- Wyoming – No state income tax.
How to Prepare for Tax Season
- Finish up any IRA contributions for 2020 (you have until April 15, 2021, to make 2020 IRA contributions for all IRA types).
- Look up the schedules your various financial institutions are planning on issuing your documentation (1099s, etc) so you can watch for them. Ask your employer when you will receive your W-2.
- If you are considering professional tax preparation and haven’t done so before (or are switching preparers), now is the time to be asking around to find a tax preparer. If you have an established relationship, it’s always nice to reach out to say you will/will not be going with the same person again.
- Make sure you understand if you should claim 1 or 0 on your W-4 for taxes.
- I’m sure you’ll have ideas as well, leave them in the comments.
Ready to File Your Taxes for Free?
These are some of the best tax websites that help you file Federal and State taxes for free. Using online tax services are safe as your internet session and transmission of your federal return are encrypted in a secure environment. So if you are looking for a free way to file your taxes — all of these options are worth looking into.