Free income tax filing services can be accessed by those making an income below a certain standard through the IRS Free File program using its free commercial tax software. This program is a combined idea of the IRS and the Free File Alliance. With no limitations over your income, you can file your taxes for free without guidance using the IRS’s fillable forms. We shall look further into the free income tax filing options.
Filing taxes for free
Good news for taxpayers in 2024 in addition to the existing measures to file taxes, new measures have been introduced. This includes the free services offered by IRS and other popular tax software companies letting you use a free version of their software. IRS Free File, Direct File, and VITA are the most used ones.
Free tax filing options
Let us look into the various organizations that provide free income tax filing services around the country.
IRS Free File
The IRS and the nonprofit organization Free File Alliance formed a partnership that they named the IRS Free File. This lets people who fall under the year’s eligibility criteria access the free software from numerous tax-prep companies like TaxSlayer and TaxAct.
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In the 2024 tax filing season, taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or lesser in 2023, will be eligible for the IRS free file services. Yet there could be more to it than the adjusted gross income range to qualify as the providers participating can set additional guidelines for eligibility such as age and residency. Further, make sure that the filing service offers free state returns as not all providers offer it.
Another option that the IRS provides is their fillable forms which can be accessed for free by anyone without any additional cost and can be submitted electronically. But this neither offers tax guidance nor any state filing options.
Availability
You can find the IRS Free File program on the IRS website throughout the tax extension deadline which stays from January 12 to mid-October of 2024. The free fillable forms are available on the website until the same date but from January 29, 2024 onwards. If you choose to file by paper or mail, visit or contact a Taxpayer Assistance Center via phone, or find the forms on the IRS website.
Direct File
This is another service recently launched by the IRS in 2024 mainly for people having a simpler return. You can easily file taxes for free with this service of the IRS if you are a resident of Arizona, California, New York, Florida, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Nevada, Texas, New Hampshire, South Dakota, or Washington.
Initially for ensuring the proper working of this program, it was made available only for a smaller section of taxpayers. This was later made available to all eligible taxpayers in 12 states supporting it after its official launch on March 12.
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The various situations supported by the Direct File pilot include unemployment, $1,500 or lesser interest, W-2 income, railroad retirement income, and Social Security. You can easily file your earned income tax credit, credit for other dependents, and child tax credit through this software. When it comes to deductions, the standard deduction, student loan interest, and educator expenses are supported. The software only hosts federal tax returns and not state returns but for some of these, it directs people to a state-supported software that lets you file state returns.
Availability
Similar to Free File, Direct File is also available through the IRS website. Their services are available in both English and Spanish which can be accessed via mobile, desktop or laptop, and tablets.
Free online tax software
These include the free version of the tax preparation software offered by many top tax software providers for people having a relatively simpler tax situation. The “simple tax situation” defined by different software might vary. Generally, these are best for people getting income from a single job and don’t itemize. Yet these packages are different than those in the IRS Free File if the provider participates.
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These free packages usually cover Form 1040 which helps one claim child tax credit or earned income tax credit which are tax breaks. Certain packages also offer help with bank interest or student loan interest. Although you can find state tax returns in these packages, make sure that there aren’t any added fees by the providers if you are filing around the deadline.
A comparison of online tax filing software is shown below:
| Provider | Free State Return | Income Limitation |
| H&R Block Free Online | Yes | No |
| TaxSlayer Simply Free | Yes | Yes, $100,000 or less. |
| TaxAct Free | Yes | No |
| TurboTax Free edition | Yes | no |
Availability
You can get the free version of most of the tax software from their websites. Among the available options of tax software, the right one for you ultimately depends on your specific tax requirement.
GetYouRefund.org
This is more like an alternate measure to access VITA services once if you are having difficulty getting an in-person appointment from a local VITA site. This acts as an intermediate that connects needy taxpayers who are eligible with trained and certified volunteers from the IRS who can guide you through the tax filing process. Developed by Code for America along with the IRS, GetYourFund is a nonprofit service offering services virtually for those making below $66,000, even in Spanish. The primary requirement includes a copy of your Social Security card or taxpayer identification number. These tax preparers let you file your returns that you haven’t yet done between 2020 through 2022.
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The filing procedure requires you to upload the tax documents and then fill out their basic forms to provide further information. Before starting to work on your returns, the tax preparer will contact you to go over the information you provided. Then similar to the usual VITA procedure, your return is looked over once again to finalize it, by another certified preparer. You can expect a call from them where they will disclose the bill amount and rectify your doubts.
After approving the same, you can sign off your return online and the paperwork will be submitted by them without bothering you. The website claims to complete the whole process in around two or three weeks. The option “File Myself” allows anyone with earnings below $79,000 to file taxes on their own by connecting them to tax software companies similar to the Free File program offered by the IRS. Filling free state returns requires no copy of your Social Security number.
Availability
Choose the kind of service right for you from getyourfund.org, generally the GetMyRefund service or the File Myself service, which if you are not sure about then make use of the Q&A session. Then you shall be guided by the program or will be sent to the partner site.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
TCE focusing on elderly people aged 60 and older, is another federal grant program helping community organizations to provide free tax preparation for issues like retirement, and pension-related taxes. Although the eligibility is 60 years and above, certain sites run by AARPs can offer you their service even if you are a low-to-moderate earner in your 50s.
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In TCE, the providers like non-profit organizations and community organizations, make use of the grant money for the free tax preparation service. Here the tax preparation is carried out by trained and vetted volunteers and generally, basic tax returns are helped. The “Self-Prep” option allows you to file the taxes on your own through the software where you can also find a volunteer for assistance.
Availability
Head to the IRS website to find the list of TCE sites in the country. You can also find information regarding the languages spoken, the appointment system, and operational hours. IRS advises that it is better to use the AARP locator or call 888-227-7669, during the tax filing season which stays from January to April.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
These are federal grant programs that offer free tax preparation services, arranged by community organizations with help, for people with low to moderate incomes, older natives of America, disabled people, and limited English speakers. The income should be below $64,000 to qualify for the same.
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Despite being housed under the IRS, these are run at real VITA sites by partner organizations and locals who are IRS-certified volunteers. To legally prepare returns, they are required to successfully complete the tax law competency training program. These volunteers don’t necessarily have a Certified Public Account (CPA) or Enrolled Agent (EA) designation but still do hold higher degrees of standards in integrity. The return will also be reviewed by an advanced volunteer after the initial step completion.
VITA tax preparation services help with several returns which include the basic 1040 tax returns, unemployment income, interest income from banks, pensions, certain retirement income, child tax, and the earned income tax. In addition to these, other services that are limited and not guaranteed include self-employment income from 1099-MISC, 1099-K, or 1099-NEC.
These aren’t right for you if you have a complex tax situation like Schedule C with losses, complicated Schedule Ds, or forms on non-deductible IRA contributions.
Availability
Visit the IRS website where you can find the list of VITA sites in the country along with further information such as the languages spoken, operational hours, and if you need an appointment before being physically present at the site of service. You can also access the list of local VITA sites near you by making a call to 800-906-9887.
While visiting any of the VITA sites, make sure that you carry a government ID, your Social Security Card or ITIN documents, previous year’s tax returns, and relevant tax forms.
MilTax
This is an initiative of the Department of Defense that aims at helping certain veterans, members of the military, and their families by providing free tax software and other tax guidance including both legal and financial resources. These services in simpler terms can be accessed by new, current, or transitioning service members of the Army, the Space Force, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the National Guard, throughout the filing season as per the software provider, Military OneSource.
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The software deals with military tax concerns like analyzing the impact of multiple relocations on taxes and reconciling combat income. Also their trained consultants are available both via live chat and on the phone to give you free tax assistance. You can also find MilTax in the VITA program.
Availability
You may find the software on their website along with the information regarding operating hours, VITA site availability nearby, helpline number, and so on.
Advantages of free income tax filings
- Cost-effective
- Accuracy
- Security
- Accessibility
- Reduced risk of errors.
Conclusion
Although there are several free options to consider while filing your taxes, in cases where you have a complicated finance, preparing or filing the same needs payment. Many who are eligible for accessing these free services aren’t aware of the same and end up paying for it. Consider your current market status as well as the possibilities of the future before choosing a stream.
Also Read: Earned Income Tax Credit: Explained in brief
Frequently Asked Questions
What is e-filing of income tax returns?
E-filing is the process of submitting your income tax return online. it is convenient, secure, and extremely fast.
Can I file my state taxes for free as well?
Yes, you can file taxes for free online, but it will be based on the state of your residence.
What documents do I need to file my taxes for free?
The essential documents that you need to have for filing your taxes are:
1. W-2 forms
2. 1099 Forms
3. proof of income
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