IRS Free File enables you to complete and submit your federal income tax return online utilizing Free File Fillable Forms, IRS Partner Sites, or assisted tax preparation. It's secure, simple, and free for you to file a federal return. Find out more about IRS Free File below, including what you need to get started, your security and protections, and the forms that are available.
What is IRS Free File ?
IRS Free File is a program offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States that provides eligible taxpayers with free tax preparation and filing services. The program is a partnership between the IRS and a group of private sector tax preparation companies known as the Free File Alliance.
To be eligible for IRS Free File, taxpayers must have an adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less in the tax year they are filing for. There are also age, military, and other eligibility requirements that vary by Free File software provider. Each tax filing season, the AGI is updated, and this usually results in a little increase. All taxpayers have access to fillable forms as part of the Free File Program.
Through the program, taxpayers can use online software to prepare and file their federal income tax returns for free. Some providers may also offer free state tax preparation and filing services, depending on the taxpayer's state of residence.
Taxpayers can access the IRS Free File program through the IRS website (www.irs.gov/freefile), which provides a list of participating software providers. Each provider has its own set of eligibility criteria and features, so taxpayers should compare the offerings of different providers to find the one that best suits their needs.
Key Facts of IRS Free File
- To assist some taxpayers in filing their returns for free, the IRS established IRS Free File program.
- Adjusted gross income (AGI) must fall within a particular range in order for filers to qualify for the Free File program.
- Those whose AGI is higher than the cutoff may still use free fillable forms under Free File, but they won't receive any filing guidance. Every January, the IRS releases this threshold.
- Every year, the Free File tool opens in January. At that time, the IRS will inform taxpayers of the income limit for filing for free.
- You may have prepared and filed your return using the Free File program in 2023, if your AGI for the 2022 tax year was $73,000 or less.
- By filing electronically, you can submit your tax returns more quickly and receive your refund more quickly.
How the IRS Free File Program Works ?
U.S. taxpayers can prepare and e-file their federal income tax returns for free under the IRS Free File Program. The IRS and other tax preparation and filing software providers collaborate in the public-private IRS Free File Program to offer free online tax preparation and filing. It offers two free options for taxpayers to prepare and submit their federal income taxes online :
- Guided Tax Preparation offers free online tax preparation and filing at an IRS partner site. Those with an AGI of $73,000 or less are qualified to a free federal tax return.
- Free File Fillable Forms are electronic versions of federal tax forms, equivalent to a paper 1040 form. You ought to be able to prepare your own tax return utilizing the form's instructions and any necessary IRS publications. Taxpayers with an annual gross income (AGI) of more than $73,000 are given a free option.
To browse a full list of providers, visit the Browse All Offers page, or use the IRS Free File Lookup Tool to whittle down your list of service providers. You will exit the IRS.gov website after choosing one of the IRS Free File options.
Who is Eligible for IRS Free File ?
Eligibility for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Free File depends on taxpayers AGI. The IRS Free File program is available to taxpayers who have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $73,000 or less in the tax year 2022. However, some Free File providers may have their own eligibility requirements, such as age, income, state residency, or military status.
You can still get free, fillable tax forms on the IRS website even if your AGI is beyond the cutoff. However, you won't receive the interactive, tailored support that Free File offers. If you're unsure of your eligibility, Benefits.gov has an online eligibility checker.
Remember that your adjusted gross income, the amount left over after taking certain deductions from it is what counts towards the Free File income level. You might still be qualified even if your salary is higher than the cutoff because this does not necessarily represent all of your yearly income.
Age and other Restrictions for Free File Program
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, the IRS imposes restrictions and caps on the number of taxpayers Free File software providers can assist annually. Because of this, several alliance members have added their own unique additional eligibility requirements.
Only three of the 12 Free File Alliance members in 2019 did not have an age restriction, while five could only be utilized by taxpayers under the age of 60, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.
IRS Free File Alliance
The IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of top tax preparation software providers, have partnered to create the IRS Free File program as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The IRS Free File program, which offers free electronic tax preparation and submission of federal tax returns to eligible taxpayers, is offered by IRS Free File partners, which are online tax preparation firms.
The Free File Alliance, which works in tandem with the IRS to offer you free electronic federal tax preparation and filing, includes the partners in online tax preparation software. Millions of people will benefit from this nonprofit, public-private partnership's free online tax preparation and filing services. The IRS does not support any specific partner business.
Participants in the IRS Free File
The following service providers are a part of IRS Free File for 2023 :
- TaxAct
- 1040Now
- ezTaxReturn.com
- On-Line Taxes
- FileYourTaxes.com
- TaxSlayer
- FreeTaxUSA
For 2023, ezTaxReturn.com will offer a Spanish-language IRS Free File product.
How to File Tax Return with IRS Free File ?
On its website, the IRS provides access to the tax software used by the alliance's members. The Free File Guided Tax Preparation service from the Internal Revenue Service is now operational and available to taxpayers. Ten days before the beginning of the 2023 filing season, on January 13, 2023, Free File became operational. On January 23, the IRS will begin receiving individual tax returns.
This year, any individual or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2022 will be able to use the IRS Free File online services with seven partners. IRS Free File providers will take finished tax returns and hold them until they can be electronically submitted on January 23, even though the filing season doesn't begin until then.
From January 23, individuals who earn more than $73,000 can use the IRS's Free File Fillable Forms (FFFF), an electronic version of IRS paper forms. The best users of this program are those who feel confident filing their own taxes.
To find the right IRS Free File alliance and use free file program taxpayers can follow these steps :
- Go to IRS.gov/freefile website.
- Select from the IRS Free File options, IRS Free File fillable forms or guided tax preparation.
- Then use IRS Free File Online Lookup Tool or the Browse All Offers tool to review each offer for help in finding the right product.
- Choose the best product (service provider).
- Click on the links to the provider's website to start their tax return.
- You will be taken to the website of the IRS partner where you can register for a new account or, if you have already done so, log in.
- Prepare and submit your federal tax return electronically.
- When the IRS accepts your return, you'll get an email notification.
Taxpayers can get the most popular forms and schedules through the IRS Free File Program. To get started, you will require papers like your tax return from the previous year, your Social Security number, W-2s, and more. Based on your responses, the software will pose a series of questions to you and then look out tax advantages and the best filing alternatives for you.
When the IRS accepts your tax return, each provider will electronically file it for you, and you'll get an email receipt. Federal return preparation and submission are both free of charge. Depending on your specific circumstances, you could also be eligible to file your state tax return for no cost.
Note :
You can also make tax payment for free, if it turns out that you owe taxes. This is possible with IRS Direct Pay.
Who should Use IRS Free File ?
Free File program is considered to be most appropriate for people with fairly basic tax situations. Free File can be your best option to file your taxes quickly and affordably if your case is pretty straightforward and you are confident using computer software and the English language.
Although the software applications offer a number of tax forms, they only include the most typical ones, thus you should generally avoid using this program, if your return :
- Includes multiple schedules
- Requires filing & submitting obscure tax forms
- Includes income from a business that you own
What You Will Need to Free File ?
- Copy of last year's tax return
- Social Security numbers
- Income and Receipts
- Income statements (like W2s or 1099s)
- Spouse and dependent information (if applicable)
- Prior year AGI or self-select PIN
- Valid email address
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the objectives of Free File program?
- Simplify the process of filing federal taxes and lessen the load on individual taxpayers.
- Increase the number of free, online tax filing options available through IRS.gov and reliable partners.
- Maintain a focus on providing free public services to those who are least able to afford them.
What is the best IRS Free File software?
The IRS releases a list of participating tax preparation companies each year as part of the Free File program, a non-profit public-private partnership. The IRS e-file rules and the Federal Trade Commission's privacy and safeguards rules both apply to these providers. The IRS does not favor any particular business.
Is Free File programs are safe?
Yes, Your data is safeguarded against any unauthorized access. Without your informed and voluntary cooperation, IRS Free File providers are not permitted to share or use your tax return information for anything other than preparing your tax return. The IRS e-file rules and the Federal Trade Commission's privacy and safeguard rules also apply to these businesses.
Which are the IRS Free File Providers?
With the Free File program, the IRS frequently collaborates with TaxSlayer, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, 1040Now, and ezTaxReturn.com, among others. You can browse all of the providers on the IRS website, or you can complete a few questions and be guided to a provider who would be a good fit for you.
Which browsers are compatible with IRS Free File ?
Generally speaking, IRS Free File is compatible with Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. If you're not very computer savvy or if you're using outdated hardware, like an outdated browser, you can also feel out of place. They have a history of causing issues with printing and displaying. You also require a working email address.