The IRS has partnered with various tax preparation software to make it easy and free for certain taxpayers to file their tax returns. Taxpayers who file their taxes themselves should know about the IRS Free File program that allows taxpayers to file federal income tax at no cost.
IRS Free File 2025
However, the IRS has Free File programs for certain taxpayers who meet certain conditions where they can file their tax return for free and easily. The Free File program is the IRS’s effort to make tax filing easy and secure for everyone. Under the Free File program, taxpayers file tax returns through the guided tax preparation software.
The program is a private-public partnership between many tax preparation software companies and the IRS to ensure free filing and tax preparation for taxpayers. Under the program, taxpayers have two ways to file their income tax return, such as:
- Guided Tax Software, where taxpayers can file taxes online at IRS partner sites or prepare taxes for free.
- Free File Fillable Form: It is a Form 1040 electronically form to file federal income taxes.
Who can use the IRS Free File in 2025?
The IRS has initiated the Free File program to ensure that qualified taxpayers can file their tax returns without paying for tax preparation and assistance from the tax guiding software. Taxpayers who meet the following income threshold can use the Free File to complete their tax liabilities:
- Guided tax software: Taxpayers whose Adjusted Gross Income is $79,000 or less can use the Guided Software to file their taxes under the IRS Free file program. The IRS partner tax preparation software will guide you in calculating your taxes and deductions to file taxes with trusted partners.
- Fillable Form: The e-file forms tax filing option is available for taxpayers who do not qualify for the Guided tax software and have an AGI above $79,000. The Fillable options do not provide any guidance over tax calculations and help in preparing state taxes.
Benefits of using IRS Free file
IRS thrives to make the tax filing process better and seamless for taxpayers, IRS Free File is a part of the effort, let’s see how the program benefits you:
- When you select IRS Free File companies Free File offers to file taxes listed on the official website of the IRS and qualify for the program you can file the tax and prepare for the tax without paying any cost to tax preparing companies who offer such software.
- If you used the IRS Free File last year, you will receive an email from the same company to welcome you back with a link and assist you in filing taxes. When you qualify for the program you don’t have to pay the fee to use the software to prepare for your taxes.
- With federal income tax preparation and filing, the program assists taxpayers with their state tax preparation as well as free (only some companies not all).
- The software ensures accuracy in tax calculation and refund calculation, so the taxpayers do not have to worry about directly filing the tax return.
- If you don’t qualify for the IRS Free File offer after going through the partner’s website, you can come back to the IRS Free File and find which company fits your needs.
- If you can’t find the Free file companies, you can use the IRS Free File online look-up tool to look for a company that fits well with your tax needs.
- If you are having any problem filing your taxes, you can seek help from the partner’s site customer executive and complete your tax responsibilities.
Supportive Document you will need to IRS Free File
Taxpayers should prepare the following documents before filing their tax return for the 2024 tax year:
- Valid Social Security Number of yours, your spouse (if applicable), dependent (if any)
- To know your AGI, your last year’s tax return copy
- Your Income resources and receipts, such as social security benefits, business receipts, income receipts from real estate, partnerships, trusts, etc.
- Your other income information, such as annual wages (W-2), interest paid throughout the whole year (Form 1099-INT), dividends and distributions from retirement plans (Form 1099-DIV and Form 1099-R), and credit/ refund or taxes offset (Form 1099-G).
- ACA files (if applicable)
How can you file your 2024 taxes through the IRS Free File?
Taxpayers who wish to file their federal income tax return through the IRS Free File program, should first confirm their income threshold and qualifications for the guided tax software or Fillable forms and follow the below instructions to file their taxes:
- When you visit the IRS official website and choose the IRS Free File option to file your income tax return (Guided tax software or Fillable Forms).
- When you opt for the Free File, you will be directed to the IRS partner’s website and create your account on the website or log in with your previous login credentials if you have already used them to file your tax return.
- Next, start preparing your taxes with the relevant information and file the tax returns.
- You will know through the email notification about the IRS receiving your federal income tax returns.
When you file for federal income tax returns you should know if you qualify for the Free File or not to utilize the free options to use leading tax preparation software to assist you in fulfilling your tax responsibility.
