The Trump administration pulled the plug on IRS Direct File, a pilot program allowing taxpayers to file federal tax returns for free. But there are still many no-cost filing options available, especially if you have a simple return.
Some are government programs or partnerships with private entities, while others are offered by tax-prep companies, credit card issuers and banking apps.
Expert Assist plan includes unlimited assistance and final review. Expert Full Service includes a dedicated expert to complete and file your return.
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Terms Apply. Free version: TurboTax Free Edition. Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules, except for EITC, CTC, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A). TurboTax reports that 37% of filers qualify for the free edition.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
The Deluxe plan comes with priority support and live chat, while the Pro Support tier adds access to a tax pro, phone support, live screen share and help on federal and state returns
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Xpert Assist is available with any plan for a flat fee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Terms Apply
1. IRS Free File
IRS Free File is a no-cost online service for filers who had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $89,000 or less in 2025. A partnership between the IRS and leading tax prep sites, including TaxSlayer and FreeTaxUSA, Free File allows users to choose which company to work with based on their income, location and filing needs. Some partners also offer free state filing.
The program is a bit of a sleeper: Close to 70% of Americans qualified for IRS Free File in 2024, according to the Taxpayer Advocate, but less than 5% used it.
If you don't meet the income requirement for Free File, you can still use the site's fillable forms. There's no guidance and only limited calculations, but you can still fill out the free electronic forms using IRS instructions. This option doesn't include any state tax preparation.
2. Free online tax software
Many top tax software companies have free plans for simple returns, though they're usually light on features and support.
TurboTax's free edition lets you report W-2 income, the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, deductions for student loan interest and some interest and dividends. According to TurboTax, about 37% of filers qualify to use its free plan.
TurboTax
Free version
Switch to TurboTax and file 100% free using Do It Yourself in the app by 2/28. To qualify, you must start and file your taxes in the mobile app, use the Do It Yourself product, must not have filed your taxes using TurboTax last year, and must file this year's taxes by February 28, 2026. This differs from TurboTax Free Edition, which is a tax filing product that's available year round on the web or the app.*
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
Expert Assist plan includes unlimited assistance and final review. Expert Full Service includes a dedicated expert to complete and file your return.
Tax refund advance loan
Yes
Read our review of TurboTax tax software.
*TurboTax Free Edition: Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules, except for EITC, CTC, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A). TurboTax reports that 37% of filers qualify for the free edition.
Through Feb. 28, TurboTax will process any state and federal return, no matter how complex, if you file using the TurboTax or CreditKarma mobile app. The only hitch is that you can't have filed with TurboTax last year.
H&R Block has a free tier for simple returns that's a good option if you're a W-2 employee, reporting income from unemployment insurance or claiming earned income credits. It can be used to file both state and federal returns.
H&R Block
Free version
Yes
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
Live chat available with all paid plans
Tax refund advance loan
Yes
Read our H&R Block tax software review
While both TurboTax and H&R Block are among CNBC Select's top-rated tax software programs, their free versions won't process complicated returns. FreeTaxUSA supports tax forms that other no-cost options don't — including those for itemized deductions, income from investments and HSA contributions. (Federal filing is free, while state returns are $15.99 each.)
FreeTaxUSA
Free version
Free federal filing for nearly all tax situations. Filers can itemize deductions; claim the earned income tax credit, child tax credit and student loan interest; and report income from stocks, crypto and other investments, rental properties, gambling and more.
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
The Deluxe plan comes with priority support and live chat, while the Pro Support tier adds access to a tax pro, phone support, live screen share and help on federal and state returns
Tax refund advance loan
No
3. Banking apps and credit cards
A growing number of banking apps and credit cards are partnering with B2B tax technology companies to make free filing available to their customers. PayPal partnered with AI-powered April to enable PayPal Debit Mastercard cardholders to file federal and state returns at no charge. Users can receive federal tax refunds up to five days early with PayPal Direct Deposit, or put the funds into PayPal Savings, a no-fee, high-yield savings account provided by Synchrony Bank. Â
The PayPal Debit Card allows you to earn up to 5% cash back in everyday spending categories, which is rarer for a debit card.
Cash App processes both federal and state taxes for free through Cash App Taxes, with no upselling or rerouting to paid tiers.
Cash App Taxes
Free version
Yes
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
No
Tax refund advance loan
No
Read our review of Cash App Taxes
Banking app Chime* also offers free state and federal filing through April. Account holders who set up direct deposit can get their refund up to six days early.
MoneyLion offers free federal and state tax filing for customers with a RoarMoney account. Thanks to a partnership with April, users can submit W-2, unemployment and investment income.
4. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free in-person tax preparation to individuals with an income of $67,000 or less, who have disabilities or with limited English skills.
You'll need to go in person, but VITA sites are generally located in libraries, schools, shopping malls and other neighborhood locations. (You can find local providers here.)
5. Tax Counseling for the Elderly
Another IRS-backed program, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sponsors free nonprofit and community tax preparation for filers 60 and older. Trained volunteers will help prepare simple returns and can answer retirement-related questions. (Some locations also offer self-filing options.)
Check the IRS website or AARP Tax-Aide site locator tool to find a TCE-affiliated location in your area or call 888-227-7669.
6. MilTax
Sponsored by the Department of Defense, MilTax is a tax software program for U.S. service members, veterans and their families, with details on how to file in multiple states, how to report deployment and combat pay, and more.
Eligible filers can electronically submit a federal return and up to three state returns free of charge.
Tax filing FAQs
When are taxes due?
For most taxpayers, the deadline to file a federal tax return is Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at midnight local time. Residents and businesses in parts of the country declared FEMA disaster areas have more time.
What happens if you don't pay your taxes?
If you don't have the money to pay your tax bill, you can ask the IRS for a short-term extension of up to 120 days or request a payment plan that will allow you to spread out the debt over months or years. You may also apply for an offer in compromise, but the odds of approval are not good. If you can prove financial hardship, you may be able to qualify for "currently not collectible status" and avoid having to pay until your circumstances improve.
When are state taxes due?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not collect state income taxes. In most other states, the deadline to file is also April 15, 2026, at midnight local time.
These states have different due dates:
- Hawaii: April 21, 2026
- Delaware: April 30, 2026
- Iowa: April 30, 2026
- Virginia: May 1, 2026
- Louisiana: May 15, 2026
For more information, consult with your state Department of Revenue.
Can I file my tax return by myself?
While the IRS recommends working with a tax professional or using tax software to ensure the most accurate returns, you can print out the relevant 1040, complete it by hand and mail it in to the IRS. The address depends on the form you are submitting and whether you are including payment. The full list of addresses is on the IRS website.
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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every tax guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax services. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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