- Your tax forms (W-2s, 1099s)
- Last year's tax return
- About 10 minutes to find your free option
Official links
Who qualifies
For 2026 tax returns (filed in early 2027), people with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $95,000 or less (it was $89,000 for 2025 returns). Each partner adds its own rules (age, state).
What you get
Free guided tax software from 8 IRS partner companies for your federal return; some do state returns free too.
After the free part
Free if you start at IRS.gov/freefile and qualify. Free File closed for 2025 returns on October 15, 2026; it reopens in January 2027.
Check the income limit
IRS Free File gives free guided tax software to people under an income limit. Free File closed for the year on October 15, 2026 and reopens in January 2027. For 2026 tax returns (filed in 2027), IRS.gov lists an adjusted gross income (AGI) limit of $95,000 or less (it was $89,000 for 2025 returns). Check IRS.gov/freefile again when it reopens.
Always start on the IRS website
Type IRS.gov/freefile yourself and pick a company from that page. If you go straight to a tax company's own website, you may be charged, even for the same company.
Pick the right partner
Each Free File partner sets its own rules, such as age, income and state. Some also do your state return free. Use the IRS's Help me find tool or read each offer before you start.
Over the limit? Other free options
- Free File Fillable Forms: free electronic IRS forms for any income, but with no step-by-step help.
- VITA and TCE: free in-person help from IRS-certified volunteers for people who qualify, including older adults. Find a site on IRS.gov.
- MilTax: free for eligible members of the military community.
- IRS Direct File is not available: the IRS closed that pilot and did not offer it in 2026. Ignore older articles that still recommend it.
Spot tax scams
⚠️ Careful: The IRS doesn't start contact by text, email or social media to ask for personal or financial information, and it never demands payment by gift card. Real free programs never ask for your card or bank details to give you something free, never pressure you with a countdown, and never come from a random text, pop-up or caller. Go to the official website yourself instead of tapping a link.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Who | Help you get |
|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File | AGI $95,000 or less | Step-by-step software |
| Free File Fillable Forms | Any income | Blank forms, no guidance |
| VITA and TCE | Lower income, 60+, disability, limited English | Free in-person volunteers |
| MilTax | Eligible military community | Free software and help |
| IRS Direct File | Not available | Closed; not offered in 2026 |
The real address is IRS.gov/freefile. Type it yourself or use the buttons above. Fake sites use names like irs-freefile.com, irs-tax-refund-help.net (examples only, do not visit). A real free program never asks for your card or bank details to “unlock” it.
Going straight to a tax company's own site can cost money, even with the same company. Start at IRS.gov/freefile.
Why we trust this: Income limit, partner count and dates come from the IRS's own Free File pages and news releases, checked October 2026.
Related game: Scam or Legit?. Related explainer: What is phishing, and how do I spot it? .