Free File is a free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing program for eligible taxpayers, developed through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance, a group of private sector tax software companies. You may access free commercial online tax preparation and electronic filing services through www.IRS.gov/freefile. Eligible taxpayers may prepare and file their federal income tax returns using commercial online software provided by the Free File Alliance companies – not the IRS. Since Free File’s debut in 2003, more than 71 million returns have been filed through the program, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Free File is made possible by a multi-year agreement between the IRS and the Free File Alliance (Free File, Inc., a 501(c)(4) nonprofit) to provide free tax services for 70 percent of U.S. taxpayers. Previously, free tax offerings were not consistently available and were subject to modification or discontinuation from year to year.

Through Free File, taxpayers have access to a wide range of free options from industry-leading tax software companies that are members of the Free File Alliance. Free File (at www.IRS.gov/freefile) provides access to all these free offerings in a single location.

Free File Alliance member companies offer both free federal tax preparation and e-filing services at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Previously, some companies charged for preparation (filling of forms and tax calculations) while offering the transmission for free, or provided the preparation free while charging for transmission, or some variation thereof. Under the IRS-Free File Alliance Tax Agreement, both are free to eligible taxpayers.

On October 30, 2002, a public-private partnership agreement was officially signed between the IRS and the Free File Alliance. The IRS and the Free File Alliance have reached subsequent agreements to continue the Free File program. To review the current agreement in its entirety, refer to:

Ninth Memorandum of Understanding Between IRS & Free File

1. Increase growth of e-filing in pursuit of the IRS' Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA ’98) goal of having 80% of all returns received electronically by 2007;
2. Provide more free online tax filing options to taxpayers;
3. Make tax filing and preparation easier and reduce the burden on individual taxpayers; and
4. Provide greater access to taxpayers.

The government believes private industry, given its established expertise and experience in the field of electronic tax preparation, has a proven track record in providing the best technology and services available. The government believes a partnership with private industry will provide taxpayers with higher quality services by using the existing expertise of the private sector; maximize consumer choice; promote competition within the marketplace; and meet objectives in the least costly manner to taxpayers.

In November of 2001, the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Quicksilver Task Force established 24 e-government initiatives that were a part of the President’s Management Agenda. These initiatives were designed to improve Government to Government, Government to Business, and Government to Citizen electronic capabilities.

One initiative, IRS Free File, instructed the IRS to provide free and secure online tax return preparation and filing services to taxpayers. In accordance with this OMB directive, the IRS began working in partnership with the tax software industry to develop a solution. The result was the formation of the Free File Alliance, a group of tax software companies who provide free commercial online tax preparation and electronic filing services.

Yes, Free File is easy to use. An interactive “Find Your Trusted Partner(s)” tool is available to help you identify the tax software offering that works best for your tax situation. Once you select an offering, you will be transferred to the company's site for step-by-step tax preparation and e-filing assistance.

Once the return is complete and e-filed, an acknowledgment notifying the taxpayer that the return has been accepted or rejected will be sent via e-mail from the tax software provider

Yes. The Free File program is free for qualifying taxpayers (those with a 2023 AGI of $79,000 or less). To use Free File, you must start by going to www.IRS.gov/freefile. By going directly to a company’s website and not through the IRS.gov Free File pages, you may be charged a fee.

While fees may apply to state return preparation and e-filing, some companies offer free state tax return services for free in participating states. You are under no obligation to buy any of the company’s other products or services.

Using Free File is fast, easy, and safe. Other Free File benefits include:

• Services that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
• Faster refunds – Free File, when used with the direct deposit, is the fastest way to get your refund;
• A paperless process using electronic signatures by using the self-select PIN;
• Software programs that are constantly updated to give you the most up to date information to complete your return accurately; and
• Acknowledgement that your return was received.

Yes. The free services are provided via the Internet. Taxpayers enter data and calculations are performed online. Completed tax returns will be sent electronically from the tax software company to the IRS through the existing e-file system using secure technologies.

Taxpayers can also use their smart phones or tablets to electronically prepare and file their federal and state tax returns through IRS Free File. Taxpayers may access the products using mobile devices in two ways: (1) Use the IRS2Go app, which has a link to the Free File Software Lookup Tool or (2) use the device's browser to go to www.IRS.gov/freefile. The IRS2Go app is available for Android and iOS devices.

Free File is an online tax software program that uses the Internet. If you don’t have access to a computer at home or work consider using a computer at your local library, college, university, library, or senior community center. Kiosks carrying Free File software are available at some Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. The IRS continues to work with existing community-based coalitions to expand computer access to taxpayers without home computers.

Taxpayers can also use their smart phones or tablets to electronically prepare and file their federal and state tax returns through IRS Free File. Taxpayers may access the products using mobile devices in two ways: (1) Use the IRS2Go app, which has a link to the Free File Software Lookup Tool or (2) use the device's browser to go to www.IRS.gov/freefile. The IRS2Go app is available for Android and iOS devices.

The self-select PIN is a paperless process using electronic signatures. This method allows you to electronically sign your e-filed return by selecting a five-digit PIN. The five-digit PIN can be any five numbers except all zeros and eliminates the requirement for mailing to the IRS, the Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return. When the self-select PIN is chosen, no signature documents are required to be mailed to the IRS making the process truly paperless.

To use Free File, you must first visit www.IRS.gov/freefile. Click the "Start Now" button to review the list of tax software companies and select one that best suits your needs, or use the "Find Your Trusted Partner(s)" tool for assistance.

Once you select a company link from the list, you will be notified you are leaving the IRS.gov website, and you will be taken directly to the Free File member company's website to begin preparation of your federal income tax return. Remember, you must access the company through the IRS.gov website (www.IRS.gov/freefile) to use Free File.

Free File preparation and e-filing assistance is available to taxpayers who have a 2023 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $79,000 or less. However, each participating software company sets its own eligibility requirements, which may be limited to specific states and include other criteria. Carefully review the Free File offerings before selecting the company, or use the "Help Me Find Free File Software" tool for assistance.

If your income exceeds $79,000, you may use Free File Fillable Forms. This basic e-filing service includes no preparation software assistance. It is best for people experienced in preparing their own tax returns.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is defined as gross income minus adjustments to income. Gross income includes your wages, dividends, capital gains, business income, retirement distributions as well as other income. Adjustments to Income include such items as Educator expenses, Student loan interest, Alimony payments or contributions to a retirement account. Your AGI will never be more than your Gross Total Income on your return and in some cases may be lower. Refer to the 1040 instructions (Schedule 1)PDF for more information.

If you are filing using the Married Filing Jointly filing status, the $79,000 AGI limitation applies to the AGI for both of you combined.

To e-file your federal tax return, you must verify your identity with your AGI or your self-select PIN from your 2022 tax return.

Use your age as of December 31, 2023.

Any armed forces, federal reservist and National Guard personnel whose AGI is $79,000 or less are eligible for Free Filing. Veterans and retirees are not automatically eligible. You or your spouse must have a 2023 Form W2, Wage and Tax Statement from one of the military services.

Will you qualify for the EITC this year? Tired of guessing? Don’t guess. There’s a lot to know about qualifying for EITC, but the most important thing to know is that you can get help figuring it all out, just go to EITC Assistant      

The  EITC Assistant is a convenient way for you to find out if you are likely to qualify for the EITC tax credit by answering questions online, about yourself, your children, your living situation, and your income.

For additional information about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), search IRS.gov for EITC Questions and Answers.

It depends. Some services such as electronic transfer or direct debit from your bank account may be for free. You may also pay by check or money order. You may authorize an electronic funds withdrawal, using a credit card or enroll in the U.S. Treasury’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System  (EFTPS). If you owe taxes, there may be a “convenience fee” if you use a credit card. Check the company’s website for payment options and possible fees if you owe money on your tax return.

Many Free File alliance members will provide state tax preparation software for free or for a fee.

When using the "Find Your Trusted Partner(s)" tool at www.IRS.gov/freefile, select the state that you will use for state income tax return purposes. If you want to use the same company to prepare your state return as you plan to use for your federal, then select the state that you will use for preparing your state income tax return. The resulting companies that will be displayed for you will include companies that offer software preparation and e-filing for your state tax return.

No. While most companies that you select to prepare your federal return will support your state income tax return, some may not. Before you select a company, you may want to use the "Find Your Trusted Partner(s)" tool on IRS.gov/freefile to determine which companies offer state tax preparation and e-filing services for your state.

Some participating Free File Alliance companies offer free state tax return preparation and e-filing services through partnerships with participating state programs. Other companies charge a fee for state tax return preparation and e-filing. Applicable state fees are listed on each Free File member company’s website.

Yes, you may use Free File if you need to file for an extension. Many of the companies offer extensions for free. You may e-file your extension using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

For assistance in answering your general federal income tax law questions, please refer to the IRS Help with Tax Questions page. Use this link to ask the IRS general tax law questions related to filing tax returns – such as what to file, when to file, where to file, whom you can claim, what you can deduct, changes in tax law, etc.

• If you have a technical question about the IRS.gov Free File site, need assistance navigating the site, or wish to report a Free File issue, please visit the IRS support page to contact the IRS.
• If you have a specific question about your Free File return, contact your chosen software provider. All Free File Alliance members have customer service contact information on their websites.
• If you used Free File Fillable Forms, refer to the IRS Help For Free File Fillable Forms Users.

Yes, Free File uses secure technologies. The Free File companies' proprietary software is approved by IRS. All Free File companies obtain third-party privacy and security certificates. Taxpayers enter tax information in a secure session, and the Free File companies transmit tax returns using secure technologies. Taxpayers will receive an email from the Free File company stating whether the return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS.

In addition, the Free File tax software companies must comply with all federal rules governing e-filing and regulations covering taxpayer privacy. The companies may not disclose or use tax return information for purposes other than tax return preparation without the knowing, informed and voluntary consent of the taxpayer. These companies are also subject to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Privacy and Safeguards Rules.

If taxpayers choose to use the "Help Me Find Free File Software" tool on IRS.gov to help identify the most useful Free File offering, that information will remain entirely anonymous and will not be retained by the IRS.

No. As part of the agreement, the Free File Alliance companies must adhere to the strict privacy standards of the IRS. Only with your permission and in accordance with Treasury regulations may the company disclose your tax return information.

The information you provide through the "Help Me Find Free File Software" button is only used to determine the free services for which you may qualify. The information is entirely anonymous and will not be retained or used for any determination of tax liability. IRS policy prohibits the use of permanent Internet cookies. In order to assist you or to identify you to make certain you are the correct recipient of information you requested, we may use “temporary” or “session” cookies. These are deleted when your Internet visit ends. No information about you is maintained as a result of a temporary or session cookie.