Please read first General information only — not tax advice. This page does not decide whether you qualify for any program. Each program's own terms, stated on IRS.gov, are what count.
Free Tax Filing

The IRS routes, explained

Five real ways to file a federal tax return for free, in plain words — what each one is, and who each one is for.

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There really are free ways to file a federal return. Four of these routes come from the IRS. The fifth, MilTax, is a Department of Defense program for the military community.

This page walks through each route, one at a time. It uses only what the IRS itself says on IRS.gov.

One speed tip from the IRS: filing electronically is the fastest way to file, and choosing direct deposit gets a refund faster.

Free File — guided software

Do it yourself, with software that walks you through it

IRS Free File is a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of tax software companies. It is available only through IRS.gov.

  • Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less can prepare and file their federal tax return free with guided software. That figure is for 2025 income, in the 2026 filing season.
  • You must start from the IRS Free File page on IRS.gov to get the free deal. In the IRS's words, taxpayers must begin their return from the IRS Free File page on IRS.gov to ensure free access.
  • Going straight to a software company's own website can put you in its paid product instead.
  • Each Free File partner sets some of its own extra rules — for example, age or state. So one partner's offer may fit while another's doesn't.
  • Some partners also offer free state tax return preparation and filing. Not all do. Check the offer before you start.
Start at the IRS Free File page: irs.gov/freefile

Free File Fillable Forms

Do it yourself, on the forms — no guidance
  • These forms are open to everyone, regardless of income.
  • They are electronic versions of the paper forms.
  • They do only basic math.
  • They give no step-by-step guidance.
  • They are for people comfortable preparing their own return.
Find them through the IRS Free File page: irs.gov/freefile

VITA — free help from volunteers

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

VITA offers free basic tax return preparation by IRS-certified volunteers.

  • The IRS does not set one program-wide income limit. Individual VITA sites may set their own.
  • The program generally serves people who make about $70,244 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
  • To find a site, use the IRS VITA/TCE Site Locator, or call 800-906-9887.
Read about VITA on IRS.gov

TCE — free help for older taxpayers

Tax Counseling for the Elderly
  • TCE offers free tax help particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older.
  • It specializes in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues.
  • Sites can be found with the IRS VITA/TCE Site Locator.
Read about TCE on IRS.gov

MilTax — for military members

A Department of Defense program, through Military OneSource
  • MilTax is a Department of Defense program offered through Military OneSource.
  • Active-duty and reserve military members, including the U.S. Coast Guard, and certain veterans can prepare and e-file a federal tax return for free.
  • They can also e-file up to five state returns for free.

Watch out

  • The free deal only holds if you start at IRS.gov. Begin on the IRS Free File page. Starting on a software company's own site can land you in a paid product.
  • A state return may cost extra. Some Free File partners include a free state return, and some do not. Check the partner's offer before you start.
  • Lookalike “free” offers elsewhere are not IRS Free File. IRS Free File is available only through IRS.gov.

Which route sounds like you?

Here is each route again, in its own stated terms. Only the program's own terms, on IRS.gov, decide who each route covers.

  • Free File guided softwareFor taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less — with each partner's own extra rules, such as age or state, also in the offer.
  • Free File Fillable FormsOpen to everyone regardless of income — electronic paper forms, basic math only, no step-by-step guidance.
  • VITAFree basic return preparation by IRS-certified volunteers, generally serving people who make about $70,244 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. Individual sites may set their own income limits.
  • TCEFree tax help particularly for those 60 years of age and older, specializing in pensions and retirement-related questions.
  • MilTaxFor active-duty and reserve military members, including the U.S. Coast Guard, and certain veterans — a free federal return and up to five state returns.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official IRS pages:

Checked November 2026.

One more time General information only — not tax advice. This page does not decide whether you qualify for any program. Each program's own terms, stated on IRS.gov, are what count.