X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET
Advertiser Disclosure

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Advertiser Disclosure
CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

How the IRS Free File Program Really Works (and Its Limitations)

With two days left in 2024's tax filing season, Free File could be just what you need to get your taxes done on time.

Mary-Elisabeth Combs Associate Writer
Mary-Elisabeth is an associate writer on CNET's How-To team. She's a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill's English Department, and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. On the How-To team, she covers a little bit of everything. When she's not writing, she's catching up on Formula 1 or reading.
See full bio
Dan Avery Former Writer
Dan was a writer on CNET's How-To and Thought Leadership teams. His byline has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Architectural Digest and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.
Expertise Personal finance, government and policy, consumer affairs
See full bio
Mary-Elisabeth Combs , 
Dan Avery
3 min read
April 15th is Tax Day

Taxpayers who earn $79,000 or less qualify for free filing services.

 James Martin/CNET

The 2024 tax filing season will wrap up in just two days now, and the IRS has been steadily processing returns and delivering refunds to millions of Americans. If you've waited until the eleventh hour to file this year's taxes, you might want to check out this IRS program that enables millions of Americans to file their federal tax returns for free. 

CNET Tax Tips logo

IRS Free File is a partnership between the IRS and seven of the country's biggest online tax-prep companies. If your adjusted gross income was $79,000 or less in 2023, you are eligible to use Free File to process and submit a simple return for free. Some participating companies will even process your state return.

This story is part of Taxes 2024, CNET's coverage of the best tax software, tax tips and everything else you need to file your return and track your refund.

2024 has been a big year for Free File. This year, the program is seeing a year-over-year increase in use of nearly 10%. So far this filing season, 943,000 filers have taken advantage of the program. 

Here's everything to know about Free File: who qualifies for it, what it can do and what you'll need to take advantage of it. 

For more, check out the best tax software for 2024, our cheat sheet for filing your taxes this year and everything to know about the child tax credit in 2024. 

Best Tax Software for 2024 See at Cnet

What is IRS Free File?

IRS Free File is a nonprofit partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of commercial tax-prep companies that have agreed to process and file federal returns electronically at no charge. (Some may also offer free state returns.) 

If you use Free File, you'll be directed to one of these companies' sites to complete your return with step-by-step instructions.

  • 1040Now
  • Drake (1040.com)
  • ezTaxReturn.com (offers both English and Spanish)
  • FileYourTaxes.com
  • On-Line Taxes
  • TaxAct
  • TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA)
  • TaxSlayer

Note that Intuit Turbo Tax withdrew from the program in 2021.

Who qualifies for IRS Free File?

Participating tax-preparation providers set their own eligibility rules, but individuals whose adjusted gross income, or AGI, was $79,000 or less in 2023 will likely find an offer for which they qualify.

The system is only set up to process relatively simple returns.

If you make more than $79,000, the IRS still provides fillable forms to let you file your federal taxes online, although there is no step-by-step guidance.

How does IRS Free File work?

The Free File program can answer basic questions, perform calculations and file your federal return with the IRS.

"Our software offers step-by-step help to get your federal taxes done quickly, safely, securely and at absolutely no cost," Free File Alliance director Tim Hugo said in a statement. 

You can access the program on your computer, smartphone or tablet. It cannot be done in person or through the mail. In addition, Free File can't be used to submit returns for any year prior to 2023.

To file with IRS Free File, you'll need:

  • Income statements (W2s, 1099s, etc.)
  • Social Security numbers for you and any relevant spouse or dependents
  • Your 2021 tax return to access your adjusted gross income

Once you have your documentation, follow these steps: 

1. Go to the IRS Free File website.

2. Click the Use Free Guided Tax Preparation button. Then hit Find Your Trusted Partner tool to find an offer for the right product for you. Alternatively, you can use the Browse All Trusted Partners tool to review each offer.

3. Select the best product for you.

4. Follow the links to the provider's website to begin your tax return. 

Is IRS Free File really free?

According to the IRS, you can't be asked to buy any products or services in exchange for having a federal tax return prepared by a participant in the Free File program.

You may be charged to file a state return.

For more tax tips, here's how to find out when you'll get your 2024 tax refund and the fastest way to get your 2024 tax refund.