Best Free Tax Software of 2025

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Paying taxes is hard enough — but paying a fee to pay your taxes just adds insult to injury.

The good news is that millions of taxpayers can file their federal returns — and even their state returns — without paying a single penny extra. 

Before you pay to file your returns for tax year 2024, consider the many competing software services that let you settle up with the IRS for free. The following is a roundup of the top eight free tax software providers to complete your 2024 tax returns at no cost.

Each has different features, qualifying criteria and restrictions, so know which forms you’ll use, which credits and deductions you’ll claim and which income sources you’ll need to report before you decide.

Key Features to Look for in Free Tax Software

Make sure to pick a reputable provider. When you find a few you like, Google their names with terms like “fraud,” “lawsuit” or “scam.” 

For example, one major software provider recently settled a lawsuit with attorneys general in all 50 states for using misleading advertising that made taxpayers believe they were eligible for free services even if they weren’t. 

Key features to look for include: 

• Support for all the forms, documents, credits, deductions, income sources and situations that apply to you. 
• Seamless uploading of returns from previous years.
• Timely e-file status updates
• Refund calculator that updates as you input 

How Long Does It Take to File Taxes with Free Software?

Everyone’s tax situation is unique and every taxpayer files their returns at their own pace. However, if you qualify to use free tax software, it’s likely that you’re filing a simple return, i.e., a Form 1040 with employee-based wages, standard deductions, minimal supplementary income, etc.

With that in mind, H&R Block estimates that most people filing simple returns can wrap things up within two hours. 

What Happens If I Make a Mistake Using Free Tax Software?

No matter how you file or how much or little you pay for the service, you must correct any errors with the IRS. To do this, you’ll have to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. Failure to do so can result in interest charges and other penalties. 

The Best Free Tax Software

Here’s a look at the eight best free tax software options that you can use right now to help you minimize your tax obligation, maximize your refund and avoid costly errors.

1. IRS Free File
2. TurboTax Free Edition
3. H&R Block Free Online
4. TaxAct Free
5. Cash App Taxes
6. FreeTaxUSA
7. TaxSlayer Simply Free
8. MilTax

Keep reading to learn more about each of these options to find the right one for you.

1. IRS Free File

When choosing free tax software, why not go right to the source? The IRS Free File program provides taxpayers with state-of-the-art tax preparation software through an organization called the Free File Alliance. A number of commercial software companies are members of the alliance, including TaxAct and TaxSlayer.

Every year, millions of taxpayers use Free File to quickly, safely and accurately complete their returns. For tax year 2024, filers with incomes of $79,000 and below can take advantage of the guided tax preparation option and file a federal return electronically for free via an IRS partner site.

Good To Know

Those with incomes over the $79,000 threshold can still use the IRS site to complete their federal returns through Free File Fillable Forms. The IRS provides free electronic federal tax forms that anyone can use for free, but higher earners must know how to prepare their own tax returns using IRS publications and form instructions.

2. TurboTax Free Edition

TurboTax receives consistently high marks from users who appreciate its easy-to-use interface. The free version of this popular software includes many of the same features that are included in the paid editions. In the event of an IRS audit, TurboTax offers guidance and advice from an experienced tax professional.

TurboTax Free Edition is ideal for customers who have W-2 income and take the standard deduction. Taxpayers who itemize deductions or have different types of income can still file online or download the TurboTax Deluxe, Premier or Self-Employed bundles for a fee.

3. H&R Block Free Online

H&R Block stands behind all of its tax preparation software, including H&R Block Free Online, with a maximum refund guarantee, professional audit support and a promise of 100% accuracy. As with its paid software, H&R Block’s free online option uses an interactive Q&A interface to guide taxpayers through the filing process. Although some users report that it might not be as easy to use as TurboTax, it remains an excellent choice for taxpayers looking for the best free tax software.

Users who don’t meet the qualifications for free filing can receive in-person service at a local H&R Block office or can purchase more comprehensive versions of H&R Block software for a fee, depending on how complicated their tax situation is. 

4. TaxAct Free

TaxAct guarantees the accuracy of all versions of its software, including the free one, and it also guarantees you’ll get your maximum refund when you use TaxAct to e-file your returns. Geared toward simplifying the process of preparing and filing your returns, TaxAct gives returning customers a head start by importing data straight from last year’s return. Before you file, TaxAct Alerts will double-check your return to ensure that it’s error-free and takes advantage of every tax break for which you qualify. Plus, it offers audit protection. 

The free version of TaxAct is suitable for filers with W-2, unemployment or retirement income, and you can use it to claim deductions or credits for dependents and college expenses.

5. Cash App Taxes

To use Cash App Taxes, you can simply download Cash App to your phone and create an account. Then you can do your return on your phone, using the app or your computer. There’s now the added benefit of Cash App features like peer-to-peer payments, cash management and investing tools.

Unfortunately, not all tax forms are supported by the platform, so not all filers will be able to use the service.

6. FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA has a history dating back to 2001 as a founding member organization of the Free File Alliance. State returns cost $14.99 and users have to fill out many tax forms manually, but beyond that, there’s not much to dislike about FreeTaxUSA. 

It’s a logical choice for those with simple returns and an ever more logical choice for taxpayers with more complex needs. For example, the site is free, even for those with:

• Unemployment income
• Dependents
• Multiple 1099 forms
• Crypto transactions
• Rental properties
• Health savings accounts
• Self-employment income
• Retirement distributions
• Covered under FreeTaxUSA’s free service

Any one of those situations could bump you into a paid tier with competitors like TaxSlayer, TurboTax and H&R Block. 

7. TaxSlayer Simply Free

Only those with the most basic returns qualify for TaxSlayer Simply Free, which lets users file both federal and state returns for free but limits them to W-2 income, student debt deductions and not much else.

For example, those who claim the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit will have to pay to play, and the free version isn’t available to anyone earning $100,000 or more, including side hustles or unemployment income. 

8. MilTax

MilTax is a free resource that the Department of Defense provides for the military community. It’s a suite of tax services available for qualifying military personnel, veterans and their families with no income limits or restrictions on income types. MilTax was designed with the complexities of military life in mind, including training and combat pay, housing, rentals, deployments and multi-state filings. The suite includes personal tax support from professional consultants, electronic filing software and tax preparation services. 

Which Is the Best Free Tax Software for You?

As long as your tax situation is relatively simple, you can take advantage of some of the best free tax preparation software and e-file options that are available online via these reputable providers. Which one is best depends on your tax situation and your level of comfort using software to complete your returns.

Alicia Bodine and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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