WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 15: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building stands on April 15, 2019 in … [+] Washington, DC. April 15 is the deadline in the United States for residents to file their income tax returns. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that IRS Free File tax software programs will be available starting Friday, January 10, 2025. Free File is a program designed to help eligible taxpayers prepare and file their federal tax returns at no cost.
For taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less, IRS Free Tax Software provides easy to use options for tax filers. This year, eight private-sector partners are participating in the program, with one offering support in Spanish.
If you’re looking for an option to file your taxes for free, IRS Free File programs could make a great choice if you qualify. Here’s what you need to know about this program.
How IRS Free File Works
IRS Free File is an IRS partnership with private tax software companies. Each tax software company establishes it’s own eligibility to use their free version — including age, income, state residency, and military status.
To access IRS Free File, taxpayers must visit the page on IRS.gov. From there, users can explore software options and begin preparing their returns. Make sure that you look at each of the qualifications for the Free File tier, since they do vary from company to company.
While the IRS will not begin processing returns until later this month, users can file early, and their returns will be held securely until processing starts.
For individuals completing their own taxes without tax software, the Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms, will be available beginning January 27. This option is open to taxpayers of all income levels.
What Companies Are Participating In IRS Free File?
For 2025, the participating companies are: 1040Now; 1040.com; ezTaxReturn.com; FileYourTaxes.com; On-Line Taxes; TaxAct; TaxHawk; and TaxSlayer.
ezTaxReturn is also providing a Spanish language version this year.
It’s important to note that you go though the IRS Free File website, and not these tax companies directly. The Free File option is only available through the IRS, and if you start for free at one of these services, you’ll wind up in their paid program if you don’t qualify for their free terms.
Important Reminders For Families
For families that don’t know if they qualify for IRS Free File, it’s important to remember that once you start on the free version via the IRS portal, you cannot simply upgrade to a paid version at the same company.
These programs created in partnership with the IRS are essentially separate from their main programs. As such, if you find yourself completing your return and unable to continue, you’ll have to restart elsewhere.
Make sure you that you have a good understand if you qualify before you start, so that you can avoid a headache later.
The Free File program is also separate from the new IRS Direct File Program, which is the IRS’s own tax filing software. This option will return in 2025, and will expand to more states as well.
Finally, the IRS says that most taxpayers should receive their tax refunds within 21 days. As such, families should try to avoid tax refund loans and simply work to get their tax returns prepared.
