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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The IRS has removed its free Direct File option for taxes.
- Most taxpayers can use the official Free File program.
- There are several other ways to file taxes for no charge.
Tax filing season officially begins on Monday, January 26. If you missed the news last year, the IRS has ended its Direct File Service. My home state joined the program in 2025, and while it wasn’t the only free option for filing taxes, I can attest it was absolutely the easiest — especially if your tax situation goes beyond basic W-2 forms. (I was surprised to learn that fewer than 300,000 people used the service last year.)
Also: The best tax software for a stress-free tax season
Fortunately, you still have options. In fact, the majority of people can take advantage of another IRS program that’s been around a lot longer than Direct File. Beyond that, there are other alternatives, rather than just choosing one of the big names and handing over your hard-earned money for tax preparation services that you don’t really need. Here’s a look at the best free ways to file taxes in 2026 for your 2025 income.
1. IRS Free File
Around 70% of taxpayers can use IRS Free File, making it the best option behind Direct File. Free File lets you file your federal taxes through one of eight approved partners at no cost. The biggest caveat, though, is that you can only use it if your adjusted gross income was $89,000 or less for 2025 (that’s for both individuals and families). Be sure to check your partner carefully, as the federal aspect is the same, but each one handles state returns differently.
You do have to start your tax prep through the IRS Free File page if you’re doing this. If you try to access a provider’s page directly, you won’t see the option.
Also: 5 ways AI can help you do your taxes – and 10 tax tasks you shouldn’t trust it with
One of the biggest advantages of Free File is that it covers complex tax situations, even letting you itemize deductions. Your big names like TurboTax and H&R Block offer “free” options on a base level, but they often charge if you go beyond the most basic of scenarios.
2. VITA and TCE
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) are both official IRS programs that offer free tax filing for qualified individuals. VITA specifically works with people who make $69,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers, while TCE is for those 60 years of age and older and specializes in retirement-related issues.
You will need to go to the physical site of an affiliated organization to use this option, usually a community center or library. You can find your closest option with the VITA/TCE locator tool. The biggest advantage to this option is that you’ll have a trained professional helping you file, so it’s a great choice if you’re unsure about the process. Some sites require an appointment, and some do not.
3. Free third-party services
Two third-party services, CashApp Taxes and FreeTaxUSA, are also excellent options for filing your taxes at no charge. Both support a variety of complex scenarios, including W-2s and 1099s, and while FreeTaxUSA charges $16 to file a state return, CashApp includes it for no charge.
These two options are best if you have an AGI of more than $89,000, if your situation is more complicated than a basic W-2, or if you want to handle both federal and state returns at once.
Also: No, the IRS didn’t text or email you – 3 ways to protect yourself from scams
One caveat about these methods is that they have fewer guardrails than paid services. They both have processes to make sure you’re on the right path, though, and most people shouldn’t have any trouble. I’ve used CashApp Taxes for the past several years before I used Direct File last year, and I always ran the numbers through FreeTaxUSA (without filing) to make sure they lined up.
4. Free fillable forms
If you’re comfortable doing things mostly on your own, you can utilize IRS free fillable forms. This option is open to almost all taxpayers, but it has very little guidance, so you’ll be doing calculations on your own. You won’t be able to file state taxes, but you can file your federal taxes completely free with this method.
