The best free tax software of 2026

It costs Americans an average of about $290 to file a tax return, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Thankfully, most major tax software companies offer a free tier, so you don't have to pay for the privilege.

There are usually limitations — such as only being able to submit a simple return or not being able to include a state tax return. Still, in 2024, about a quarter of taxpayers used free commercial tax software or online services to file.

We evaluated more than a dozen DIY software platforms with free tiers to identify the best for a variety of situations. For more on how we made our picks, read our methodology.

Who's this for? Unlike most free options, FreeTaxUSA lets you itemize your return at no extra charge — allowing you to claim charitable donations, property taxes, mortgage interest and more. It'll also compare with the standard deduction to ensure you're getting the biggest break.

Free for: Federal tax returns. (State tax returns $15.99 extra.)

Standout features: Maximum refund and calculation accuracy guarantee included. Paid add-ons include expert guidance for state and federal audits, identity theft protection and debt relief consultations. You can also order a printed or professionally bound return.

Who's this for? TurboTax from Intuit guides you through each step of the filing process with straightforward questions and access to explainers, videos and bonus tips. Paid tiers include more live support and even the option to have a professional file for you.

Free for: Federal and state taxes for simple returns. Roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify for this free option, according to TurboTax.

Standout features: TurboTax guarantees 100% accuracy and the maximum possible refund, offering audit support and tax refund advance loans.

Who's this for? H&R Block's free tier doesn't let you itemize, but you can declare unemployment insurance income and limited interest/dividends, and take popular tax breaks like student loan interest, the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Free for: Federal and state taxes for simple returns

Standout benefits: Paid tiers come with support from H&R Block's AI Tax Assist feature, online chat with a tax professional and Worry-Free Audit Support. There are also thousands of H&R Block locations nationwide for in-person support.

Who's this for? TaxAct offers U.S.-based support with its on-demand Xpert Assist feature, which allows you to connect with a tax professional to answer questions and review your return before you file. Customer service is available 24/7 via phone or live chat.

Free for: Federal filing for simple returns. ( State returns are $39.99 to $62.99 per state.) Active-duty military with an AGI under $89,000 get free federal and state filing.

Standout features: The Deduction Maximizer tool reviews your forms and suggests appropriate tax breaks. If you're penalized because of a TaxAct made, the company will reimburse any fines or interest and cover legal and audit fees up to $100,000.

Who's this for? Need your refund to pay bills? Cash App Taxes filers can get their refunds six days earlier than a traditional bank if they set up direct deposit with a Cash App account.

Free for: State and federal returns with nearly every IRS form and schedule

Standout features: Free audit defense included with every return.

There are three main ways to file a tax return: A paper return sent through the mail, working with a tax professional or using tax-prep software.

Commercial tax-prep software programs are the preferred method for nearly half of all filers. They allow you to go at your own pace, with step-by-step guidance and access to professional support. 

Since most tax software companies offer both paid and no-cost plans, you'll need to decide if the free tier has the options you need or if you need to opt for a paid tier.

Once you make your selection, you'll be prompted to answer questions about your finances for the year and upload relevant tax forms. Most companies will offer to file your return to the IRS or state revenue department on your behalf. If you got an early start, the system may have to wait until tax filing season officially begins.

Whether you use free tax software or not, you should also be able to arrange to have your tax refund deposited intro your account, as well.

You have a lot of tax-prep options, both cloud-based and desktop. When deciding on the right package, here's what to look for.  

Value

With price off the table, you should think about what you're getting for nothing. Some companies lure you in with the promise of a free return, only to reveal you don't qualify and press you to order a paid plan.

You may also have to pay extra to have both your state and federal returns processed. Before shopping for tax software, decide if:

• You'll be itemizing or taking the standard deduction
• You're self-employed or have income from many sources
• You need to file in more than one state
• You need assistance from a tax expert 

In many cases, that may determine which free plan you select.

Ease of use

Is the interface intuitive? Can you upload the previous years' tax documents? Are you guided through the process with straightforward questions? Read customer reviews both on the website and on third-party sites like Trustpilot.

Supported tax forms

If you have a simple return with a Form 1040 and standard deductions, almost any free tier will do the trick. But if you're a gig worker, collect income in several states or have investment properties, you'll probably need a paid plan.

User support 

A good tax software platform will have calculators, explainers and video tutorials to help DIYers. You should also see what kind of live support is offered. Options could range from phone access to a final review by a representative to step-by-step guidance by a tax professional.

There are a variety of no-cost filing options available, especially if you have a simple return.

IRS Free File

IRS Free File is a no-cost online service for filers who had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $89,000 or less in 2025. A partnership between the IRS and leading tax prep sites, including TaxSlayer and FreeTaxUSA, Free File allows users to choose which company to work with based on their income, location and filing needs. Some partners also offer free state filing.

The program is a bit of a sleeper: Close to 70% of Americans qualified for IRS Free File in 2024, according to the Taxpayer Advocate, but less than 5% used it. If you don't meet the income requirement for Free File, you can still use the site's fillable forms. There's no guidance and only limited calculations, but you can still fill out the free electronic forms using IRS instructions. This option doesn't include any state tax preparation.

PayPal partnered with AI-powered April to enable PayPal Debit Mastercard cardholders to file federal and state returns at no charge. Users can receive federal tax refunds up to five days early with PayPal Direct Deposit, or put the funds into PayPal Savings, a no-fee, high-yield savings account provided by Synchrony Bank.  

Banking app Chime* also offers free state and federal filing through April. Account holders who set up direct deposit can get their refund up to six days early.

MoneyLion offers free federal and state tax filing for customers with a RoarMoney account. Thanks to a partnership with April, users can submit W-2, unemployment and investment income.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free in-person tax preparation to individuals with an income of $67,000 or less, who have disabilities or with limited English skills.

You'll need to go in person, but VITA sites are generally located in libraries, schools, shopping malls and other neighborhood locations. (You can find local providers here.)

Tax Counseling for the Elderly

Another IRS-backed program, Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sponsors free nonprofit and community tax preparation for filers 60 and older. Trained volunteers will help prepare simple returns and can answer retirement-related questions. (Some locations also offer self-filing options.)

Check the IRS website or AARP Tax-Aide site locator tool to find a TCE-affiliated location in your area or call 888-227-7669.

MilTax

Sponsored by the Department of Defense, MilTax is a tax software program for U.S. service members, veterans and their families, with details on how to file in multiple states, how to report deployment and combat pay, and more.

Eligible filers can electronically submit a federal return and up to three state returns free of charge.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice to help them make informed financial decisions. Every tax software review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax software products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

To determine the best free tax software, CNBC Select analyzed more than a dozen top tax-prep companies with free tiers, examining ease of use, live support and other features.

• All the services we chose have intuitive interfaces with simple question-and-answer prompts.
• More weight was given to software companies that file both state and federal returns for free and that allow for more deductions and credits.
• We considered whether a tax-prep company offered a tax refund advance loan or made refunds available early.
• All of the companies on this list guarantee accuracy and the biggest refund

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

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*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.