which free tax filing app can I use?

If you're filing U.S. taxes for the 2025 tax year, you have several genuinely free options in 2026.

• IRS Free File — probably the easiest place to start. If your 2025 AGI is $89,000 or less, you can use one of the IRS-approved guided tax programs for free. Participating providers include FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, 1040.com, OLT, ezTaxReturn, 1040Now, and FileYourTaxes.com.
• FreeTaxUSA through IRS Free File — offers guided preparation and is one of the participating IRS Free File providers.
• IRS Free File Fillable Forms — free regardless of income, but it's more like filling out the actual tax forms yourself, so it's less beginner-friendly.
• MassTaxConnect — if you need a Massachusetts return, Massachusetts allows qualifying residents to file their state return for free directly through MassTaxConnect.

Important: Start through the IRS's Free File page rather than going directly to a tax company's website, because the free offer can depend on how you access it.

If you tell me (1) roughly how much you made, (2) whether you're W-2 or self-employed/1099, and (3) whether you have kids/dependents, I can tell you which of the free options is likely to fit your situation.

Several free tax filing apps and software options are available depending on your income, the complexity of your return, and whether you need to file a state return.

• FreeTaxUSA : Highly popular for budget-conscious filers because its federal return is 100% free no matter how complex your situation is (including self-employment or investments), though it charges a small fee for state returns ($15).
• H&R Block Online (Free Edition) : Known for having a robust free tier that covers more standard tax forms than some of its main competitors, making it great for simple W-2 or student situations.
• TurboTax (Free Edition) : Very user-friendly and guided, but strictly limited to simple tax returns (W-2 income, unemployment, and limited interest/dividend income). If you have itemized deductions or freelance income, they will prompt you to upgrade.
• TaxAct (Free Edition) : Another solid option for simple federal returns, students, and filers taking the standard deduction, though state returns may carry an extra charge depending on the specific package.
• IRS Free File Program : If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $89,000 or less, you can access brand-name guided tax software completely for free via the official IRS Free File Portal.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• What is your approximate income level?
• Do you have a simple W-2 job , or do you have self-employment, investments, or rental income?

Yes. I checked the current 2026 filing options for 2025 taxes.

My top free choices

1. FreeTaxUSA — probably my top pick if you want a full-featured option. Federal filing is $0, including investments, self-employment, itemized deductions, and other more complicated situations. State filing is $15.99 unless you qualify through IRS Free File.

2. Cash App Taxes — $0 for both federal and state for everyone, including many situations that other services charge extra for, such as 1099 income, self-employment, stocks, and crypto. You do need a Cash App account.

3. IRS Free File — the safest place to start if your 2025 AGI was $89,000 or less. The IRS has eight participating providers for 2026, including FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer. Some provide free state filing as well.

If you're filing Washington taxes: Washington doesn't have a state individual income tax, so you generally only need to worry about your federal return.

If you tell me (1) roughly how much you made, (2) W-2 or 1099/self-employed, (3) whether you have kids/dependents, and (4) whether you own a home or have investments, I can tell you which free option I'd choose for your situation.

The best free tax filing app or software depends entirely on your financial situation (W-2 vs. self-employed) and whether you need to file a state return for free as well.

The top options available for free DIY tax filing include:

1. Cash App Taxes (Best for 100% Free Federal & State)
   • What makes it great: Completely free for both federal and state returns, with no hidden upsells. You can file via their mobile app or desktop.
   • The catch: Best for simple to moderately complex returns; it does have limitations (for example, it doesn't support multiple-state filings) and requires using Cash App.
   • Where to look: Check details or download via Cash App Taxes.
2. FreeTaxUSA (Best for Comprehensive Free Federal)
   • What makes it great: Your federal return is 100% free, no matter how complex your tax situation is (supports itemizing, investments, and self-employment).
   • The catch: State returns are not free (usually around $15–$16 per state).
   • Where to look: Access the platform on FreeTaxUSA.
3. H&R Block Free Online (Best Brand-Name Free Experience)
   • What makes it great: Includes a generous number of forms in its free tier for simple tax situations, covering both federal and state filing for $0 if you qualify.
   • The catch: Only covers simple tax situations; more advanced forms will bump you into a paid tier.
   • Where to look: Explore options on H&R Block.
4. TurboTax Free Edition (Best for W-2 / Simple Filers)
   • What makes it great: Very user-friendly and guided interface, free for simple federal and state returns.
   • The catch: A huge percentage of filers with slightly more complex situations (like 1099 income, stock sales, or itemized deductions) are disqualified from the free tier and forced to upgrade.
   • Where to look: Check out terms on TurboTax.
5. IRS Free File Program (Best Official Government Resource)
   • What makes it great: If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) falls under the yearly threshold (typically around $79,000 or less), you can access brand-name commercial software completely for free through the official IRS portal.
   • Where to look: Browse available partners securely through the IRS Free File Portal.

If you can share a bit about your tax situation—such as whether you have W-2 income, freelance/self-employment income, investments, or multiple state moves —I can point you directly to the exact app that will cost you the least.

If you're filing 2025 taxes in California, you have several genuinely free options.

• IRS Free File — My first choice if your 2025 AGI was $89,000 or less. It gives you guided federal tax preparation through an IRS-approved provider, and some providers include a free California return.
• FreeTaxUSA through IRS Free File — Particularly good if you want a straightforward interface. For California, its current IRS Free File offer provides free federal + California filing if AGI is $51,000 or less, or up to $89,000 for qualifying active-duty military.
• CalFile — California's own free state tax filing system. You can file your California return directly with the Franchise Tax Board. You'll generally file your federal return separately through the IRS.
• VITA — If your income is relatively modest, you may be able to have IRS-certified volunteers prepare your return for free, rather than doing it yourself.

What I'd pick

If you tell me roughly (1) your income, (2) single/married, (3) W-2 only or 1099/self-employed, and (4) whether you have kids/home/ investments, I can tell you which free option is likely best for you and avoid the sites that will try to charge you.

Several reliable, major tax-filing options offer free tiers or completely free services, primarily for people with simple tax situations (like W-2 income and the standard deduction).

• Cash App Taxes: Widely rated as one of the best for 100% free DIY simple filing. It covers both federal and state returns completely free (unlike some platforms that charge extra for state filing). You can access it through their mobile app or site.
• FreeTaxUSA: Highly popular for robust free federal filing, supporting a wide range of forms and deductions (even investments or basic self-employment on the federal side). Note that state returns usually carry a small fee.
• H&R Block Free Online: Offers a robust free tier for simple tax situations that includes both federal and state filing. They also provide an AI assistant and clear pricing if your taxes happen to get more complex.
• TurboTax Free Edition: Very user-friendly, but only free if you have a simple tax return (W-2 and standard deduction only). Be careful to select the actual Free Edition, as they frequently upsell to paid tiers.
• IRS Free File: If your adjusted gross income (AGI) falls under the IRS threshold (typically $89,000 or less), you can access guided brand-name tax software completely free by starting directly through the official IRS Free File Program . You can also browse options via the IRS2Go App.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, could you tell me:

• What is your approximate income level or adjusted gross income (AGI)?
• Do you have any complex tax situations (like self-employment/1099, crypto, rental property, or stock sales)?

Yes. If you're filing a 2025 tax return in 2026, I’d start with the IRS’s official free options rather than a commercial app that advertises “free” but charges when you reach the end.

• IRS Free File — probably the best overall choice. If your 2025 AGI was $89,000 or less, you can use one of the IRS’s partner tax-prep programs for free. Some partners also include free state filing.
• IRS Direct File — if you're eligible, this lets you file directly with the IRS for free. North Carolina is among the states that has participated, but eligibility depends on your tax situation.
• Free File Fillable Forms — free regardless of income, but it's more like filling out the actual tax forms yourself, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you're comfortable with taxes.

My recommendation: Tell me roughly (1) your income, (2) whether you're W-2 or self-employed/1099, (3) whether you have children/dependents, and (4) whether you need to file North Carolina state taxes, and I can tell you which free option is likely easiest for you.

The best free tax filing app or software for you depends on your income and how complicated your tax situation is (W-2 vs. freelance, investments, etc.).

Top options for free or budget-friendly tax filing include:

1. Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax)
   • Best for: 100% free federal and state filing, even for more complex forms (like self-employment or investments).
   • The Deal: Completely free with no hidden upgrade charges for federal or state returns. Accessible via mobile app or web.
2. FreeTaxUSA
   • Best for: Free federal filing with robust form support (itemized deductions, crypto, freelance/1099 income).
   • The Deal: Federal returns are $0, but state returns cost a small flat fee (around $16). Very popular for people who make too much for basic free tiers but want to avoid high software costs.
3. IRS Free File Programs
   • Best for: Households meeting specific income requirements.
   • The Deal: If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) falls under the annual threshold (usually around $79,000 to $84,000), you can access guided brand-name software (like TaxSlayer, TaxAct, etc.) completely free via the IRS Free File Portal.
4. H&R Block Free Online Edition / TurboTax Free Edition
   • Best for: Very simple tax situations (W-2 income, standard deduction only).
   • The Deal: Truly $0 for federal and state, but only if you have a simple return. If you add investments, a side hustle, or itemize deductions, they will prompt you to upgrade to a paid tier.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• What is your approximate income level?
• Do you have self-employment income, investments, or crypto , or is it just a standard W-2 job?

If you want a free tax filing app, these are some of the best options (depending on your situation):

My quick recommendations:

• Only have a W-2 job, standard deductions, and a simple return: try IRS Free File first or Cash App Taxes.
• Have a 1099, gig work, rental income, stocks, crypto, or itemized deductions: FreeTaxUSA is often a better fit because it supports more complex forms.
• Want to avoid upsells: start from the IRS Free File portal rather than searching “free tax filing” on Google, since many sites advertise free filing but charge for certain forms or state returns.

If you tell me:

1. your state,
2. W-2 vs self-employed/1099,
3. whether you have kids, a house, investments, or a business,

I can suggest the best free option for your exact tax situation.

The right free tax filing app depends entirely on your income and how complex your tax situation is (W-2 vs. self-employed, investments, state returns, etc.).

Here are the top free tax filing options available:

• Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax): Widely considered the best option if you want 100% free federal and state filing , even for complex situations like self-employment, crypto, or investments (no hidden upsells or sudden paywalls).
• FreeTaxUSA : Excellent and very popular. Federal filing is completely free for all tax situations, though they do charge a small fee for state returns ($16).
• IRS Free File : If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) falls below the annual threshold (around $79,000 to $89,000 depending on the tax year), you can access brand-name commercial software completely free via the IRS Free File Program.
• TaxSlayer (Classic/Free Edition) : Great if you have a simple tax return. They also offer free federal filing options for active-duty military members.
• Major Brands (TurboTax / H&R Block Free Editions) : They offer free tiers, but be careful —they only cover very simple W-2/1040 returns. The moment you add itemized deductions, freelance income, or HSA contributions, they force you to upgrade to a paid tier.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• What is your approximate income level?
• Do you have self-employment/freelance income, investments, or crypto , or is it just a basic W-2?
• Do you need to file a state return?