Free tax filing programs compared
Free if you qualify. Here is every major free tax program in the US, who each one serves, and what it costs. Limits shown are for tax year 2025 unless noted.
| Program | Who it is for | How it works | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| VITA | Income about $70,244 or less | Volunteer Income Tax Assistance | Free if you qualify |
| TCE | Age 60 or older | Tax Counseling for the Elderly | Free if you qualify |
| AARP Foundation Tax-Aide | Over 50, low to moderate income | Free volunteer tax help from AARP Foundation | Free if you qualify |
| IRS Free File | AGI $89,000 or less (tax year 2025) | Free guided tax software from IRS partner companies | Free federal return if you qualify; state may cost extra |
| Free File Fillable Forms | Any income, confident with forms | Free IRS forms you fill in online, any income | Free (federal only) |
| MilTax | Service members, families, recent veterans | Free tax software and help for the military community | Free if you qualify |
| MyFreeTaxes | Income under $89,000 | United Way's free tax software and VITA help | Free if you qualify, federal and state |
IRS Direct File was not offered in filing season 2026, and the IRS has not set a date to bring it back. What to use instead.
Pick a program
VITA
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Income about $70,244 or less Free if you qualifyTCE
Tax Counseling for the Elderly Age 60 or older Free if you qualifyAARP Foundation Tax-Aide
Free volunteer tax help from AARP Foundation Over 50, low to moderate income Free if you qualifyIRS Free File
Free guided tax software from IRS partner companies AGI $89,000 or less (tax year 2025) Free federal return if you qualify; state may cost extraFree File Fillable Forms
Free IRS forms you fill in online, any income Any income, confident with forms Free (federal only)MilTax
Free tax software and help for the military community Service members, families, recent veterans Free if you qualifyMyFreeTaxes
United Way's free tax software and VITA help Income under $89,000 Free if you qualify, federal and stateSources
- IRS: Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
- IRS Free File: do your taxes for free
- Military OneSource: MilTax
- MyFreeTaxes by United Way
- Route Fifty: Direct File won't happen in 2026, IRS tells states
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 8, 2026. Rules change each year; confirm with the official source before you file.