Free tax help in Illinois
How to file your Illinois and federal returns for free if you qualify, the Illinois deadline, and where to find free volunteer help.
Check if you qualify (5 questions)| State income tax | Yes |
|---|---|
| Tax year 2025 due date | April 15, 2026. Usually April 15 (same as federal). |
| Extension | Automatic six-month extension to October 15, 2026; tax owed must be paid by April 15 (Form IL-505-I) to avoid penalty and interest. |
| State tax agency | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Free Illinois state filing
MyTax Illinois
Free state e-filing of an original IL-1040, with or without an account; you need a prior-year Illinois return on file.
Go to MyTax IllinoisFree if you qualify. Rules are for tax year 2025 (filed in 2026) unless noted; Illinois may update them in January.
Free federal filing for Illinois residents
- VITA: free preparation if you make about $70,244 or less; most sites also do the state return. Find a site.
- TCE and AARP Tax-Aide: free help focused on older taxpayers. Find a Tax-Aide site.
- IRS Free File: AGI $89,000 or less (tax year 2025). Some partners include a free Illinois return.
- MyFreeTaxes: federal and state, income under $89,000.
- MilTax: for the military community, federal plus up to three state returns.
- Fillable Forms: any income, federal only.
Common questions
Can I file my Illinois state return for free?
Often, yes, if you qualify. Illinois options include MyTax Illinois. VITA and TCE volunteers usually prepare the state return too, and MyFreeTaxes covers state returns for income under $89,000.
When is the Illinois tax deadline?
For tax year 2025, the Illinois return was due April 15, 2026. Usually April 15 (same as federal). Automatic six-month extension to October 15, 2026; tax owed must be paid by April 15 (Form IL-505-I) to avoid penalty and interest.
Where can I get free tax help in person in Illinois?
Use the IRS VITA/TCE locator or the AARP Tax-Aide locator and search your ZIP code. Sites are mostly open from late January to mid-April.
Need paid help in Illinois?
If you don't qualify for free help, have past-due returns, or got a notice from the IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue, our partner Pack Tax works with Illinois residents by phone and video.
This is paid help, not a free program. You can ask questions before you agree to anything.
Ask Pack Tax for helpPack Tax is our paid partner; we may receive a fee for referrals. How this works
Sources
- IDOR file IL-1040 on MyTax Illinois
- IDOR IL-1040 general information
- IRS: Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers
- IRS Free File: do your taxes for free
Illinois facts checked on October 8, 2026. Rules and dates change every year; confirm with Illinois Department of Revenue before you file.