Free tax help in Ohio

How to file your Ohio and federal returns for free if you qualify, the Ohio deadline, and where to find free volunteer help.

Check if you qualify (5 questions)

State income tax	Yes. Many Ohio school districts also levy a school district income tax, filed on Form SD 100.
Tax year 2025 due date	April 15, 2026. Usually April 15 (same as federal).
Extension	No Ohio extension form; Ohio honors an IRS extension to October 15, 2026, but all tax payments are due April 15, 2026.
State tax agency	Ohio Department of Taxation

Free Ohio state filing

OH|TAX eServices

Free portal to file the Ohio IT 1040 and SD 100 directly with the state; you need an SSN or ITIN and either an Ohio return filed in one of the last 5 years or a recent Ohio driver's license or ID.

We could not fully confirm this on the official site when we last checked. Please confirm with Ohio Department of Taxation.

Go to OH|TAX eServices

Free if you qualify. Rules are for tax year 2025 (filed in 2026) unless noted; Ohio may update them in January.

Free federal filing for Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio state return for free?

Often, yes, if you qualify. Ohio options include OH|TAX eServices. VITA and TCE volunteers usually prepare the state return too, and MyFreeTaxes covers state returns for income under $89,000.

When is the Ohio tax deadline?

For tax year 2025, the Ohio return was due April 15, 2026. Usually April 15 (same as federal). No Ohio extension form; Ohio honors an IRS extension to October 15, 2026, but all tax payments are due April 15, 2026.

Where can I get free tax help in person in Ohio?

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 Ohio?

If you don't qualify for free help, have past-due returns, or got a notice from the IRS or Ohio Department of Taxation, our partner Pack Tax works with Ohio 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 help

Pack Tax is our paid partner; we may receive a fee for referrals. How this works

Sources

Ohio facts checked on October 8, 2026. Rules and dates change every year; confirm with Ohio Department of Taxation before you file.