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 OH|TAX eServices portal to file the Ohio IT 1040 and school district SD 100 directly with the Department of Taxation.
Go to OH|TAX eServicesFree 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?
Search your Ohio ZIP code in the IRS VITA/TCE locator or the AARP Tax-Aide locator. Sites are mostly open from late January to mid-April, so book well before the Ohio due date (April 15, 2026 for tax year 2025). Most volunteer sites prepare your Ohio return along with the federal one. Questions about the state return itself go to Ohio Department of Taxation.
Free tax help in nearby states
Moved, work across the line, or file in more than one state? See the free options and deadlines next door.
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 helpPack Tax is our paid partner; we may receive a fee for referrals. How this works
Sources
- Ohio individual filing season tips
- Ohio file my taxes
- Ohio 2025 IT 1040 / SD 100 instructions (PDF)
- IRS: Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers
- IRS Free File: do your taxes for free
Ohio facts checked on October 8, 2026. Rules and dates change every year; confirm with Ohio Department of Taxation before you file.