U.S. taxpayers preparing to file returns for 2025 — deadline April 15, 2026 — have one fewer free option this year.
Direct File, used by 300,000 people last year, has been discontinued, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent telling reporters, “We think that the private sector can do a better job.”
But there are still free options for those who don’t want to pay for tax software or a tax adviser. Below are the basics of the filing process.
How to file online for free
Free File. Available to filers with adjusted gross incomes of $89,000 or less. A link on the Internal Revenue Service site lets you choose from among several commercial “trusted partners” that provide free access to guided tax software and filing. Not all of them have the same eligibility standards, and some will charge to submit your state return even if you qualify for free federal filing.
Free File Fillable. This option is available for anybody, no limits on income or complexity of the return — but you don’t get the guidance that software or Free File offers. You fill out online versions of the tax forms yourself and submit them to the IRS. The only requirement is a phone number where you can receive a text message for identity verification.
MilTax. Military servicemembers and some veterans qualify for free software and support.
Filing a California return free
CalFile, accessible from the state Franchise Tax Board’s website, uses information from your federal return to determine your state tax liability and let you submit the return online.
How to get free tax help
Volunteer programs overseen by the IRS provide free, in-person tax assistance to people with incomes of $67,000 or less or who are 60 or older, disabled or not fluent in English. Find help sessions near you and schedule an appointment through the IRS’s locator tool.
What has changed with mail-in returns
Filling out paper forms (printed off the IRS website or available at some libraries or post offices) is another free option, though the IRS says it encourages e-filing for faster processing.
If you do mail in your form, be aware of a recent change in the U.S. Postal Service’s operations: As of December, the standard postmark date reflects when the envelope is first processed by an automated USPS sorting facility, not when it leaves the taxpayer’s possession. You can’t put a return in the mail on April 15 and assume it will get a same-day postmark. But you can take it to the counter at your post office and request a manual postmark for free.
How to prevent someone from filing in your name
An Identity Protection PIN, available for free from the IRS, is a personal code updated every year that prevents anyone else from using your identity to file a return. You can apply for one on the IRS site.
The Mercury News
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