Free IRS File 2026: Who’s Eligible, How to Use It to File Taxes
The IRS continues the trend of expanding eligibility for its long-standing free tax filing partner program.
IRS Free File enters its 24th year this tax season, providing millions of Americans with access to free guided tax preparation services. This year, anyone with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $89,000 can file their federal taxes for free.
The new AGI limit marks a $5,000 jump from last year and is one of the largest annual increases in the program’s history. The limit typically increases between $1,000 and $2,000 in a given year, if it changes at all. However, in the last few years, the IRS has made a big increase between $5,000 and $6,000, which means many Americans have access for the first time.
Now, more than 70% of taxpayers qualify for the IRS Free File, according to the Free File Alliance, a coalition of tax preparation companies affiliated with the IRS. Despite its wide availability, Free File remains underutilized, with less than 3% of taxpayers using the service each year.
“There is a common misconception that Free File only supports simple restores,” said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance, in a press release. “In fact, many taxpayers with complex returns can still file for free.”
For example, Hugo said small business owners, gig workers and homeowners with multiple rentals are eligible as long as they fall under the AGI limit.
(Note: IRS Free File is different from the agency’s closed “Direct File” testing program that tested government-run tax filing software.)
How to use the IRS Free File name
This year, eight companies are offering their guided tax filing software free of charge to eligible taxpayers:
Some of the partners have their own qualifications, including different income, military status or age requirements, but taxpayers who meet the $89,000 gross income threshold will have at least one option to choose from.
Before you get started, make sure you confirm your eligibility, as some options allow you to start filing your taxes only to tell you at the end that you don’t meet their specific requirements. Full eligibility information is available here, and the IRS site has a tool to help you quickly find a filing option based on your situation.
One major advantage of the IRS free file is that the eight partner companies cannot sell you during the filing process or provide additional money on expected tax refunds: two profitable and ubiquitous strategies used by tax companies without this program.
Once selected, simply follow the prompts and enter your information from all of your applicable tax forms.
Many services also offer free state tax preparation. Depending on the company, other state restrictions apply. But OLT and FreeTaxUSA offer free state filing in all states if you meet federal requirements.
Other ways to send taxes for free
If you have an AGI over $89,000, you can still prepare your taxes with the free file system, but the process is very different. The IRS offers Free Fileable Forms to taxpayers of all income levels.
As the name suggests, Fillable Forms must be filled manually based on the instructions attached to this article. Forms provide very little help with calculations, as you are expected to do the math yourself. The e-filing option is available once all forms are filled digitally. Alternatively, they can be printed, completed and sent directly to the IRS.
People who don’t qualify for IRS Free File still have free tax filing options with other companies.
Regardless of income, federal taxes must be paid by April 15 this year. Several states have different deadlines for state returns.
