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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Yes. Living in any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia does not stop you from filing a federal return for free. IRS Free File offers guided software to eligible taxpayers, Fillable Forms is a free self-preparation option, and VITA and TCE provide in-person help at no cost to people who qualify. Residents of U.S. territories can file too, but their route runs through territorial rules that work differently from a state return.
Two points are easy to miss. A free federal return is not the same as a free state return, because the state side depends on the offer you choose. And the eligibility figures below apply to the 2026 filing season, which covers tax year 2025 returns. The IRS sets these figures season by season, so confirm current numbers on IRS.gov before you file. If you are finishing a 2025 return now under an extension, the extended due date for most individuals is October 15, 2026.
Federal filing from the 50 states and DC
Federal filing rules are the same nationwide, so your state of residence does not change which federal free options exist. What changes is whether a particular partner accepts your return. Start at IRS.gov/freefile. The IRS’s “E-file: Do your taxes for free” page puts it this way: “Start at IRS.gov/freefile — always go through the IRS.gov site to access the IRS Free File tax preparation software.” Going through that site is how you confirm that a product is part of the IRS program.
IRS Free File Guided Tax
Guided Tax is partner software that asks you questions and prepares the federal return for you. Free federal filing is available to qualifying users, but eligibility is set by the IRS income threshold plus each partner’s own criteria. Some partners include a free state return in the offer; others may charge for state filing.
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IRS Free File Fillable Forms
Fillable Forms are electronic versions of IRS forms that you complete yourself. It suits people who are comfortable choosing the right forms and lines, because the software performs only limited calculations. IRS guidance does not state an income limit for this option. Fillable Forms support federal returns only, so a state return needs a separate route.
Comparing the routes at a glance
| Route | Who it may suit | Federal return | State return | What to check first |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Free File Guided Tax | Eligible taxpayers who want guided software. For the 2026 season, the IRS uses 2025 AGI of $89,000 or less, plus partner conditions. | Free for qualifying users | Some offers include a free state return; others may charge. Check the state fee in the offer. | AGI, age, state of residence, military status, supported return facts, and the state fee |
| IRS Free File Fillable Forms | People comfortable preparing their own federal return. No income limit is stated in IRS guidance for this option. | Free, self-prepared | Not supported | Whether you are comfortable completing forms yourself |
| VITA | Qualifying taxpayers, including many low- and moderate-income filers, people with disabilities, and people who need language help | Basic return preparation and electronic filing | Not stated for all sites. Selected sites offer self-assistance for basic federal and state returns. | Eligibility, site schedule, languages, and service scope |
| TCE | Taxpayers age 60 and older | Basic return preparation and electronic filing | Not stated for all sites. Selected sites offer self-assistance for basic federal and state returns. | Site availability and whether the site handles your situation |
| Territory tax department and IRS | People with income from a U.S. territory, or who changed territorial residence during the year | Depends on facts: federal, territorial, or both | Not applicable. Territorial returns are handled by the territory’s tax department. | Bona fide residence, source and amount of income, and transition-year rules in Publication 570 |
Who qualifies for Guided Tax
For the 2026 filing season, which covers 2025 returns, the IRS sets an adjusted gross income ceiling of $89,000 or less for Guided Tax. That is a federal threshold, not a guarantee of acceptance. Each partner can add criteria, and the IRS materials name age, state of residence, and military status as examples. A filer who meets the income test can still be turned away by a partner whose conditions they do not meet.
Before you start, confirm:
- Your 2025 adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less.
- The partner’s age, state, and military-status conditions match your situation.
- The partner supports the return facts you have, such as the income types and credits you claim.
- The state fee, if you need a state return.
Free federal does not mean free state
A state return is a separate filing under that state’s rules. The IRS says some partners provide free state returns and points users to its comparison tools to review offers. Other partners may charge for the state return, so the “free” label on a federal offer does not settle the state question. Fillable Forms does not file state returns at all.
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- TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
- Recommended if you own a home, have charitable donations, high medical expenses and need to file both Federal & State Tax Returns
- Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
- Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)
The IRS also describes safeguards for the program, including that no upselling or hidden fees are permitted within Free File, and that compliance reviews are conducted by the IRS and the Free File Alliance. These protections apply to offers reached through IRS Free File. They do not extend to commercial products you find outside the program.
Partners named for the 2026 filing season
For the 2026 filing season, the IRS named eight participating partners:
- 1040Now
- Drake (1040.com)
- ezTaxReturn.com
- FileYourTaxes.com
- On-Line Taxes
- TaxAct
- TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA)
- TaxSlayer
This roster is specific to that season and can change. Use the current partner list on IRS.gov rather than this one. The IRS does not endorse any individual provider.
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- Five free federal e-files and unlimited federal preparation and printing
- Free e-file included for most business forms
How to start a Free File return
- Go to IRS.gov/freefile and open the Free File page.
- Use the Find a Trusted Partner or Browse All tool to see the participating companies.
- Open each partner’s offer and check whether its state return is included free or carries a fee.
- Confirm that you meet the income, age, state, and military-status conditions shown in that offer.
- Complete the federal return first, then the state return, and review the summary before submitting.
- If no partner fits your facts, use Fillable Forms for the federal return, or check whether you qualify for VITA or TCE.
Free in-person help: VITA and TCE
VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, offers free basic return preparation by trained volunteers. Eligibility is commonly tied to low- and moderate-income filers, people with disabilities, and people who need language assistance. TCE, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, serves taxpayers age 60 and older. Both programs offer electronic filing.
To find a site, use the IRS site locator or the phone locator information published on IRS.gov. Site scope and hours vary, so confirm the services you need before you travel.
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VITA is the right starting point if you qualify on income, disability, or language grounds and want a volunteer to prepare the return. Bring the documents the site asks for, and confirm whether your situation falls within the site’s service scope.
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- TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
- Recommended if you are self-employed, an independent contractor, freelancer, small business owner, sole proprietor, or consultant
- Includes 5 Federal e-files and 1 State via download. State e-file sold separately. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary)
- Live Tax Advice: Connect with a tax expert and get one-on-one advice and answers as you prepare your return (fee applies)
TCE
TCE is for taxpayers age 60 and older. Like VITA, it uses trained volunteers and electronic filing, and site availability and scope differ by location.
Self-assistance at selected sites
Some VITA and TCE sites offer self-assistance. You prepare basic federal and state returns on web-based software while an IRS-certified volunteer guides you. Because this option can include a basic state return, it is worth checking if a state return is the sticking point. Availability is site by site.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.U.S. territories: a separate filing question
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are covered by IRS Publication 570. Depending on your residence and income, you may owe a territorial return, a federal return, or both. The territory’s tax department provides territorial forms and advice, so territory residents should not assume a state-style process applies.
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- TurboTax Desktop Edition is download software which you install on your computer for use
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS Sonoma or later (Windows 10 not supported)
- Recommended if you have a partnership, own an S or C Corp, Multi-Member LLC, manage a trust or estate, or need to file a separate tax return for your business
- Includes 5 Federal e-files. Business State forms sold separately via download. Get U.S.-based technical support (hours may vary).
- Prepare and file your business or trust taxes with confidence
Step one: determine bona fide residence
Residence drives the filing outcome. The general test looks at physical presence in the territory for 183 days during the tax year, a tax home in the territory, and no closer connection to the United States or a foreign country. The rules include exceptions and are more detailed than this summary. The 183-day count alone does not settle residence, so read Publication 570 before deciding which returns you need.
Guam, CNMI, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Bona fide residents of these three territories generally do not have a U.S. federal income-tax return filing obligation. Individual filing requirements can still arise from special taxes or other facts, and the territory’s tax department is the place to confirm local filing duties.
Puerto Rico
A bona fide resident whose only income is from Puerto Rico sources generally does not need a U.S. federal income-tax return. Income from outside Puerto Rico, including U.S.-source income, may trigger a federal return if it exceeds the applicable threshold. Puerto Rico residents who owe self-employment tax may have a separate Form 1040-SS obligation.
American Samoa and changes in residence
Bona fide residents of American Samoa may have a federal filing obligation depending on non-territory income and other circumstances. The same logic applies to Puerto Rico: the income source drives the answer. If you moved into or out of a territory during the year, the transition-year rules in Publication 570 can change which return applies, so review that part of the publication before filing.
Quick Recap
Choosing a route
- Income at or below $89,000 and a partner accepts your facts: start with Guided Tax, and choose a partner whose state return fits your budget.
- Income above the threshold, or no partner fits: use Fillable Forms for the federal return, and arrange a separate state filing.
- Want a person to prepare the return: check VITA or TCE, and use the site locator to see what the nearest site covers.
- Territory income or residence: start with Publication 570 and the territory’s tax department before choosing any online program.
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