IRS Details Free File Initiative - Millions Eligible for Free Online Preparation and E-Filing - Steps to Get Started

Sep 19, 2026

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IRS Free File Initiative information outlining how eligible American taxpayers can access free online tax preparation and electronic filing through the IRS partnership with the Free File Alliance. Eligibility varies by age, adjusted gross income, state residency, military status, or qualification for certain forms and credits. The program provides step-by-step guidance: determine eligibility, link to a chosen Alliance member, then prepare and file returns securely via e-file. Key benefits include reduced preparation time, faster refunds, accuracy, and receipt acknowledgements, with refunds typically within 10 days for e-file plus direct deposit.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

IRS Free File Initiative

Eligibility and Program Coverage

Steps to Get Started

Determine Eligibility

Link to Free Services

Prepare and File Tax Return

Benefits of Free File

Free File Alliance Membership

| Media Relations Office | Washington, D.C. | Tel. 202.622.4000 | | --- | --- | --- | | For Release: January 2003 | | Release No: FS-2003-8 | IRS DETAILS FREE FILE INITIATIVE; MILLIONS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE ONLINE PREPARATION AND E-FILING The majority of American taxpayers will be eligible for free online tax preparation and free electronic filing through a partnership agreement between the Internal Revenue Service and the Free File Alliance, LLC, a private-sector consortium of tax software companies. Each Free File Alliance member sets taxpayer eligibility requirements for its program. Requirements will differ company to company. Generally, eligibility will be based on factors such as age , adjusted gross income , state residency, military status or eligibility to file a Form 1040EZ or for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The agreement requires the Alliance, as a whole, to provide free services to at least 60 percent or 78 million of the nation’s taxpayers through April 15. The primary candidates for Free File are those taxpayers who prepare their own taxes and still file paper returns. Last filing season, the IRS received nearly 85 million paper returns and nearly 47 million e-filed returns. The IRS neither supports nor endorses any individual Free File Alliance company or product. As part of the agreement, the IRS provides to taxpayers a listing of the Alliance members via the Free File web page, which is hosted on [IRS.gov. The](IRS.gov. The) Free File Alliance members must comply with all federal laws protecting taxpayer information. The firms’ online preparation and filing services are being provided to eligible taxpayers at no charge. Taxpayers are under no obligation to purchase any products such as Refund Anticipation Loans. Taxpayers generally will receive their refund within 10 days if they use both e-file and direct deposit. Refunds from mailed paper returns can take up to six weeks. STEPS TO GET STARTED Taxpayers can locate the Free File Website through [IRS.gov](IRS.gov) and, by following a few simple steps, be on their way to getting their taxes where they want them– done. STEP 1 : DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY At the Free File homepage, taxpayers have two options for determining their eligibility for free services: They may browse the complete listing of Alliance members and their free services. Or, taxpayers can use a questionnaire application, the Free File Wizard, which -more- -2- will assist taxpayers in identifying those free services for which they may qualify. Each Alliance member will identify their company name and will have a simple description of the criteria for using their free service. Each Alliance member’s company or product name will be linked to additional information about the company and services. Not all taxpayers will be eligible for these free services. STEP 2 : LINK TO FREE SERVICES Upon determining eligibility, the taxpayer can link directly to that Alliance member’s free service by clicking on the Alliance member’s “Start Now” link. Upon doing so, taxpayers will be notified they are leaving the IRS.gov web site and are entering an Alliance member’s web site. STEP 3 : PREPARE AND FILE TAX RETURN At the Alliance member’s Web site, taxpayers can prepare their tax returns using the member’s online proprietary software. Completed tax returns will be sent electronically from the Alliance member to the IRS through existing e-file system using secure telephone lines. Taxpayers will receive an acknowledgement of receipt or rejection of their return via an email from the Alliance member. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? The intent of IRS Free File is to reduce the burden on individual taxpayers, make tax preparation easier and expand the benefits of electronic filing to a majority of Americans. The benefits of using these free services are identical to those of e-filing, which include: ∙ Reduced tax return preparation time; ∙ Faster refunds; ∙ Accuracy of return; ∙ Acknowl

FAQs

Who is eligible for the IRS Free File free online tax preparation and e-filing?

Eligibility is set by each Free File Alliance member and may depend on factors such as age, adjusted gross income, state residency, military status, and whether the taxpayer qualifies to file certain forms or credits. Generally, it covers eligible taxpayers who prepare their own taxes and still file paper returns.

What steps should taxpayers follow to use Free File?

Taxpayers determine eligibility at the Free File homepage (either by browsing the listing or using the Free File Wizard), then link directly to a chosen Alliance member’s “Start Now” link, and finally prepare and file the return using the member’s online software.

What benefits does Free File provide compared with other filing options?

Free File aims to reduce the burden of tax preparation, make filing easier, and expand electronic filing benefits. Benefits include reduced preparation time, faster refunds, accuracy, and acknowledgement of return receipt; e-filers may also file now and pay later if they owe taxes.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Mabel