The Free File is an online tool provided by the Internal Revenue Service that allows taxpayers to file their 2026 returns electronically. The filing process for tax year 2025 hasn’t begun yet; it will begin in the last week of January 2026. Here, we’ve shared complete information about this most useful online tool.
It is one of the IRS’s most popular online tools, allowing taxpayers to file their returns electronically for free. With the 2026 tax season approaching, you’ll be able to file your 2025 tax year return electronically without any mistakes, making it easier to receive your refund directly in your bank account.
Note that the Free File is available free of charge to all taxpayers, regardless of their adjusted tax income. If you want to electronically file your 2026 tax return yourself without spending any money, this tool developed by the IRS is a better option for you, as it makes filing taxes using it very easy.
| Tool Name | IRS Free File |
| Provided By | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| Purpose | To file federal tax returns online for free |
| Tax Year Covered | 2025 (filed during the 2026 tax season) |
| Availability | Expected to start in the last week of January 2026 |
| Who Can Use It | All U.S. taxpayers |
| Income Limit | No limit (but Guided Software for AGI ≤ $84,000) |
| Types of Free File | Guided Tax Software and Fillable Forms |
| Trusted Partners | TaxAct, 1040.com, ezTaxReturn, TaxSlayer, OLT.com, FileYourTaxes.com, FreeTaxUSA, 1040NOW.NET |
| Refund for EITC/ACTC | Processed after February 15, 2026 (due to PATH Act) |
What is the IRS Free File?
The Free File is a great option for taxpayers who want to e-file their taxes at no cost. With tax season 2026 approaching, many people are confused about how to file their taxes electronically. To help them, the IRS has launched a Free File. It is not new; it has been provided for taxpayer convenience for years.
The IRS’s Free File tool offers two free electronic tax filing software: Guided Tax Software and Fillable Forms. Both are available to all taxpayers, and you can use either software to file your returns as needed. We’ve discussed the differences below.
- Guided Tax Software is a good option for those with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less. The software’s specialty is that it automatically fills in all the details meticulously and helps you get the maximum refund possible.
- Fillable Forms is a great option for all taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $84,000. While filing tax returns through software requires you to manually enter all the details, its specialty is that it has a very good user interface.
Guide Tax Software has a total of eight trusted partners whose names are TaxAct, 1040.com, ezTaxReturn.com, TaxSlayer, Online Taxes (OLT.com), FileYourTaxes.com, FreeTaxUSA, and 1040NOW.NET.
How to file taxes using IRS Free File for tax year 2025?
The step-by-step instructions to file the 2026 return using the IRS Free File are as follows.
- Go to the official website of the Internal Revenue Service at https://irs.gov/.
- On the homepage, you will see an option that reads ‘Explore free filing options’; tap on it.
- Now, you need to find and click on the option that reads ‘Use IRS Free File’ and get redirected to another page.
- Click on the ‘Explore Free Guided Tax Software’ or ‘Use Fillable Forms,’ as per your preference.
- If you have opted for Guided Tax Software, you need to tap on ‘Browse all trusted partners’ and visit the trusted one before your eyes.
- Here, you need to tap on the ‘Start Free Filing’ option and get redirected to a page to create an account. Fill in the details and get the valid login credentials.
- Log in to start the filing process by providing details and attaching documents. Ensure that you have provided all details accurately, because even a single mistake may reject your tax year 2025 return.
When will the IRS Free File be available for tax year 2025?
Free File for tax year 2025 will become available with the start of tax season 2026. The Internal Revenue Service will likely begin accepting refunds for tax year 2025 on January 27, 2026. The refund for EITC and ACTC claimants will be processed after February 15, 2026, because of the PAHT Act.
Disclaimer: IRS Free File information is for general awareness. Eligibility and availability are determined by the IRS.
