How to File Taxes for Free Using TurboTax This Year

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Key Takeaways

• TurboTax's e-filing options, including TurboTax Free Edition, are no longer available.

• Taxpayers who filed for extensions had a deadline to submit their income tax returns in mid-October.

• If you still have not filed, you should print your return and send it to the IRS by mail as soon as possible.

The IRS is processing about 20 million income tax returns submitted ahead of the extended filing deadline, on top of the 144 million it received earlier in the year. While many taxpayers paid for help preparing returns, some filed their 1040s for free.

If you have not filed your taxes yet, you should act quickly to avoid additional penalties. Free online tax-filing services are also no longer available. TurboTax, which is owned by Intuit, has closed its e-filing options for the year.

A TurboTax spokesperson says your best option now is to print and mail your return, ideally using certified mail with a return receipt.

Is TurboTax free?

TurboTax is typically free for people filing simple 1040 returns with no unusual tax situations and no optional add-ons. However, there has long been debate over whether the company's so-called free products were truly free.

Intuit said in 2021 that it would not renew its participation in IRS Free File, a public-private program that gives eligible taxpayers access to free guided tax preparation. TurboTax had been part of IRS Free File since the program began in 2003, but the company withdrew, citing limitations within the program and conflicting demands from people outside it.

The exit was not controversy-free. It followed a ProPublica report alleging that TurboTax used code to intentionally hide its IRS Free File product from Google and other search engines. After that report was published, Intuit changed the code.

In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint accusing Intuit of deceptive advertising that led consumers to believe TurboTax filing was free, only for them to discover near the end of the process, after entering sensitive personal and financial information, that they would need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Later, the FTC barred Intuit from advertising anything as free unless it is free for all consumers or the company clearly and prominently discloses the share of taxpayers or consumers who qualify. Intuit appealed the decision, saying in a statement that over the past 11 years it has helped more than 130 million Americans file taxes free of charge, more than all other tax preparation software companies combined. The company also said it has always been clear, fair and transparent with customers and remains committed to free tax preparation.

Can I still file my taxes for free through TurboTax?

No. TurboTax Free Edition, along with the company's other e-filing products, was available until early morning on the final day of availability and is no longer offered.

It was designed for simple 1040 returns only, meaning no supplemental forms or schedules except those needed for the earned income tax credit, student loan interest deduction and child tax credit. Schedule 1-A, which covers no tax on overtime, no tax on tips, car loan interest and the senior bonus, is also eligible, but in general you needed only W-2 income and the standard deduction to qualify for TurboTax Free Edition.

TurboTax Free Edition charged $0 for simple federal filing and $0 for simple state filing. You could begin your return for free.

Earlier in the season, paid options included TurboTax Expert Assist, which allowed users to ask experts questions and have a return reviewed for accuracy before filing, and Expert Full Service, in which a tax expert completed both federal and state returns.

Why is TurboTax not free?

Not every TurboTax product is free because it is a business.

TurboTax is owned by Intuit, a public company. Intuit said it generated $4.4 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of its 2026 fiscal year, which ended on July 31 for the company.

On its website, TurboTax includes an FAQ answering how it makes money. The company says that because some customers pay for premium products and services, it is able to offer free tax filing to many users.

Who gets TurboTax free?

Intuit says about 37% of taxpayers typically qualify for TurboTax's DIY Free Edition, which is intended for simple Form 1040 returns only.

TurboTax Online products are also usually free for active-duty or reserve enlisted members of the U.S. military. If you receive a W-2 from the Defense Finance Accounting Service, you generally qualify for free federal and state tax preparation through the TurboTax Military Discount, regardless of whether you choose free, deluxe or premium services. The discount does not apply to TurboTax Experts or TurboTax Desktop products.

More details are available on TurboTax's website.

Other ways to file taxes for free

Earlier in the season, taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $89,000 or less were eligible for IRS Free File, which offered free guided tax preparation from one of eight major companies. Above that income threshold, taxpayers could use Free File Fillable Forms, which required more tax knowledge.

IRS Free File has closed for the year, and the IRS has posted a message telling taxpayers to check back next year.

IRS Direct File, which allowed taxpayers who lived and worked in 25 states to file federal taxes online directly with the IRS, has been shut down permanently.

TurboTax rivals such as H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes also typically offer free online software during tax season. Earlier in the year, some Chime, Acorns Gold, Robinhood and PayPal debit card customers could also access free tax preparation through partnerships with april, an AI-powered tax engine.

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