{"id":29514,"date":"2024-12-03T19:37:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T00:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.eztaxreturn.com\/?p=29514"},"modified":"2024-12-03T19:38:18","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T00:38:18","slug":"can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Really Prepare and File Your Taxes for Free?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The information in this article is up to date for tax year 2024 (returns filed in 2025).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At tax time, you\u2019re bombarded with ads for free tax returns. It\u2019s everywhere \u2013 your TV, billboards, social media, and even the Super Bowl. Even if you\u2019ve never tried online tax filing before, those \u201cfree free free\u201d commercials have probably at least piqued your interest and left you wondering: <em>\u201cWhat\u2019s the catch?\u201d<\/em> The reality is that although tax companies advertise free tax returns, not everyone will qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-understanding-free-tax-filing-options\"><strong>Understanding free tax filing options<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When tax companies advertise &#8220;free&#8221; tax filing, it&#8217;s important to understand what &#8220;free&#8221; actually means. Free tax preparation typically applies to basic tax returns that don&#8217;t involve complicated situations such as self-employment income, multiple deductions, or itemized expenses. However, these free filing options often come with limitations. IRS Free File, for example, allows eligible taxpayers to file taxes for free using online software provided by IRS-approved partners. This option is available to those with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $79,000 or less. In addition to IRS Free File, many tax software providers like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eztaxreturn.com\/?utm_dest=site&amp;action=start_return&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree&amp;gid=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ezTaxReturn<\/a> offer free federal tax filing for simple returns. These services guide you through the process with step-by-step assistance, ensuring that you complete your tax forms correctly. But, when your tax situation becomes more complex, you may need to upgrade to a paid version for additional support. It&#8217;s important to evaluate your tax situation and choose the most suitable method to file taxes free online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-qualifies-for-free-federal-tax-filing\"><strong>Who qualifies for free federal tax filing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, you can only qualify for free federal tax filing if you have a simple tax return. However, each tax service defines \u201csimple\u201d differently. Often, you\u2019re limited to reporting specific kinds of income and claiming minimal tax credits. Anything more, and you\u2019ll be required to upgrade to a paid product. At ezTaxReturn, you can file taxes for free if you meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You\u2019re single or married filing jointly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No dependents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/tax-basics-understanding-your-w-2\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">W-2 income<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/tax-tips-for-the-unemployed\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unemployment income<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t claim any credits outside of the <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/what-is-the-earned-income-tax-credit-eitc\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take the IRS standard deduction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your income is $50,000 or less<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earned less than $1,500 in taxable interest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you don\u2019t meet the qualifications for a free simple tax return, our paid option will better suit your needs. Please note, there is an additional fee for state returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size has-medium-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eztaxreturn.com\/?utm_dest=site&amp;action=start_return&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree&amp;gid=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get Started Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pros-and-cons-of-free-tax-filing\"><strong><strong>Pros and cons of free tax filing<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-save-money-on-filing-federal-taxes\"><strong><strong>Save money on <strong><strong>filing<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <strong><strong>federal taxes<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Obviously, the biggest benefit of free federal tax filing is that you save money, potentially hundreds of dollars. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsacct.org\/nsamain\/nsa-homepage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Society of Accountants<\/a>, the average cost of a Form 1040 with the standard deduction plus state is $220. Using ezTaxReturn for your free federal tax filing means you\u2019ll just pay a small fee for your state tax return, if applicable. That\u2019s a $200 savings you can put towards groceries and <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/6-ways-to-save-money-at-the-gas-pump\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other bills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-by-step-guidance-lets-you-file-quickly-and-confidently\"><strong><strong>Step-by-step guidance lets you file quickly and confidently<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The beauty of using tax preparation software like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eztaxreturn.com\/?utm_dest=site&amp;action=start_return&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree&amp;gid=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ezTaxReturn<\/a> is that you don\u2019t have to know anything about taxes.\u00a0 You just answer basic questions about your life and income while following our step-by-step guidance.\u00a0 There\u2019s little to worry about because we do the calculations and complete the right forms for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-get-your-biggest-possible-refund-guaranteed\"><strong><strong>Get your biggest possible refund, guaranteed<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With inflation driving up the cost of everything, getting a tax refund can provide a much-needed financial boost. Don\u2019t miss the opportunity to <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/what-tax-credits-can-i-qualify-for-this-year\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get your biggest possible refund<\/a>\u2014file your federal taxes free online with ezTaxReturn. Our software is up to date with the latest tax laws, so you\u2019ll get every money-saving tax deduction and credit you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fastest-way-to-get-your-tax-refund\"><strong><strong>Fastest way to get your tax refund<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get your tax refund faster by e-filing and having the funds direct deposited into your bank account. It\u2019s quick, convenient, and secure. Nine out of ten taxpayers get their tax refunds in less than 3 weeks. That\u2019s nothing compared to the months you\u2019ll be waiting if you filed on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-free-customer-support\"><strong><strong>Free customer support<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you need help resetting your password, downloading copies of your return, or tracking your tax refund, our trained customer service representatives are available to help. There\u2019s no jumping through hoops or relying on community discussion boards for answers. Just send an inquiry or request a callback, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-get-notified-right-away-when-your-tax-return-is-accepted\"><strong><strong>Get notified right away when your tax return is accepted<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within 24 hours of e-filing, you\u2019ll receive an email from ezTaxReturn letting you know the IRS has accepted your tax return. From there, you can begin tracking your tax refund using the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Where\u2019s My Refund?<\/a>\u201d tool on IRS.gov. You\u2019ll need your refund amount, SSN, and filing status to check your refund status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-you-may-receive-promotional-offers-for-financial-products\"><strong><strong>You may receive promotional offers for financial products<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may be wondering how tax companies make money if everyone\u2019s filing for free. The answer is simple: some companies use the data on your tax return to promote products or services they think will help your financial life. This includes things like loans and credit cards. If you apply and get approved, they earn a commission from the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-watch-out-for-the-bait-and-switch\"><strong><strong>Watch out for the bait-and-switch<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Always read the fine print before beginning your tax return so you\u2019re not blindsided by unexpected fees. As we mentioned earlier, &#8220;free&#8221; doesn\u2019t mean free for everyone. The problem is you usually don\u2019t realize you\u2019re ineligible until you\u2019re hit with charges when you try to file taxes for free. After committing all that time and effort, you\u2019ll be mad, but probably not enough to walk away. Some tax companies know this and like to take advantage. Not ezTaxReturn. We prefer to give you honest and transparent pricing so you can make the best decision for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-you-really-file-taxes-for-free\"><strong>Can you really file taxes for free?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In conclusion, free federal tax filing is available if you have a simple tax situation. For those who qualify, using online tax preparation software or IRS Free File allows you to file taxes free online and potentially save hundreds of dollars. Make sure you understand the eligibility requirements and consider your tax situation carefully to determine if free federal tax filing is the right choice for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size aligncenter has-medium-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eztaxreturn.com\/?utm_dest=site&amp;action=start_return&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_term=taxesforfree&amp;gid=taxesforfree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get Started Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The articles and content published on this blog are provided for informational purposes only. The information presented is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, legal, financial, or professional advice. Readers are advised to seek appropriate professional guidance and conduct their own due diligence before making any decisions based on the information provided.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The information in this article is up to date for tax year 2024 (returns filed in 2025). At tax time, you\u2019re bombarded with ads for free tax returns. It\u2019s everywhere \u2013 your TV, billboards, social media, and even the Super Bowl. Even if you\u2019ve never tried online tax filing before, those \u201cfree free free\u201d commercials [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":42049,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tax-tips-and-planning"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.13 (Yoast SEO v20.13) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Can You Really Prepare and File Your Taxes for Free?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering about free tax returns? Discover how to file taxes for free online, the pros and cons of free federal tax filing, and eligibility.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can You Really Prepare and File Your Taxes for Free?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Wondering about free tax returns? Discover how to file taxes for free online, the pros and cons of free federal tax filing, and eligibility.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ezTaxReturn.com Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ezTaxReturn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-04T00:37:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-04T00:38:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/File-Your-Taxes-for-Free.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"533\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ezTaxReturn Expert Staff\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ezTaxReturn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ezTaxReturn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ezTaxReturn Expert Staff\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"ezTaxReturn Expert Staff\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/53293fc1f8f3940b232359e95b10360b\"},\"headline\":\"Can You Really Prepare and File Your Taxes for Free?\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-04T00:37:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-04T00:38:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/\"},\"wordCount\":1120,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Tax Tips &amp; Planning\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/can-you-really-prepare-and-file-your-taxes-for-free\/\",\"name\":\"Can You Really Prepare and File Your Taxes for Free?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/staging.eztaxreturn.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-04T00:37:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-04T00:38:18+00:00\",\"description\":\"Wondering about free tax returns? 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