--- title: How to File Your Taxes for Free With TurboTax This Year description: Looking to file your income taxes for free? TurboTax Free Edition is available most of the year for simple returns. authors: - name: Julia Glum role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/julia-glum/ bio: A graduate of the University of Florida, Julia has more than eight years of experience in personal finance journalism. In addition to overseeing news and newsletters, she leads Money’s tax coverage, which includes extensive reporting on tax credits, policy changes and the IRS. education: University of Florida at_money_since: 2018 articles: 454 covers: - Taxes - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Technology also_seen_in: - Newsweek - International Business Times - CBS News - Good Morning America - WUSA9 - Pix 11 - The New York Times - Mashable - The Washington Post - CNBC - Politico social: - https://x.com/superjulia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-glum editors: - name: Katherine Peach role: Associate Editor url: https://money.com/author/katherine-peach/ bio: Katherine Peach is an associate editor with a focus on news and email at Money. She didn’t always intend to write about money. She’s a classically trained pianist who dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. However, in 2007 Katherine began working in financial publishing as an editor for Agora Inc. (Apparently, unearthing ideas about improving your personal finances isn’t such a bad career alternative!) Katherine’s writing and editing work has been featured in Investing Daily, Clever, Investor Junkie, The Palm Beach Letter, Truth & Plenty, Independence Monthly, NICHE, AmericanStyle, AntiqueWeek, Millennial Money, Money Done Right, TheStreet, Sure Dividend and many others. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Studies with concentrations in Archaeology and Ancient Languages and a minor in Literature from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. education: University of Maryland, Baltimore County at_money_since: 2025 articles: 14 covers: - Taxes - Banking - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Federal Reserve Rate Cuts - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping published: '2026-11-04T16:49:44.000Z' modified: '2026-11-04T16:49:44.000Z' section: Taxes tags: - News word_count: 992 canonical: https://money.com/file-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax/ type: NewsArticle source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Smartphone with Turbotax logo on screen on top of a 1040 tax document](https://img.money.com/2023/02/News-File-Taxes-Free-TurboTax.jpg) ## Key Takeaways - TurboTax's e-filing options, including TurboTax Free Edition, are now offline. - Taxpayers with extensions had until the Oct. 15 deadline to file their 2025 income taxes. - If you still haven't filed, you should print and mail your tax return to the IRS ASAP. The IRS is working through roughly 20 million income tax returns filed ahead of the Oct. 15 extended tax deadline — and that's in addition to the 144 million it received this spring. While many folks paid to prepare their taxes, some of the savviest taxpayers filed those 1040s for free. If you still haven't filed your 2025 taxes, you should take action immediately to avoid further penalties. Crucially, time is also up to take advantage of free online tax-filing services. 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 tax return — ideally via certified mail with a return receipt. ### Rated A+ by the BBB ![VISIT SITE](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/14979/medium_d9420f2c-6d0b-4726-b903-60fb37740830.png) Our Partner [VISIT SITE](https://money.com/go/cdd1beb24d6d?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&bidid=4280799629&pmeta=p129-c739-u50355&ptid=692013801&ptoken=9ec8bc7cbd1f515fc2405cb95086b9cd&ua=Mozilla%2F5.0+AppleWebKit%2F537.36+%28KHTML%2C+like+Gecko%3B+compatible%3B+ClaudeBot%2F1.0%3B+%2Bclaudebot%40anthropic.com%29&zip=43215&apxa1=homepage) ### Over 15 years of Experience ![VISIT SITE](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/36123/medium_d8e31451-10fb-4690-a053-85981545c371.webp) Our Partner [VISIT SITE](https://money.com/go/753ccc27470e?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&bidid=4280799637&pmeta=p129-c739-u50355&ptid=692013801&ptoken=acdcabe7945ca19831f3fd32ac69aec4&ua=Mozilla%2F5.0+AppleWebKit%2F537.36+%28KHTML%2C+like+Gecko%3B+compatible%3B+ClaudeBot%2F1.0%3B+%2Bclaudebot%40anthropic.com%29&zip=43215&apxa1=homepage) ### 12+ years of tax resolution experience ![VISIT SITE](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/19221/medium_21c467f5-9614-45a6-a827-5c1698cf1de6.png) Our Partner [VISIT SITE](https://money.com/go/d37c1d10778b?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&bidid=4280799627&pmeta=p129-c739-u50355&ptid=692013801&ptoken=e91d5d3bc20eb9d4394f68864b1a0c75&ua=Mozilla%2F5.0+AppleWebKit%2F537.36+%28KHTML%2C+like+Gecko%3B+compatible%3B+ClaudeBot%2F1.0%3B+%2Bclaudebot%40anthropic.com%29&zip=43215&apxa1=homepage) ### 21+ years in service ![VISIT SITE](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/37015/medium_cb5bc133-3b62-412b-9420-e17d1c5aaa63.webp) Our Partner [VISIT SITE](https://money.com/go/7cc5747932fb?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&bidid=4280799635&pmeta=p129-c739-u50355&ptid=692013801&ptoken=cd2500793397fc4adaabfc9c68070c84&ua=Mozilla%2F5.0+AppleWebKit%2F537.36+%28KHTML%2C+like+Gecko%3B+compatible%3B+ClaudeBot%2F1.0%3B+%2Bclaudebot%40anthropic.com%29&zip=43215&apxa1=homepage) ### 24/7 Client Portal Access ![VISIT SITE](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/38669/medium_134094f5-0d61-4290-98dd-6ea7bc5551c2.webp) Our Partner [VISIT SITE](https://money.com/go/d88cfa5ebd4a?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&bidid=4280799631&pmeta=p129-c739-u50355&ptid=692013801&ptoken=9c939a93baaa3f065a1fb4fc79ab471f&ua=Mozilla%2F5.0+AppleWebKit%2F537.36+%28KHTML%2C+like+Gecko%3B+compatible%3B+ClaudeBot%2F1.0%3B+%2Bclaudebot%40anthropic.com%29&zip=43215&apxa1=homepage) ## Is TurboTax free? [TurboTax](https://money.com/pr/ud31501196cb?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%252F&apxa1=homepage) is usually free for people who have simple 1040 tax returns with no special situations and do not opt for any add-ons. (See below for details.) Historically, though, there has been some controversy about whether TurboTax's "free" offerings were really free. Intuit [announced in 2021](https://money.com/turbotax-irs-free-file-2022/) that it had chosen not to renew its participation in IRS Free File, a public-private initiative that allows certain taxpayers to access free guided tax prep. Although TurboTax had been part of IRS Free File since its 2003 launch, the company pulled out, blaming "limitations within the program and conflicting demands from those outside the program." It wasn't a smooth exit. The decision came a few years after [ProPublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/turbotax-deliberately-hides-its-free-file-page-from-search-engines) published a story alleging that TurboTax used code to purposefully hide its IRS Free File product from Google and other search engines. (After the article went live, Intuit changed the code.) In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission filed a [legal complaint](https://money.com/turbotax-free-file-ftc-complaint/) accusing Intuit of running deceptive ads that tricked folks into thinking doing their taxes through TurboTax was free, only to learn at the end of the process — "after they have invested time and effort gathering and inputting into TurboTax their sensitive personal and financial information" — that they'd have to upgrade to a paid service. Then, in 2024, the FTC [formally prohibited](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/01/ftc-issues-opinion-finding-turbotax-maker-intuit-inc-engaged-deceptive-practices) Intuit from advertising anything as free "unless it is free for all consumers or it discloses clearly and conspicuously and in close proximity to the 'free' claim the percentage of taxpayers or consumers that qualify." Intuit appealed, saying in a statement to Money in 2025 that "over the last 11 years, we’ve helped more than 130 million Americans file their taxes free of charge — more than all other tax prep software companies combined." It added it "has always been clear, fair and transparent with its customers and is committed to free tax preparation." ## Can I still file my 2025 taxes for free through TurboTax? No. TurboTax Free Edition, along with other TurboTax e-filing products, was live through 3 a.m. PT on Tuesday (Nov. 3). It is no longer available. It was intended for simple 1040 returns only, meaning you don't file any supplemental forms or schedules except those needed for the earned income tax credit, student loan interest deduction and the 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 to just have W-2 income and take 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 start your return(s) for free. Earlier in the season, paid options included TurboTax Expert Assist, which let you ask questions to experts and have them review your return for accuracy before you file, and Expert Full Service, in which a tax expert fully did your federal and state taxes for you. ## Why is TurboTax not free? Not all TurboTax products are free because it's a business. TurboTax is owned by Intuit, which is a public company. Intuit says it brought in $4.4 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, which ended on July 31 for the company. On its website, TurboTax has a frequently asked questions section that tackles the issue of "how does TurboTax make money?" The answer: "We want our customers to love our products and services. Because we have customers who pay for our premium products and services, we can offer free tax filing to many customers." ## Who gets TurboTax free? Intuit says about 37% of taxpayers typically qualify to use TurboTax's DIY Free Edition, which is meant for filing simple Form 1040 returns only. TurboTax Online products are also usually free if you're an active-duty or reserve member of an enlisted rank in the U.S. military. If you get a W-2 from the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS), you generally qualify for free federal and state tax prep through the TurboTax Military Discount, no matter whether you choose free, deluxe or premium services. (The discount does not apply to TurboTax Experts or TurboTax Desktop products.) See more details on TurboTax's [website](https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/military-edition.jsp). ## Other ways to file your taxes for free in 2026 Earlier in the season, taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $89,000 or less in 2025 were eligible for [IRS Free File](https://money.com/irs-free-file-income-limit-2026/), which offered free guided tax prep from one of eight name-brand companies. (Above that income threshold, you could access Free File Fillable Forms, which required more tax knowledge.) IRS Free File has closed for the year; the IRS has published a note on its website telling taxpayers to "please check back January 2027." [IRS Direct File](https://money.com/irs-direct-file-end-2026/), an initiative that enabled taxpayers who lived and worked in 25 states in 2025 to file federal taxes online directly with the IRS, has shut down for good. TurboTax competitors like H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes also usually have free software available online during tax season. Earlier in 2026, certain Chime, Acorns Gold, Robinhood and PayPal debit card customers were also able to access free tax prep through partnerships with april, an AI-powered tax engine. ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/14979/large_d9420f2c-6d0b-4726-b903-60fb37740830.png) Get peace of mind with Anthem Tax Services [Get Started](https://money.com/pr/j1f1d0688bbe?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&url=&apxa1=homepage) ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/14979/medium_d9420f2c-6d0b-4726-b903-60fb37740830.png) Owe over $10,000 in taxes? Get Tax Relief with Anthem now! [Get Started](https://money.com/pr/l978cd9f37e2?ap_referrer=%2Ffile-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax%2F&apxa1=homepage) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/file-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Taxes", "item": "https://money.com/taxes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "How to File Your Taxes for Free With TurboTax This Year" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/file-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/file-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax/", "name": "How to File Your Taxes for Free With TurboTax This Year", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2026-11-04T16:49:44.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/file-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/file-taxes-for-free-with-turbotax/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2026-11-04T16:49:44.000Z" }, { "@type": "NewsArticle", "headline": "How to File Your Taxes for Free With TurboTax This Year", "articleSection": "Taxes", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2023/02/News-File-Taxes-Free-TurboTax.jpg", "width": 2880, "height": 1920, "caption": "News-File-Taxes-Free-TurboTax" } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Julia Glum", "url": "https://money.com/author/julia-glum/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/julia-glum/#author", "description": "A graduate of the University of Florida, Julia has more than eight years of experience in personal finance journalism. 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