Many tax-software companies have free tiers, but most only accept federal returns and a limited number of schedules. Through the end of February, TurboTax will process any state and federal returns for free, not matter how complicated.
The offer applies to all income levels, whether you’re itemizing deductions, declaring income from freelance work or investments or submitting other specialized forms. It's only for DIY filing, though — TurboTax Expert products with on-demand or dedicated help from tax pros are not eligible.
You cannot have used TurboTax to file last year and must file through the TurboTax or Credit Karma mobile app by 11:59 pm ET on Feb. 28, 2026.
TurboTax
Free version
If you have a simple Form 1040 return only (no forms or schedules except as needed to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, student loan interest, and Schedule 1-A), you can file for free yourself with TurboTax Free Edition, or you can file with TurboTax Expert Assist Basic at the listed price. Roughly 37% of taxpayers are eligible.
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
Expert Assist plan includes unlimited assistance and final review. Expert Full Service includes a dedicated expert to complete and file your return.
Tax refund advance loan
Yes
Read our review of TurboTax tax software.
If you don't qualify for TurboTax's free promotion
You may still be able to file through TurboTax's traditional free tier, which accepts simple state and federal returns with W-2 income, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, deductions for student loan interest and some interest and dividends. According to Intuit, approximately 37% of taxpayers qualify for its regular no-cost plan.
If you don't qualify for the free tier — or just prefer to hand the job off to a professional — full-service filing is available for a flat fee of $150 through Feb. 28, regardless of your tax situation.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
The Deluxe plan comes with priority support and live chat, while the paid Pro Support tier adds access to a tax pro, phone support, live screenshare and assistance with federal and state returns
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
TaxAct Xpert Assist is available starting at $45
100% accuracy and maximum refund
Terms apply
Other ways to file for free
IRS FreeFile
Direct File, which allowed taxpayers in 24 states to file for free directly through the IRS, was terminated in 2025. But a reported 70% of taxpayers still meet income requirements for Free File, a partnership between the IRS and commercial prep sites like TaxSlayer and FreeTaxUSA.
Depending on which software platform you qualify for, you may get both federal and state filing for free.
DIY tax software programs
TurboTax is just one of the many commercial tax-prep companies with a free tier. H&R Block is one of the most popular, thanks to its easy-to-navigate interface. FreeTaxUSA supports more schedules, including itemized deductions and investment income. (State returns with FreeTaxUsa are $15.99 each.)
H&R Block
Free version
Yes
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
Live chat available with all paid plans
Tax refund advance loan
Yes
Read our H&R Block tax software review
FreeTaxUSA
Plans
Free: Basic (simple returns w/child tax credit, EITC, unemployment, retirement income), Premium (Itemized deductions, interest, dividends), Investment (stocks, crypto, dividends, rental income), Self-employed (Business income and deductions, Schedule C, K-1, 1120-S, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC).
Paid: Deluxe ($7.99) and Pro Support ($64.99 ).Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
Deluxe plan includes priority support, live chat and unlimited amended returns. Pro Support adds access to a tax professional, live screen share and other features.
Tax refund advance loan
No
Terms apply
Read our review of FreeTaxUSA
Banking apps and credit cards
A growing number of lenders and financial platforms are adding tax-filing options to keep customers in their ecosystems.
In 2026, PayPal Debit Card partnered with April to offer cardholders free federal and state tax filing. Users can receive federal tax refunds up to five days early with PayPal Direct Deposit, or put the funds into PayPal Savings, a no-fee, high-yield savings account provided by Synchrony Bank.
The PayPal Debit Card allows you to earn up to 5% back (earned as PayPal points) in everyday spending categories, which is rarer for a debit card. See terms at paypal.com/rewardspal
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- A debit card for you to spend your PayPal balance. (The PayPal Debit Mastercard® is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. ("The Bancorp") pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated and may be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp is issuer of the Card only and not responsible for the associated accounts or other products, services, or offers from PayPal. PayPal is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Card is linked to your PayPal Balance Account. See PayPal Balance Terms and Conditions.)
- Earn 5% back on a category (earned as points) you choose each month on up to $1,000 of monthly category spend. Pick a category each month – Groceries, Fuel, Restaurants, Apparel, and Rideshare/Public Transit. Find the latest available categories in the PayPal app. (5% back earned as points on up to $1,000 of selected category spend per month. Earned as points redeemable for multiple options. Terms apply.)
- Stack rewards with other offers. Find offers from top brands in the PayPal app. Simply choose a monthly category to earn 5% back (earned as points), save relevant offers in your selected category in the PayPal app, and checkout with the PayPal Debit Card online through PayPal checkout. (Offers are subject to availability. Redeem points at checkout and for other options. PayPal Rewards terms and merchant offer terms and exclusions apply. Offers change often so refer to merchant site for the most accurate information. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase.)
- Use your card online and in store, anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Pay with your phone. Add your card to your phone's mobile wallet and tap to pay in store with Apple Pay (Apple Pay is a service provided by Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc. Neither Apple Inc. nor Apple Payments Services LLC is a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer), Google Pay (Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC.) or Samsung Pay (Samsung Pay is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
- No monthly fees or credit check (This is not a credit card)
- Withdraw cash at ATMs. It's free at U.S. MoneyPass ATMs (ATMs must display the Mastercard®, Cirrus®, Pulse® or MoneyPass® acceptance marks. Up to $400 USD daily withdrawal limit applies. Transactions at non-MoneyPass ATMs have a $2.50 ATM Domestic and International Withdrawal Fee. No fee for MoneyPass ATM Withdrawals in the U.S. International Transaction Fee applies for International ATM Withdrawals. ATM operator fees may also apply. See Cardholder Agreement for details.)
- Easily manage your card in the PayPal app. The app is your hub to save offers, check your PayPal balance, quickly add money before you shop and track your transactions. Plus, redeem your points, lock and unlock your card, and find an ATM.
- Protection from PayPal. Get peace of mind with purchase protection on eligible items. (PayPal Purchase Protection is available on eligible transactions. Terms and limitations apply. See PayPal Purchase Protection Terms and exclusions.)
- Plus, Mastercard's Zero Liability, built-in chip technology, and temporary card locking capabilities help keep your money safe. (Conditions and exceptions apply – see Cardholder Agreement.)
- Add cash in store. (Up to $3.95 cash reload fee applies. The service fee is to add cash into your PayPal Balance account.)
Cash App Taxes processes both federal and state taxes for free. There is no live help, but users aren’t upsold or rerouted to paid tiers.
Cash App Taxes
Free version
Yes
Guarantee
Guarantees 100% accuracy and maximum refund
Live support
No
Tax refund advance loan
No
Read our review of Cash App Taxes
Chime* processes simple state and federal returns directly through its app. Members who set up direct deposit with the banking platform can get their federal tax refund up to six days early.
Online banks Varo and Current process federal returns for accountholders. Known for its short-term cash advances, mobile banking app MoneyLion offers free filing to customers with RoarMoney bank accounts.
Owe back taxes? A tax relief company may be able to help
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*Chime: Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
