Best Free Tax Software to Complete Your Tax Return in 2025

Filing taxes doesn’t have to be a headache — especially when you have access to free software that simplifies the process. 

Several software programs offer secure, user-friendly features to help you maximize deductions and ensure accuracy when you file your taxes by the April 15 deadline. 

Whether you’re a freelancer, a small-business owner or an individual filer, the right free tax software can save you time and money.

Keep reading to learn more about the best free tax software that will make tax season less stressful.

What Makes a Good Free Tax Software for Completing Your Tax Return in 2025?

The best free tax software offers valuable rewards like maximum refund guarantees, benefits such as automated deductions and user-friendly interfaces while providing security measures and IRS compliance.

IRS Free File

Qualified taxpayers can use IRS Free File’s guided tax preparation software to prepare and file federal income tax returns online. The IRS and industry-leading tax software companies deliver the program through the Free File Alliance, a public-private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people prepare and file their federal taxes electronically for free. The software is safe and easy to use.

You can choose one of the IRS's partner tax software companies if you have an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less. Then, answer simple questions to guide you through the process. Accurate math calculations are guaranteed, and the software offers free state tax preparation and filing. The program also is available in Spanish.

The IRS also offers free file fillable forms for taxpayers of any income level. You just enter your information into the online forms and follow the instructions. It does not offer state tax returns. 

Why We Picked It: The IRS’s Free File Alliance partners with trusted partners it trusts to help taxpayers file their returns, including TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA and TaxSlayer.

Tax Act

TaxAct lets you file your taxes for free if you meet certain conditions, including using IRS Form 1040 only, without attaching other forms or schedules. 

TaxAct covers W-2 income, unemployment income and retirement income. You can claim earned income tax credits, child tax credits, student loan interest and dependents. 

If you have investment income from stocks, interest, dividends, crypto or capital gains/losses, you cannot use this software. Freelancers, contractors or self-employed individuals don’t qualify. If you’re itemizing deductions, you’re also not eligible to file your tax returns with this software. If you don’t qualify, TaxAct offers paid filing options to help you easily file your taxes. 

TaxAct lets you import your prior year's tax return information, offers pro tips and a deduction maximizer and provides free account and technical support. 

Why We Picked It: You can add live tax advice to your free plan anytime for $60. You can speak with a real tax adviser over the phone to ask unlimited questions and get personalized advice. You can also request a quick return review before filing.

ezTaxReturn

You can file a simple federal tax return at no cost using ezTaxReturn’s software. 

EzTaxReturn will help you maximize your credits and deductions to get the biggest refund possible. It provides easy-to-follow instructions every step of the way and offers free support with callback or email options if you’re based in the United States. 

If you go through the IRS Free File program and live in a qualifying state, you can file your state taxes for free. If you go through ezTaxReturn, you must pay $24.99 to file your state tax return. 

If you’re not eligible to file your tax returns for free, ezTaxREturn has plans starting at $29.99.

Taxpayers are satisfied with how easy ezTaxReturn makes it to file their taxes, with one writing, “I paid a local tax preparer $480 to do my tax return. Then, I used ezTaxReturn. It saved me almost $700 in taxes. Also, it is simple to use and I feel secure with the service.” 

Why We Picked It: You can file a simple federal tax return in as little as 30 minutes with ezTaxReturn.

FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA offers an array of programs for filing your tax returns for free — even if you are self-employed or have investments in stocks or crypto. You can add a state tax return for $14.99. 

The free basic federal return is beginner-friendly and allows you to claim education, child and earned income tax credits. You can take a photo of your W-2 and import it into the software. It also allows you to claim unemployment and retirement income and provides customer support. 

FreeTaxUSA’s free Premium software lets you itemize deductions and claim homeowner taxes using forms 1098, 1049 and 8949. You can also account for health savings accounts (HSAs), medical expenses, charitable contributions and interest and dividends. 

If you have investments and rental income, FreeTaxUSA offers Investment software. You can account for crypto investments, mining and wages, stock and mutual fund trades, bonds, real estate and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

Why We Picked It: Self-employed workers aren’t eligible to use most free tax software, but FreeTaxUSA has you covered with its Self-Employed software. You can report business income, write-offs and deductions and use schedules C, K-1, 1120-S and 1099s.

TaxSlayer Simply Free

If your tax situation is simple, TaxSlayer Simply Free has you covered. You can prepare, print and electronically file your federal tax return for free if you qualify. 

TaxSlayer makes switching from another service easy. You can upload your tax return from the previous year, and the software will import the data for you. Then, you can make a year-over-year comparison before you file to make sure you don’t miss anything. 

TaxSlayer offers a 100% accuracy guarantee, and you get unlimited phone and email support — with a real person — when you need it. 

You can also choose how you receive your refund – direct deposit, a Visa debit card or a printed check. Most refunds are issued within 21 days of being accepted by the IRS.

Customers give TaxSlayer 4.3 out of 5 stars, with one writing, “TaxSlayer made doing my taxes simple, and they definitely slayed me with providing me with the best possible refund. 

Why We Picked It: The software allows you to include student loan interest deductions and education credits to help maximize your refund. 

Intuit TurboTax

The free version of TurboTax lets you snap a photo of your W-2 and upload it into the software to be auto-filled into this year’s tax form. You’ll answer a few questions, and the software will guide you step-by-step through completing your return. 

If you’re a returning customer, TurboTax will transfer last year’s information so you can save time and know that your tax return is accurate. 

You can claim student loan interest or credits for dependents. TurboTax guarantees you’ll get the maximum refund. But you can only use the TurboTax Free Edition to file a simple Form 1040 return — you can’t use any schedules except for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and student loan interest. 

TurboTax guarantees accurate calculations and a maximum refund and provides audit support for the full seven-year life of your tax return. 

Why We Picked It: Sometimes filing taxes takes longer than you think. TurboTax saves your information automatically, so you can switch devices and pick up where you left off — you can file your taxes entirely from your phone with TurboTax’s mobile app. 

E-file.com

E-file’s software guides you through the complicated process of filing your taxes and helps you prepare your return correctly if you’re single or filing jointly. When you use the platform, you can opt for:

• Free Federal Filing
• Deluxe Software, which is designed for those with dependents, retirement plans, need additional tax forms, and more.
• Premium Software, which is best suited for those with even more complicated returns or unique income streams, coming with extra support that may be required.

You can file online or print and mail your return online, or you can reach out to their customer service team via email or phone for help.

Why We Picked It: E-file makes the tax filing process as simple as possible, offers support and ensures that you can get your taxes done, no matter how complex they may be.

H&R Block Online Free Edition

If you have a simple tax situation, the H&R Block Online Free Edition is a good option for filing your tax returns for free in 2025. 

H&R Block’s free software is available to W-2 workers who use Form 1040 and only schedules for the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, student loan interest and retirement plan distributions. You can report limited interest and dividend income — up to $1,500 — on Form 1099-INT or Form 109-DIV.

This software is not for you if you are self-employed and have itemized deductions, rental income, capital gains and losses and contributions to HSAs. 

There’s no need to scan your documents or manually enter your W-2 information. You can use your phone to take a picture of your documents and upload them into the software. 

If you want to 100% ensure accuracy, you can pay $55 to have a tax pro review your return. 

Why We Picked It: If you file your tax return with H&R Block’s software, you can see where your refund is being processed. 

How We Chose These Free Tax Software for Completing Your Tax Return in 2025

Benzinga selected the recommended free tax software based on its accessibility, accuracy and user-friendliness. We prioritized software that participates in the IRS Free File program and adheres to IRS standards. We considered the breadth of tax forms and diverse tax situations covered and how much support is offered. Accuracy guarantees were also considered.

Frequently Asked Questions