How Do I File My Taxes For Free in 2018?

The IRS’s Free File program allows those with adjusted gross incomes under $62k to use the Free File software for their federal taxes for no charge in a partnership with the Free File Alliance. Many states also partner with the FFA to offer free state tax returns to those that qualify, and some states offer free e-filing for all taxpayers. Tax return processing will begin January 19, 2016. So if you’re wondering “How Do I File My Taxes For Free?” keep on reading!

(Note: Every taxpayer regardless of income can file for free if you want to fill out the tax forms by hand. The free service being provided here is the software backend that does the calculations for you. Tax returns prepared electronically are generally more accurate than those filled out by hand, reducing processing time and the potential for penalties that result from errors in your filing.)

What can you do in January to prepare for tax season?

• Finish up any IRA contributions for 2018 (you have until April 15, 2019, to make 2018 IRA contributions).
• Look up the schedules your various financial institutions are planning on issuing your documentation (1099s, etc) so you can watch for them. Ask your employer when you will receive your W-2.
• If you are considering professional tax preparation and haven’t done so before (or are switching preparers), now is the time to be asking around to find a tax preparer. If you have an established relationship, it’s always nice to reach out to say you will/will not be going with the same person again.
• I’m sure you’ll have ideas as well, leave them in the comments.

Links to state tax portals are below:

Alabama – Free e-filing: http://revenue.alabama.gov/eservices/mat-signup-help.cfm

Alaska – No state income tax.

Arizona – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.azdor.gov/EServices/Individuals.aspx

Arkansas – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/incomeTax/eFile/Pages/freeFileProgram.aspx

California – Free filing through CalFile: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/online/calfile/index.asp?WT.mc_id=EfileOptions_Feature_CalFile_Start

Colorado – Free filing through Revenue Online: https://www.colorado.gov/revenueonline/_/

Connecticut – Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center: https://drsindtax.ct.gov/AUT/welcomeindividual.aspx

Delaware – Online filing: http://www.revenue.delaware.gov/pit_onlinefiling.shtml

District of Columbia – Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center: https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/individual/Ind_Logon.jsp?type=100

Florida – No state income tax.

Georgia – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://dor.georgia.gov/free-file-alliance

Hawaii – Free e-filing (fee to make a payment): http://tax.hawaii.gov/eservices/efile/

Idaho – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://tax.idaho.gov/i-1020.cfm

Illinois – Free e-filing: http://www.revenue.state.il.us/MyTax/IL-1040.htm

Indiana – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.in.gov/dor/4740.htm

Iowa – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: https://tax.iowa.gov/individual-income-tax-electronic-filing-options

Kansas – Free e-filing:  http://www.ksrevenue.org/iiwebfile.html

Kentucky – E-filing: http://revenue.ky.gov/etax.htm

Louisiana – Free e-filing: http://revenue.louisiana.gov/EServices/LouisianaFileOnline

Maine – Free iFile: http://www.maine.gov/revenue/netfile/IFileDesc.htm

Maryland – Free iFile: https://interactive.marylandtaxes.com/Individuals/iFile_ChooseForm/default.asp

Massachusetts – WebFile: https://wfb.dor.state.ma.us/webfile/wsi/

Michigan – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,4676,7-238-44070_46640-288774–,00.html

Minnesota – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/individuals/individ_income/Pages/Online_Filing_Software.aspx

Mississippi – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.dor.ms.gov/taxareas/individ/efiling/developers.html

Missouri – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://dor.mo.gov/personal/electronic.php

Montana – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: https://tap.dor.mt.gov/_/#2

Nebraska – Free NebFile: http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/electron/ind_e-file.html

Nevada – No state income tax.

New Hampshire – No state income tax.

New Jersey – Free NJWebFile: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pcfile/njwebfile.shtml

New Mexico – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: https://tap.state.nm.us/tap/_/

New York – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/default.htm

North Carolina – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.dornc.com/electronic/e-file.html

North Dakota – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.nd.gov/tax/indincome/elecfiling/

Ohio – Free e-filing: http://www.tax.ohio.gov/ohio_individual/individual/filefaster.aspx

Oklahoma – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: https://www.ok.gov/tax/Individuals/Income_Tax/E-File_Options/Free_File/

Oregon – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/individuals/Pages/individuals-e-filing.aspx

Pennsylvania – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.revenue.pa.gov/OnlineServices/PersonalIncomeTaxe-Services/Pages/File-My-Taxes-(PA-e-File).aspx#.VHSUtVXF_Iw

Rhode Island – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.tax.ri.gov/misc/efile.php

South Carolina – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.sctax.org/Electronic+Services/FastFile/default.htm

South Dakota – No state income tax.

Tennessee – No state income tax.

Texas – No state income tax.

Utah – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: https://tap.tax.utah.gov/TaxExpress/_/

Vermont – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.state.vt.us/tax/eservices.shtml

Virginia – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=freefile

Washington – No state income tax.

West Virginia – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://tax.wv.gov/Individuals/ElectronicFiling/Pages/FreeFileOptions.aspx

Wisconsin – e-filing through WI efile:  https://www.revenue.wi.gov/wi_efile/

Wyoming – No state income tax.