---
title: "IRS Free File for 2025 Taxes: How to File for Free"
locale: en
category: how_to
category_name: "How-to"
translation_status: reviewed
license: cc_by
author: "OnBinder Editorial Team"
source_url: https://onbinder.com/en/articles/irs-free-file-2025-tax-return-filing-guide
published_at: 2026-10-05T11:10:17+09:00
---

# IRS Free File for 2025 Taxes: How to File for Free

> If you filed for an extension on time, the deadline to file your 2025 federal income tax return is October 15, 2026. Check the requirements for free filing through the official IRS site, and confirm your return’s acceptance and your tax payment separately.

## Key Points

- Check your extension request records and disaster-related notices to determine your filing deadline.
- Gather your 2025 income documents, proof of deductions, and information from your prior-year return needed for an electronic signature.
- Choose a free filing option on the official IRS Free File page.
- Check each provider’s eligibility rules and state tax fees, then submit your 2025 tax return.
- Check the IRS response to your filing, and keep a copy of your return and your payment confirmation.

If you filed an extension on time, the deadline to file your 2025 tax return is October 15, 2026. Gather your income documents and choose a free filing option through the IRS. For guided software, the income limit is a 2025 AGI of $89,000 or less.

The deadline and income limit are based on an IRS announcement dated August 26, 2026.

## How to file through an official IRS option

Start on the official IRS Free File page. IRS Free File lets eligible taxpayers file federal tax returns for free. Choose between guided software and electronic forms that you fill out yourself.

1. **Check your filing deadline.** Have your extension confirmation or filing record ready. If you qualify for disaster tax relief, check the IRS notice for your area.
2. **Gather your filing documents.** Prepare your 2025 income documents and proof of deductions. Have the prior-year tax return information needed for your electronic signature ready, too.
3. **Go to the IRS Free File page.** For guided filing, select “Free Guided Tax Software.” To fill out forms yourself, go to Free File Fillable Forms.
4. **Check the requirements and submit your return.** Review each guided software provider’s income, age, and state residency requirements. Check the cost of filing a state tax return before creating an account.
5. **Check whether the IRS accepted your return.** If you receive a rejection notice, correct the error and submit it again. Keep a copy of your return and the acceptance confirmation.

Going directly to a provider’s regular sales site does not put you on the Free File path. Use the dedicated link from the IRS. You can find detailed steps in the [IRS Korean-language Free File guide](https://www.irs.gov/ko/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free).

## Documents to prepare before filing

First, gather the income documents and proof of deductions that apply to you. Check the names and taxpayer identification numbers on the documents. Prepare the account information you will use for a refund or payment separately.

| Category | Documents and information to prepare |
|---|---|
| Personal and family information | SSN or ITIN, name, and address for each person included on the return |
| 2025 income | W-2, applicable 1099 forms, and other income statements |
| Self-employment and side work | Records of income, business expenses, and estimated tax payments |
| Deductions and tax credits | Proof of applicable education expenses, care expenses, charitable contributions, and other items |
| Electronic signature | Prior-year AGI or a signature PIN you chose yourself for the prior year |
| Identity protection | IP PIN, if the IRS issued you one |
| Refund or payment | Bank account number and bank identification number, called a routing number |

Not every filer needs every document. If you used a health insurance marketplace, check Form 1095-A as well. The [IRS document preparation guide](https://www.irs.gov/filing/gather-your-documents) has a list for different personal circumstances.

## Filing deadlines by situation

October 15, 2026, is generally the filing deadline for individuals who filed an extension on time. Using Free File does not automatically extend your filing deadline. Check separately for exceptions related to disaster relief or living abroad.

| Your situation | Applicable deadline or rule | What to check now |
|---|---|---|
| Valid extension requested by the regular deadline | Deadline to file a 2025 return is October 15, 2026 | Extension filing record and whether your return is ready |
| No extension and no other exception | Regular filing deadline is April 15, 2026 | How to handle a late return and unpaid taxes |
| Eligible for IRS disaster tax relief | Deadline set in the notice for your area | Covered area, applicable taxes, and filing and payment deadlines |
| Citizens, resident aliens, and others living outside the United States | Separate extension rules may apply if requirements are met | Rules for people living abroad and records of any additional extension |

The basic filing deadline rules are in the [IRS extension guide](https://www.irs.gov/filing/get-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return). Check the [IRS disaster tax relief guide](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations) for covered areas and what the relief applies to.

### Can I request a new extension now?

The period for requesting a 2025 extension through Free File has already ended. The income limit for guided filing did not apply to free extension requests. But requesting an extension and submitting a return are separate functions. The current status is stated in the [IRS guide to requesting an extension through Free File](https://www.irs.gov/filing/file-an-extension-through-irs-free-file).

## Guided software compared with electronic forms

If you want to prepare your return by answering questions, first check whether you qualify for guided software. If you can fill out tax forms yourself, electronic forms are another option. With either method, check that the forms you need are supported.

| Comparison | Guided software | Free File Fillable Forms |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 income limit | AGI of $89,000 or less | No income limit |
| Additional requirements | Vary by provider, including income, age, and state residency | Check account creation requirements and supported forms |
| How you prepare the return | Software helps you prepare it as you answer questions | Select and fill out the forms you need yourself |
| Calculations and error checks | Provides calculations and error checks | Limited calculations and error checks |
| Cost to file a federal return | Free if you meet the provider’s requirements | Free |
| State tax returns | Some are free; check costs by provider | Not supported |

$89,000 is not the threshold below which you owe no tax. It is the income limit used to choose a free guided filing service. Even if you meet the income limit, check each provider’s additional requirements. This comparison is based on the [IRS guide to choosing a Free File option](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free).

### Requirements to check before using electronic forms

Free File Fillable Forms requires a U.S. mobile phone number that can receive text messages. It must be a 10-digit U.S. number. You also need an email address, and using a computer is recommended.

- Create a new account for this filing season even if you have used the service before.
- Check whether it supports the forms and attachments you need.
- Access may be restricted in some areas for security reasons.
- File your state tax return separately.

You can find the detailed requirements in the [IRS electronic forms guide](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms).

## AGI for free filing eligibility and electronic signatures

Use the correct AGI year for free filing eligibility and for your electronic signature. AGI is your total income minus certain allowed adjustments. It is calculated before the standard deduction or itemized deductions.

| Purpose | Year to check when filing a 2025 return | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility for free guided filing | 2025 AGI | Use the income and adjustments included in this return |
| Prior-year AGI for an electronic signature | 2024 AGI | Check your prior-year return or IRS tax records |

This distinction follows the IRS income limit and prior-year verification rules. Do not decide whether you qualify for free filing this year based only on your 2024 AGI. On the electronic signature screen, check the year it asks for.

If you do not know your prior-year AGI, check the tax records in your IRS online account. If you were issued an IP PIN, enter it in the appropriate field in the software. The concept is explained in the [IRS definition of AGI](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/definition-of-adjusted-gross-income). For verification methods, see the [IRS electronic filing verification guide](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/validating-your-electronically-filed-tax-return).

## Filing extensions and tax payment deadlines

A regular filing extension does not postpone the tax payment deadline. Unless a separate exception applies, the deadline to pay 2025 taxes is April 15, 2026. Penalties and interest may accrue on unpaid taxes.

The IRS’s “IRS Free File: File Your Taxes for Free” states:

> Keep in mind that an extension only extends the deadline to file your tax return, not the deadline to pay.

Do not put off filing even if you cannot pay the full amount. The IRS advises paying what you can first. Check IRS payment plans for ways to pay the remaining balance. This principle is also stated in the [IRS announcement dated August 26, 2026](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminder-extension-filers-can-use-irs-free-file-this-summer).

## Disaster extensions and the free service end date

Even if disaster relief postpones your filing deadline, check the free service’s end date separately. The IRS says Free File is available through October 15, 2026. Your tax deadline and the dates the service operates are separate.

Considering the two official notices together makes clear what you need to check. Do not delay using Free File based only on the filing deadline in a disaster notice. If you file after the service ends, you will need to check other IRS filing options.

## Confirming acceptance and payment after submission

Check separately that your return was transmitted, accepted by the IRS, and that your tax was paid. A pending transmission status for electronic forms does not mean the IRS has accepted your return. IRS acceptance also does not mean the tax has been withdrawn from your account.

1. **Check the acceptance status.** Accepted means the IRS has received your return for processing.
2. **Address any rejection.** If the status is Rejected, follow the error notice, make corrections, and submit the return again.
3. **Check the payment separately.** Confirm the withdrawal from your account or check your payment confirmation record.
4. **Keep your records.** Save the return you submitted and your acceptance and payment confirmations.

The distinction between acceptance and payment is stated in the [IRS electronic forms guide](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms).

## Other free filing help

If preparing a return yourself is difficult, check the eligibility requirements for free filing assistance. VITA and TCE help eligible people file basic returns. If you have a military-related qualification, you can also consider MilTax.

| Option | What to check |
|---|---|
| VITA and TCE | Personal eligibility, types of returns supported, and local schedules |
| MilTax | Military-related eligibility and scope of support |

Do not determine whether you can use these services based only on the Free File deadline. Check each service’s actual operating schedule. These options are described in the [IRS guide to free filing in 2026](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2026-tax-filing-season-opens-with-several-free-filing-options-available).

## FAQ

### If I requested an extension for my 2025 return, when must I file?
Generally, if you obtained a valid extension by the deadline, you must file by October 15, 2026. If separate rules, such as disaster relief, apply, check the relevant IRS notice.

### Is it free if my 2025 AGI is exactly $89,000?
You meet the income limit for the guided program. However, you must also meet the provider's additional eligibility requirements to file a federal tax return for free.

### Is AGI the same as annual salary or take-home pay?
No. AGI is your total income minus certain allowable adjustments. It is the amount before the standard deduction or itemized deductions are applied.

### If my AGI exceeds $89,000, can I no longer file for free?
Free File Fillable Forms is available with no income limit. You must complete the forms yourself, so check the supported forms and account requirements.

### Is state tax filing free too?
Only some guided providers offer free state tax filing. Check each provider's conditions and costs. Free File Fillable Forms does not support state tax filing.

### Can I start directly on a provider's website?
To use IRS Free File, start through the dedicated link on the official IRS page. A provider's regular sales site is different from the Free File path.

### Is October 15 the filing deadline even if I did not request an extension?
No, it does not apply automatically. The regular deadline was April 15, 2026. Check separately whether disaster relief or an exception related to living abroad applies.

### Can I request an extension for my 2025 return through Free File now?
The period for requesting a 2025 extension through Free File has ended. The income limit for a free extension request and the income threshold for free tax return preparation are separate rules.

### If I extended my filing deadline, can I pay my taxes in October too?
A standard filing extension does not extend the payment deadline. Unless a separate exception applies, the payment deadline for 2025 taxes is April 15, 2026.

### Which year's AGI do I enter on the electronic signature screen?
If your 2025 return asks for your prior-year AGI, check your 2024 AGI. Do not confuse it with the 2025 AGI used to determine eligibility for free guided filing.

### Can I use the electronic forms without a US mobile phone number?
A Free File Fillable Forms account requires a 10-digit US mobile phone number that can receive text messages. If you cannot meet this requirement, check other filing options.

### If a disaster extends the deadline, can I use Free File for longer?
You must check the disaster-related filing deadline and the program's operating dates separately. The IRS announced that access to Free File in 2026 ends on October 15.

### If “Accepted” appears, does that mean my tax payment is complete too?
Accepted means the IRS has received your return for processing. Check separately whether the tax has been withdrawn or payment has been completed.

### Can I also file overdue returns from before 2024 through Free File?
You cannot use this Free File service to file returns for past years. Check the IRS guidance on filing past-due returns for other options.

## Sources

- [IRS reminder: Extension filers can use IRS Free File this summer, IR-2026-101, August 26, 2026](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminder-extension-filers-can-use-irs-free-file-this-summer)
- [IRS Free File: File your taxes for free](https://www.irs.gov/ko/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free)
- [IRS: E-file: Do your taxes for free](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free)
- [IRS: Get an extension to file your tax return](https://www.irs.gov/filing/get-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return)
- [IRS: File an extension through IRS Free File](https://www.irs.gov/filing/file-an-extension-through-irs-free-file)
- [IRS: Free File Fillable Forms](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/free-file-fillable-forms)
- [IRS: Gather your documents](https://www.irs.gov/filing/gather-your-documents)
- [IRS: Definition of adjusted gross income](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/definition-of-adjusted-gross-income)
- [IRS: Validating your electronically filed tax return](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/validating-your-electronically-filed-tax-return)
- [IRS: Tax relief in disaster situations](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations)
- [IRS: 2026 tax filing season opens with several free filing options available](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2026-tax-filing-season-opens-with-several-free-filing-options-available)
- [IRS Free File free guided software selection tool](https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile)

## Images

![A man in a blue sweater taps an option on a tablet at a dining table covered with paperwork.](https://onbinder.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MjQ4MzcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--3fc5d3ac8bff9da718477d57460d5938d9a141ed/ai-060cb5b3.webp)
![An older woman in a green cardigan reviews tax paperwork with a volunteer beside a laptop at a library.](https://onbinder.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MjQ4NDMsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--30ea5a77731bbbc47e851a1a07fc2c853016b4e1/ai-79c6385a.webp)