WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Free File Guided Tax Software service is witnessing a substantial uptick in usage this tax season, with an increase of nearly 10% compared to the same period last year.
As of February 24, around 943,000 taxpayers had filed their tax returns through IRS Free File, marking a 9.7% surge from last year’s comparable period when 860,000 tax returns were initiated. This rise in the Free File usage coincides with a robust start to the 2024 tax filing season.
In the same period, the IRS delivered more than 28.9 million refunds to taxpayers, amounting to a whopping $92.9 billion. The average refund so far stands at $3,213, representing a 4.3% increase from 2023.
The Free File program, now in its 22nd filing season, provides taxpayers across the country free access to software products offered by trusted partners of the IRS. The service is available through the IRS website and is a result of a public-private partnership, wherein tax preparation and filing software providers offer their online products to eligible taxpayers.
This year, eight private-sector Free File partners are providing online guided tax software products to any taxpayer with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023. To gain free access to these online products, taxpayers must initiate their tax filing process from IRS Free File.
For those with an AGI above $79,000, the IRS’s Free File Fillable Forms are available. This product is best suited for individuals who are comfortable using IRS form instructions and publications when preparing their own taxes.
The IRS also has a special free help page on its website that provides an easy way to see many of the free services and options available to assist people with their taxes.
Participating trusted partners for the 2024 IRS Free File include 1040Now, Drake (1040.com), ezTaxReturn.com, FileYourTaxes.com, On-Line Taxes, TaxAct, TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA), and TaxSlayer. Notably, ezTaxReturn.com is providing an IRS Free File product in Spanish for 2024.
The growth in the use of IRS Free File highlights the increasing reliance on digital tools for tax filing and the value taxpayers find in accessible, easy-to-use software. With more individuals turning to these services, it’s clear that the convenience and user-friendly nature of online tax filing are resonating with the American public. The IRS’s continued efforts to enhance and promote these digital resources play a pivotal role in simplifying the often daunting task of tax filing for millions of Americans.
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