You sit down to file, your taxes are one W-2 and the standard deduction, and TurboTax still wants $60 or more by the time you add a state return. For a return this simple, that is money you can keep.
TurboTax is easy to use, but its free tier keeps shrinking and its upsell prompts push most filers into a paid version. If your situation is a W-2, maybe a credit like the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit, and a state return, several tools do the same job for free or for a few dollars. Here are six that handle a simple W-2 return well, what each one covers, and where the catches hide.
Quick Answer
- Cash App Taxes: free federal and state, no paid tiers.
- FreeTaxUSA: free federal for any situation, cheap state.
- H&R Block Free Online: free federal and state, offices for backup.
- IRS Free File: free guided software if your income qualifies.
- TaxSlayer Simply Free: free federal and one state, fast flow.
- TaxAct: guided free federal, state costs extra.
Quick Picks
| Tool | Best for | Free federal? | State cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash App Taxes | Paying nothing at all | Yes | $0 |
| FreeTaxUSA | Free federal, cheap state | Yes | About $15.99 per state |
| H&R Block Free Online | Free filing with in-person help nearby | Yes (simple returns) | $0 (simple returns) |
| IRS Free File | A government-backed free option | Yes, if AGI is $89,000 or less | Varies by partner |
| TaxSlayer Simply Free | A fast, no-frills basic return | Yes (simple returns) | $0 for one state (Simply Free) |
| TaxAct | Guided, TurboTax-style filing | Yes (eligible returns) | Extra (around $40 to $55) |
Table of Contents
How We Chose These
We focused on the situation most filers have: one or two W-2s, the standard deduction, and common credits like the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, or the student loan interest deduction. For that return, the questions that matter are simple. Is federal filing genuinely free, or free only until you hit a form you actually need? What does a state return cost, since that is where hidden fees usually appear? How aggressive are the upgrade prompts? We favored tools that keep a basic return free, state the price of a state return up front, and cover the credits an average W-2 household claims. We also flagged the income limits and restrictions that decide whether the free tier applies to you.
This article is general information, not tax advice. Free tiers, prices, and income limits change every filing season, and whether a tool is right for you depends on your own situation. Confirm the current price and which forms are covered on each provider’s page before you file, and check with the IRS or a tax professional if your return is more than a basic W-2.
1. Cash App Taxes: Free Federal and State With No Tiers
Cash App Taxes is the closest thing to a truly free filing option, and it is the one people on Reddit and X mention first. Federal and state returns both cost nothing, and there are no paid upgrade tiers waiting at the end. For a W-2 with the standard deduction and a credit or two, it does the whole job at $0.
- Best for: a straightforward W-2 filer who wants to pay nothing.
- Pros: free federal and state with no upsells; covers W-2 income, common credits, and even investments; quick on mobile.
- Cons: you need a Cash App account; customer support is thin; it cannot file multiple state returns and skips some less-common forms.
- Pricing: $0 federal, $0 state.
2. FreeTaxUSA: Free Federal, Low-Cost State
FreeTaxUSA keeps federal filing free even for returns that are more than basic, which is why long-time users keep recommending it as the value pick. A state return runs about $15.99, so a W-2 filer with a state return usually pays well under twenty dollars total. The interface is plainer than TurboTax, but the accuracy and the price are the draw. If your return later grows past a simple W-2, see our guide to TurboTax alternatives for gig workers, since FreeTaxUSA handles that case too.
- Best for: filers who want free federal now and room to grow, with a small state fee.
- Pros: free federal for every situation, including itemizing and investments; low state fee; prior-year returns available; its software page lists what is covered.
- Cons: state filing costs extra; the design feels dated; live phone support sits behind a paid add-on.
- Pricing: $0 federal, about $15.99 per state.
3. H&R Block Free Online: Free Filing With Offices for Backup
H&R Block Free Online covers a simple W-2 return, both federal and state, at no cost. According to H&R Block, about 52 percent of filers qualify for the free edition, which includes W-2 income, unemployment, retirement income, the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the student loan interest deduction. The reassuring part is that if you get stuck, you can walk into a physical office, which the fully-online tools cannot offer.
- Best for: W-2 filers who want free filing and the option of a human nearby.
- Pros: $0 federal and state for simple returns; W-2 import; covers the credits most households claim; thousands of offices for in-person help.
- Cons: the free edition is for simple returns only, so itemizing or extra schedules push you to a paid tier; expect upgrade prompts.
- Pricing: $0 federal plus $0 state for simple returns; paid tiers for anything more.
4. IRS Free File: The Government-Backed Free Route
IRS Free File is a partnership between the IRS and private software companies. If your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less, you can use guided software from an IRS partner for free, per the IRS Free File page. Above that income, Free File Fillable Forms are available to everyone at no cost, though they offer no hand-holding. One note for 2026: the IRS ended its own Direct File pilot for this season, so Free File is the remaining IRS-backed way to file for free.
- Best for: filers with AGI of $89,000 or less who want a free, IRS-partnered product.
- Pros: free guided software through vetted partners; Free File Fillable Forms free at any income; no marketing funnel.
- Cons: the guided option has an income cap; the partner list changes each year; state coverage depends on the partner you pick.
- Pricing: $0 for guided software if you qualify; fillable forms free at any income.
5. TaxSlayer Simply Free: A Fast, No-Frills Basic Return
TaxSlayer Simply Free covers a basic federal return and one state return at no cost, with a clean, quick flow. The catch is in the eligibility: Simply Free is for filers with taxable income under $100,000 who take the standard deduction and have a simple situation. If you fit that box, it is one of the faster ways to file. If you do not, TaxSlayer’s paid Classic tier still undercuts TurboTax.
- Best for: single or basic filers under the income cap who want speed.
- Pros: free federal and one free state; simple, quick interface; cheaper paid tiers if you need to upgrade.
- Cons: Simply Free is restrictive on income, deductions, and forms; more involved returns move you to a paid plan.
- Pricing: $0 federal plus one free state on Simply Free; Classic tier for more.
6. TaxAct: Guided Filing at a Lower Price
TaxAct offers the step-by-step, guided experience that makes TurboTax comfortable, at a lower price. Federal filing is free for eligible standard returns, so a simple W-2 can file federal at $0. The trade-off is the state return, which costs extra even on the free tier, so factor that in before you commit. TaxAct suits filers who value the guided walkthrough and may add a form or two later.
- Best for: filers who want TurboTax-style guidance without the TurboTax price.
- Pros: free federal for eligible simple returns; clear step-by-step flow; accuracy guarantee.
- Cons: state filing costs extra even on the free tier; paid federal tiers add up for complex returns.
- Pricing: $0 federal for eligible returns; state extra, around $40 to $55.
The Bottom Line
For a simple W-2 return, the cheapest path is Cash App Taxes, which files federal and state for nothing. FreeTaxUSA is the value pick if you want free federal with room to grow and only a small state fee, and H&R Block Free Online adds the comfort of a nearby office. If your income is $89,000 or less, IRS Free File gives you a government-backed free option, while TaxSlayer Simply Free and TaxAct round out the list for speed and guided filing. Whichever you pick, confirm the current price and what the free tier actually covers before you start, since a return this basic should not cost $60. For more money guides, see our Finance & Money and General sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best TurboTax alternative for a simple W-2 return?
For most people with a W-2 and the standard deduction, Cash App Taxes is the best value because it files both federal and state for free with no paid tiers. If you want free federal with the option to handle a more involved return later, FreeTaxUSA is the strongest pick, with state filing at about $15.99. H&R Block Free Online is a good middle ground if you want free filing plus the option to visit an office.
Is it really free to file taxes without TurboTax?
Yes, for a simple return. Cash App Taxes is free for federal and state. H&R Block Free Online and TaxSlayer Simply Free are free for simple returns, and IRS Free File offers free guided software if your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less. FreeTaxUSA keeps federal free and charges a small fee for state. The main catch is that free tiers apply to basic returns, so itemizing or extra forms can move you to a paid plan.
Why is TurboTax charging me when my return is simple?
TurboTax has trimmed its free edition and routes many filers into a paid version once they add a state return or a form the free tier does not include. It also left the IRS Free File program in 2021, so it is not part of that free option. If your return is a W-2 with the standard deduction and common credits, one of the tools above can usually do the same work for free or for a few dollars.
Does the free version cover the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit?
Often, yes. H&R Block Free Online specifically covers the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the student loan interest deduction. Cash App Taxes and IRS Free File partners also handle these common credits. Always confirm on the provider’s page that your specific credits and forms are included in the free tier before you file, since coverage differs by tool and can change each season.
Is it safe to file taxes with a smaller company than TurboTax?
The options here are established providers. IRS Free File partners are vetted by the IRS, and H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and FreeTaxUSA have filed millions of returns. As with any tax tool, use a strong password, enable two-factor login, and download a copy of your finished return for your records. If your situation is complex or you are unsure, the IRS website and a tax professional are the right places to confirm.