Tax season is never fun – but did you know that doing your taxes may mean getting money back from the government? And did you know that the government provides several free ways to make filing your taxes easier? Read our guide below for several helpful tips on how to file your taxes so that you can get all of the credits you earned. Remember, taxes are due April 15, 2025!
WHY SHOULD YOU FILE? BECAUSE YOU MAY GET MONEY BACK
Everyone who works in the U.S. is required to file a tax return by law. But it’s not just our obligation – it can mean money for your family – even if you didn’t pay or don’t owe anything in income tax. Here’s a list of tax credits that could mean money in your pocket if you file a return:
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Available to low-income workers.
- Available to those making less than $18,591 if you’re single with no children or less than $66,819 if you’re married filing jointly with 3 or more children. Read more about it here.
- Click the button below to go to the government’s “EITC assistant” to see if you qualify:
Child Tax Credit – Available to parents and those caring for children.
- Worth up to $2,000 per child for parents earning less than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing jointly.)
- Read more about the Child Tax Credit here.
American Opportunity Tax Credit – For students and parents of students.
- If you paid qualified education expenses for yourself, your child, or another college student, you may be able to claim a credit of up to $2,500 per year.
- Available if earning $90,000 or less ($180,000 if married filing jointly).
- Read more about the AOTC here.
HOW TO GET FREE HELP FILLING OUT YOUR TAXES
Tax forms can be confusing, and it can be useful to get professional help in completing all of your forms. But working families don’t necessarily have to pay for that help–the government provides free help for working families.
This service, called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is legally required to be free and will never try to sell you extra services. Volunteers are certified by the IRS to provide tax counseling and preparation services.
VITA has no eligibility requirements, but its volunteers are best prepared to help workers making $67,000 or less, people with disabilities, or people with limited ability to speak English.
You can read more about the VITA program here.
Click the button below to find a VITA location near you. Different sites offer different services and languages, and some may require an advanced appointment:
HOW TO FILE YOUR TAXES ONLINE YOURSELF
The government offers three different ways you can fill out your taxes yourself online.
Direct File – File your taxes directly with the government online.
- A new, easy-to-use online government tool that helps you fill out and file your tax forms.
- Available to those making $200,000 or less ($250,000 if married and filing jointly) and meeting other eligibility requirements.
- This program is new and only available if you lived and worked for all of 2024 in one of the following states:
| Alaska Arizona California Connecticut Florida Idaho Illinois Kansas Maine | Maryland Massachusetts Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon | Pennsylvania South Dakota Tennessee Texas Washington state Wisconsin Wyoming |
- Read more about Direct File here.
- Click the button below to find out if you’re eligible for Direct File.
Free File: Guided Tax Software–Use professional tax preparation software for free.
- These are online programs you can use for free from tax preparation companies that have partnered with the federal government.
- Available for free to those with an Adjusted Gross Income of $84,000 or less (your Adjusted Gross Income is usually less than your total wages). Some companies may offer to file a state income tax return for an additional charge.
- Read more about Free File here.
- Click the button below to find a tax software company that works for you.
Free File: Fillable Forms – Free online versions of traditional tax forms.
- The same as the government’s printed forms, but you can fill them out online and file your taxes electronically.
- Not as easy to use as Direct File or the Guided Tax Software options above!
- Available to people at any income level.
- Read more about Free File here.
- Click the button below to start using Fillable Forms.
IF YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE
The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is the government agency in charge of taxes. Go to www.irs.gov if you need to know more. Here are links to the IRS’ “step by step” guide for filing your taxes:
How to file your taxes: step by step
Be ready to file taxes next year
THE FIGHT AHEAD
Many of the tax credits listed above that help working families, as well as the programs that offer free filing services, could face changes or even total shutdown for next year given the current debate in Washington. Working America will be joining our allies in advocating for a fair economy and a government that gives working families what they deserve. Our strength comes from you – our members. Only by acting together can we fight back against the greedy corporations and their friends.
We’re asking all Working Americans to pledge to stay informed about what policies our leaders are advancing that support a fair economy and protecting consumers. Sign up here if you pledge to be part of that mission and if you want Working America updates and opportunities about a fair economy.
We know that these are uncertain times, and many of us are concerned about the future. Go to workingamerica.org/gethelp for more guides and tips on navigating the economy and preparing for the unknown.
The information above was sourced from irs.gov and is current for the 2024 tax year (for taxes filed in 2025). It was updated on February 13, 2025.