IRS Free File, which offers free guided tax preparation for lower-income taxpayers and free electronic fillable forms for all taxpayers, is just one way to file without paying.

In some cases, Direct File may be able to transfer already-entered data to the state’s tax filing tool. According to the IRS, most tax refunds are issued in less than 21 days.

The free forms became available for completing 2024 tax returns on Jan. 27, the first day of the 2025 tax season and the date the IRS began accepting tax returns for 2024.

The vast majority of individual returns are filed online — even if you walk into a tax preparation service and watch them fill out your forms on paper. Your actual return — and your refund ...