Free tax filing for first-time filers and students
Updated for the 2026 filing season
First-time filers, students especially, usually have some of the simplest returns possible: W-2 income, maybe an education credit. Most major free tiers were built with exactly this return in mind.
- W-2-only income fits every provider's free tier reviewed on this site
- Education credits (American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit) are generally included free, though confirm with each provider
- Being claimed as a dependent on a parent's return doesn't affect your eligibility for free filing itself, it affects your standard deduction amount