Free tax filing with the student loan interest deduction
Updated for the 2026 filing season
Student loan interest, reported on Form 1098-E, is common enough that most free tiers include it without pushing you into a paid upgrade on its own. The deduction itself usually isn't the problem, what else is on the return is.
- On its own, the student loan interest deduction is included on most major free tiers
- It becomes a problem only when combined with something else that already triggers an upgrade, like 1099 income or itemizing
- Confirm inclusion directly with a provider's current eligibility list before starting, since terms shift year to year
If your return is otherwise simple
W-2 income plus a student loan interest deduction fits comfortably on FreeTaxUSA, TurboTax Free Edition, or H&R Block Free Online.