3 Free Ways to Do Your Taxes

Updated on April 17, 2017 at 5:45 PM

Tax season is already anxiety-inducing enough — having to pay for online services or a tax prep professional only adds to the stress. Check out some options for preparing your taxes for free, which could make this year's tax season just a little less angsty.

If your household income is less than $54,000 . . . find an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in your area and work with a volunteer to prep your taxes. Seeing "IRS" might give you reflexive heebie-jeebies, but fear not: the people involved in VITA, while trained and certified by the IRS to prepare tax returns, are not government cronies out to get you. They're simply volunteers who can help you maximize your return and file accurately, as they are up-to-date with the latest tax laws (such as this year's Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act).
If your household income is less than $64,000 . . . use My Free Taxes to do your federal and state tax returns online. It's straightforward, user-friendly, and — oh, yeah — totally free.
Regardless of your income . . . check out Credit Karma Tax, an online self-directed tax preparation service that is completely free — for everyone.

Celebrity

Fashion

Fitness

Beauty

Love

Family

Shop

3 Free Ways to Do Your Taxes

Related

For South Asians, Money Talk With Family Can Be Difficult — but It's Crucial

The rules of the game for smart saving have changed.

The 5 Best Financial Literacy Apps for Kids

I can unfortunately relate to an infinite number of memes that joke about how unhelpful math class was for real-life money management.

When Latines Can't Trust Banks, They Form Lending Circles Called "Susus"

Tanda. Pawdna. Quiniela. Rotativo.

A Latina Money Expert's Tips For Slaying the Stock Market

A lack of financial literacy poses a significant barrier for Latines in the United States, often hindering their ability to build equitable wealth.

A Latina Money Expert's Tips For How to Successfully Prepare for Retirement

A lack of financial literacy poses a significant barrier for Latines in the United States, often hindering their ability to build equitable wealth.

A Latina Money Expert's Tips For Building Your Savings Up

A lack of financial literacy poses a significant barrier for many Latines in the United States, often hindering their ability to build equitable wealth.

A Latina Money Expert's Tips For Paying Off All Your Debt

A lack of financial literacy poses a significant barrier for Latines in the United States, often hindering their ability to build equitable wealth.

Combining Bank Accounts With Your Spouse? What Financial Experts Want You to Consider

The biggest business decision you'll ever make is picking your romantic partner.

Getting Fired Cured My Autistic Burnout

On a random Friday in October of last year, I got fired from my first corporate job.

12 Investing Apps to Help You Start Making Major Money Moves

Downloading any of the best investing apps as a young adult can help you prepare for a more financially sound future.

The 24 Best Gifts For the Ambitious, Successful Women in Your Life

Whether she's that coworker who goes home after everyone else, that old classmate with an impressive new job, or your best friend, we all know a career-driven woman who could be showered with a little extra love and appreciation these days.

The Glass Cliff Effect and Why Black Women Leaders Are Often "Last In, First Out"

Earlier this month, Claudine Gay's resignation as the first Black woman to serve as president of Harvard sent shockwaves throughout the country, igniting conversations about the role that Black women play as both shield and target for elite institutions.