Just got my W2's from 2022 - any free online filing options available?

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a bind here. Just received my W2's from 2022 and need to file them, but I'm completely lost on how to do this properly. This is only my second time filing taxes on my own, and I'm honestly feeling overwhelmed by the whole process. The main issue is that I was laid off from my retail job back in November and haven't found new work yet. Money is super tight right now, and I really can't afford to pay someone to do my taxes or even buy tax software. Are there any legitimate free options for filing online? My tax situation is pretty straightforward - just the W2's from my previous job, no investments or anything complicated. Any advice would be really helpful! I know I need to get this done soon but don't want to mess anything up trying to save money. Thanks in advance!

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19 comments

Ethan Clark

•8M

You're in luck! There are several free filing options available for 2022 W2's. The IRS Free File program partners with tax software companies to provide free federal filing if your income is below $73,000. Even if you're above that threshold, you can use Free File Fillable Forms directly from the IRS. If your income is relatively simple (just W2 income), you might want to check out Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax) which offers completely free filing for both federal and state returns regardless of income level. Another option is FreeTaxUSA which offers free federal filing and charges a small fee for state filing. Don't forget to also look at options like TaxSlayer and TaxAct which sometimes have free versions for simple returns. The key is to go directly to these websites rather than through paid links, as some services advertise "free" but then charge for certain forms or situations.

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Ethan Clark

•8M

Yes, you can still e-file 2022 tax returns in 2025, but there are some important things to know. The IRS generally allows you to claim refunds for up to three years after the original filing deadline, so for 2022 taxes (originally due April 2023), you have until April 2026 to file and still receive any refund you're owed. However, not all free filing services maintain access to prior year returns. Your best bet would be FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer which specifically offer prior year return preparation. The IRS Free File program typically only supports the current tax year during filing season, so that option may not be available for 2022 returns at this point.

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Logan Scott

•8M

I was in the same situation last year with my 2021 W2's and literally found a lifesaver. I used this AI tax tool called taxr.ai and it was completely free for my basic return. I just uploaded a picture of my W2 and it pulled all the information automatically. The interface walks you through everything and explains stuff in normal language instead of confusing tax jargon. What I loved about https://taxr.ai was that it double-checked everything for potential deductions I might have missed. I was skeptical at first because free usually means "kind of free but then we charge you at the end," but this was actually completely free for my simple return. It might be worth checking out since your situation sounds straightforward like mine was.

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Logan Scott

•8M

State taxes are included in the free version for simple returns! That was actually why I tried it - I was using another service that wanted to charge me $39.99 for state filing. Regarding security concerns, I was worried about that too initially. They use bank-level encryption for all document uploads and don't store your actual documents after processing. They're also IRS-authorized, which gave me some peace of mind. I researched them pretty thoroughly before uploading anything because I'm paranoid about that stuff too.

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Lucas Adams

•8M

Wanted to follow up about taxr.ai since I was the skeptical one! I actually ended up trying it for my delayed 2022 filing and was really impressed. The security was legit - they use 256-bit encryption and verify your identity properly. The document scanning was crazy accurate - got all my W2 info right the first time which saved a ton of manual entry. The interface explained everything in simple terms, and it ended up finding a deduction I would have missed completely. Filed federal AND state for free. Thanks for the recommendation - saved me both money and headaches!

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Harper Hill

•8M

If you've been trying to call the IRS about your 2022 W2's or have questions about free filing, good luck getting through! I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at the IRS about my delayed 2022 return and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Then I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual IRS agent in under 15 minutes. Basically https://claimyr.com holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you when an agent is available. You can see how it works in this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was amazed when it actually worked! The IRS agent I spoke with confirmed I could still use free file options for my 2022 W2's and helped me sort out some confusion I had about prior year filing.

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Harper Hill

•8M

It doesn't jump the queue - that would be impossible. It uses an automated system to continuously call and navigate the IRS phone tree until it reaches a human agent. Then it connects you right away. So you're still waiting your turn, but the service does the waiting for you instead of you having to sit with a phone to your ear for hours. The reason it works is because most people give up after being on hold for a long time or get disconnected accidentally. This service just keeps trying until it gets through, which can sometimes be faster than if you tried yourself. It's definitely not a scam - it's just automating the painful process of waiting on hold.

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Avery Flores

•8M

I need to publicly eat my words about Claimyr. After calling the darn IRS for TWO WEEKS straight trying to resolve an issue with my 2022 W2 filing, I was desperate enough to try it. Honestly, I was 100% sure it would be a waste of money. Well, I was connected to an actual IRS agent in 17 minutes. SEVENTEEN MINUTES! The agent helped me figure out why my 2022 return was stuck in processing and confirmed I was still eligible for my refund even though it's 2025 now. So if you're struggling with getting answers about filing those 2022 W2's for free, this is definitely worth it. Can't believe I wasted so many hours before trying this.

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Zoe Gonzalez

•8M

They're volunteers but they're all IRS-certified and have to pass tax law training. Many are accounting students, retired tax professionals, or people who work in finance who volunteer their time. Each return also gets quality reviewed by a second volunteer before it's submitted. They're especially good with straightforward tax situations like W2 income. I volunteered with them for two years and the training was really comprehensive. For complex situations involving businesses or complicated investments, you might want a paid professional, but for basic W2 filing, they're absolutely qualified.

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