Where to File Your State & Federal Taxes Completely Free in 2023

The IRS Free File program is your best bet for truly free filing of both federal and state taxes. It's available to anyone with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $73,000 or less, so you'd definitely qualify as a teacher making $42k. Here's what you need to know: Go directly to the IRS website (irs.gov/freefile) instead of using Google or going straight to tax preparation websites. The tax preparation companies often advertise "free" versions on their own sites that end up charging for state filing or certain forms, but the versions through the official IRS Free File portal are truly free for both federal AND state for qualifying taxpayers. Some of the participating providers this year include TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and others. Each has slightly different eligibility requirements within that $73,000 threshold, so you might need to check a couple to find one that works for your situation.

I struggled with finding truly free tax filing options last year until I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai). It's been a lifesaver for navigating all the free filing options without getting tricked into paying. The site basically analyzes your specific tax situation and points you to the legitimately free options you qualify for rather than the "free-to-start-but-pay-later" trap that most tax sites set. I was especially impressed by how it flagged the exact forms I would need for my situation (I'm also a teacher with some side income) and told me which free filing service would actually remain free ALL the way through, including state taxes. It saved me from the frustration of getting halfway through a "free" service only to find out I'd have to pay $40 for state filing.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here! It actually worked really well - pointed me to a free filing option through the IRS Free File that I qualified for (TaxSlayer in my case), and I was able to file both federal AND state completely free. The tool asked me questions about my income sources and which state I live in, then showed me exactly which free filing options would remain free for my entire filing process. Definitely saved me from the frustration of getting halfway through only to hit a paywall like in previous years!

If you're having trouble with the Free File options or getting stuck on complex tax questions, Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) helped me actually get through to an IRS agent when I was completely stuck last year. I tried calling the IRS directly for weeks about a free filing issue and kept getting the "call volumes too high" message. Claimyr got me connected to a real IRS person in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for days. They have a video demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The agent walked me through exactly how to access the free filing options I qualified for and helped resolve an issue I had with my previous year's return that was preventing me from filing electronically for free.

I'm eating crow here... I tried Claimyr after being super skeptical. After 3 days of trying to get through to the IRS myself with no luck (kept getting disconnected after 60+ minutes on hold), I gave in. Got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who answered my questions about free filing eligibility since my situation is a bit complicated (teacher with some 1099 income from tutoring). The agent walked me through exactly which forms I needed and confirmed I could still use Free File. Honestly worth it just for the time saved from being on hold.

Don't forget about Credit Karma Tax (now called Cash App Taxes). It's completely free for federal AND state filing with no income limitations! I've used it for the past 2 years and it worked great for my somewhat complicated return (W-2 plus some investment income and a small business). The only people who can't use it are those with really complex situations like foreign income, multiple state filings, or certain less common tax forms. But for most people, it's completely free regardless of income level, unlike the IRS Free File program that has income limits.

Has anyone tried FreeTaxUSA? Federal is always free and state is only $15. It's way cheaper than TurboTax and H&R Block even if you have to pay for state.

As someone who's been through the free filing maze multiple times, I'd definitely recommend starting with the official IRS Free File portal at irs.gov/freefile since you qualify with your $42k income. But here's a pro tip that saved me last year: before you commit to any service, take a screenshot of the "free" promise on the first page. I got burned by TaxAct in 2022 when they tried to charge me $39 for state filing after I'd already entered all my info, even though I accessed it through the IRS portal. Also, if you're in a state that doesn't participate fully in Free File (like I am), check if your state has its own free e-filing system. My state offers completely free e-filing directly through their revenue department website for anyone making under $60k. It's a separate system from the federal filing but totally worth the extra 20 minutes to save $30-50. One last thing - if you do hit any snags with the free systems, don't give up and pay for a premium service right away. The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service has a hotline that's helped me troubleshoot free filing issues before, and they're actually pretty responsive during tax season.