You can file your federal taxes for free with IRS Free File

Not filing your tax return can leave money on the table — and there’s a free option that simplifies the process.

Generally, you are not required to file a federal tax return if your gross income is less than the standard deduction, which is $12,950 for singles and $25,900 for married couples filing together for 2022.

But filing can have benefits even if you don’t have to. Most taxpayers, including this group, are eligible for Free IRS filewhich offers free guided online tax prep for federal returns and some state filings to claim potentially “overlooked tax credits or refunds,” it says the IRS.

You can use the free IRS file if your 2022 adjusted gross income was $73,000 or less, and taxpayers of all income levels can use it to apply for an extension. About 70% of taxpayers qualify for free filing, but only 2% used it during the 2022 filing season, the government said Advocate for national taxpayers.

“We often see that students, part-time workers and others on low incomes overlook filing a tax return and never realize they may be owed a refund,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel in an opinion this week.

Because there are no taxes, low-income earners may incorrectly assume they are not eligible for a refund, the IRS said. However, you may still be eligible for “refundable” tax credits that can be claimed without a balance, such as B. the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- to middle-income workers.

There are currently nearly $1.5 billion worth of unclaimed refunds from 2019, the agency reported.

To get started with Free File, you’ll need personal information like your social security number, family and spouse details, adjusted gross income for the last year for verification, etc necessary tax forms.

Before you begin the sign-up process, you can do this Compare providers or use the IRS Search Tool to find the best matching software based on your income, location and other factors.

“It’s a good option for those who have easy tax returns, don’t need ongoing tax planning advice, and could benefit financially from the free service,” said certified financial planner Judy Brown of SC&H Group in the Washington and Baltimore area. In addition, she is a certified public accountant.

However, due to several tax law changes in recent years, some applicants may prefer to work with a tax advisor.