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Free tax filing options for low income and students
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I'm a college student working part-time and my income is pretty low. I've heard about the IRS free file program but I'm not sure if I qualify or how it works exactly.
My tax situation should be simple - I make less than $15,000 a year from my campus job, and I have some scholarship money. I don't own property or have investments. I just need basic free tax software for simple returns.
What are the best free tax filing software options for someone in my situation? I really can't afford to pay for tax preparation, and I want to make sure I'm getting any refund I'm entitled to.
For your situation, you have several good options for free tax filing for low income:
1. IRS Free File Program - if your income is below $79,000, you qualify for free filing through one of their partners
2. Cash App Taxes - no income limits, completely free federal and state
3. VITA program - free in-person tax preparation if your income is below $64,000
Since you're a student making less than $15,000, you definitely qualify for the IRS free file program. I'd recommend starting at the IRS Free File website and seeing which partners are available.
Be careful with scholarship money - some tax software handles it better than others. Make sure whatever you choose can properly handle scholarship income that might be taxable.
As a fellow budget-conscious person, I feel your pain. The good news is that with your simple tax situation, you have lots of truly free options.
Cash App Taxes would be perfect for you. It's completely free, handles simple returns well, and has a clean interface. I used it last year for my side business and personal taxes.
Also check if your college offers free tax preparation through accounting students or a VITA site. Many universities have programs where accounting students prepare taxes for free as part of their training.
Don't let anyone convince you to pay for tax software with your income level. There are plenty of legitimate free options that will get you your refund without charging fees.
I was in your exact situation a few years ago. Here's what worked for me:
Use the IRS Free File Lookup Tool on their website. It will ask you some questions about your income and situation, then show you which free filing options you qualify for.
Since you're a student with low income, you'll probably qualify for multiple options. I'd recommend trying a couple different ones to see which interface you like best.
One thing to watch for - some free software still charges for state returns. Make sure you choose one that offers free state filing too, or use your state's own free filing program if available.
Also, don't forget about the American Opportunity Tax Credit if you're paying for college. Good free tax software should help you claim that if you're eligible.
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