Free File Fillable Forms
FAQs

General Overview

  • Free File Fillable Forms is a FREE forms-based tool enabling you to:

    • Self-select your federal income tax forms and schedules
    • Fill in your tax information online
    • Perform basic mathematical calculations
    • Print your tax return for record keeping and filing
    • E-file your federal income tax return

    Free File Fillable Forms is the tool for you if you're comfortable filling out the forms and schedules without software help or assistance. If you're not comfortable with this method, you may want to consider choosing the traditional free file program.

    This FREE, forms-based program allows taxpayers to choose the federal income tax forms and schedules they need, fill in information, e-file and sign the return electronically and print a copy for record keeping. It is designed to be the simple electronic equivalent of paper forms. Unlike most tax software, it doesn't ask about or explain tax situations. It performs only basic calculations and doesn't have extensive error checking. Just like completing a paper return, you'll be responsible for the input of most of the information on the return.

  • Unlike most tax software, Free File Fillable Forms is a simple electronic equivalent of paper forms. It provides basic mathematical calculations and basic field error checking. It doesn't ask about or explain tax situations, automatic calculations, or extensive error checking. The program provides forms for federal taxes only, while most tax software provides federal and state.

  • No. If you want to prepare and file your state income tax return, you may want to choose a Free File tax software program or look for other federal and state tax preparation and e-filing options.

  • With Free File Fillable Forms, there are no limitations for income, age, location or any other criteria. Free File Fillable Forms provides forms that most individual taxpayers require to file their taxes.

    Note: Free File Fillable Forms is not intended to be used by paid preparers.

  • Yes, your internet session and transmission of your federal return will be encrypted in a secure environment.

  • Free File Fillable Forms will be available from late January through the due date for extended returns each year, October 15 (if this day falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be the next business day).

  • Free File Fillable Forms allows taxpayers to complete their tax forms online, using the computer, and e-file over the internet. Unlike paper returns, Free File Fillable Forms provides basic math calculations and basic field validation checking. E-filed returns are typically processed by the IRS within 24-48 hours. Taxpayers receive their refunds in less time compared to pencil and paper returns.

  • No! Only the current tax year forms are available in Free File Fillable Forms.

  • Yes. The due date to file an extension, Form 4868, varies each year but is usually April 15. Refer to the form instructions for this year's date.

  • You can check the list of supported forms at "Available Forms".

  • Yes. If you are using a public computer, such as a public library computer or other shared computer, be sure to sign out and completely close the Free File Fillable Forms browser before leaving the computer.

System Requirements

  • File Fillable Forms will work best when using the latest version of these browsers:

  • We recommend when using Free File Fillable Forms that you review the minimum computer requirements.

    CAUTION:
    • This program does not support mobile devices
    • Use a Recommended Browser and Operating System

    When the minimum computer requirements are not met, issues with your browser, operating system or device will occur and you may not be able to recover account or tax return information.

    Recommended Operating Systems and Browsers

    Operating Systems: Windows and Mac only
    Browsers: Free File Fillable Forms will work best when using the latest version of these browsers:

    Browser settings
    • Set the language to default
    • Set the font size to Medium (Recommended)
    • Enable JavaScript and cookies
    • Turn off:
      • Pop-up blockers
      • Tracking blockers
      • Auto-fill features

    Optimize Your Experience

    You can optimize your Free File Fillable Forms experience by meeting these minimum requirements:

    • Processor: Intel Core i3
    • RAM: 4 GB
    • Scale and layout: Set at 125% (Recommended)
    • Monitor: 1920 x 1080 (Recommended) Display resolution
    • Internet Connection: High-speed connection
    • Other Software: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or above (for printing)

    Oldest Supported Operating Systems:
    • Windows 7
    • Windows 8
    • Windows 10
    • Mac OS X 10.14 (Mojave)

  • See your browser's Help for instructions on how to enable pop-ups.

Your Fillable Forms Account

  • You will create an account by providing your own user ID, password, and mobile phone number. You will use this information each time you sign in to your return. You will also enter your email address so that the IRS can notify you of errors and acknowledge receipt of the return. Once you establish an account, you will be sent a confirmation email.

  • The software providers do not retain your account information for subsequent years when using this product; therefore, if you used Free File Fillable Forms last year, you must create a new account this year.

  • If you didn't receive a confirmation email when you created an account, it is possible that your spam filter is blocking the email. Check your email account for a spam folder, open it and look for an email from customer_service@freefilefillableforms.com. Each email program and spam filter differs; check with your email service provider for additional help. If you still haven't received the email after this step, email the IRS. In your email, provide your username and the email address you used to create the account.

  • Within 48 hours after you file your return using Free File Fillable Forms, you will receive an email letting you know your return has been accepted or rejected. If not, review the following:

    • Are you checking the right email account? Make sure you are checking the same email account you entered in the 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms' tab when you submitted your tax return.
    • Check your spam filter. If the email is in your spam filter, add customer_service@freefilefillableforms.com to your safe senders list to ensure that you receive future emails. Each email program and spam filter differs; check your email service provider for additional help.
    • If you still haven't received an email, you can check your status by clicking the 'STEP 3. E-File Status' tab. If the status shows no tax return transmitted, then this means you have not e-filed your return from this account.

  • To change your account information, click the 'Update Your Account' link on the upper right navigation bar. At this screen, you can update your account information, including password, phone number, and email address.

  • A Free File Fillable Forms account is active through the extended filing due date, which varies each year but usually ends on October 15. Refer to the form instructions for this year's date. We encourage you to print a copy of your return after you have an accepted e-filed return.

  • If you forget your password or user ID, select the 'Sign In' or 'Create An Account' link on the upper right navigation bar. Select the 'I forgot my user ID or password' link at the bottom of the 'Sign In' screen and follow the instructions. If you are unable to recover your password or user ID because you no longer have access to your email or your mobile phone number, you will need to create a new account and start your return again from the beginning.

  • Access your account by using the URL shown in the email that was sent when you created your account. Once you are on the provider's page, select 'Start Free File Fillable Forms', select 'Sign In', and then enter your username and password on the next screen.

  • No. In order to establish an account and to e-file a return, an email address is required. After e-filing, you will receive two emails. The first will acknowledge receipt of filing. The second email will have the return status from the IRS. Returns are either accepted or rejected. If the return is rejected, you will need to fix the issue that caused your return to reject. Either e-file again or print and file by mail.

  • We encourage you to print a copy of your return after you have an accepted e-filed return. You can print and view your return through the due date for extended returns each year, October 15 (if this day falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be the next business day).

  • All your tax information entered in Free File Fillable Forms is protected with industry-standard security or greater. When you e-file, the transaction is encrypted with the same technology used by banks to protect online transactions. This means that your information is protected from any unauthorized access while it is sent to the IRS.

  • No. For more information, you may read the Free File Fillable Forms privacy policy by clicking the 'Privacy Statement' link at the bottom of the page.

  • All tax data is stored in the secure Free File Fillable Forms database.

  • No matter when you start your tax return, it will be accessible in the Free File Fillable Forms system through the due date for extended returns each year, October 15 (if this day falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be the next business day); refer to the IRS Form 4868 instructions for this year's date. Afterward, it will be removed from the database, and your return will not be filed or e-filed.

  • We do not offer a clear entries option. The individual forms can be deleted and re-started if desired. There is a delete option under the Update Your Account section if you wish to fully delete.

  • Yes, email address and mobile phone verification are required to e-file. To verify or change your email address or mobile phone number, click the 'Update Your Account' link on the upper right navigation bar.

Preparing and E-filing Your Return

    • A copy of your prior year Federal tax return.
    • All income and tax statements you received for the current year tax return (the return you are working on now), such as Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-G, 1099-INT, 1099-MISC, 1099-R, and any other income statements.
    • Your current year estimated tax payment amounts, if any.
    • Your bank account information to get your refund by direct deposit or to electronically pay any taxes owed.

  • Once you are in the Free File Fillable Forms product:

    • You will use two basic elements: buttons and tabs. You will see an 'Add' button next to any line that has a form associated with it. Click the 'Add' button to add that form into your return. You can click on the tabs to fill out the forms or to e-file.
    • To view the list of forms you want to add, click the 'Add/View Forms' button at the top of the screen. This will open a window on the left side of your screen. Next click on the 'Add a Form' button. You will be able to see all of the available forms in the pop-up window. Click on the form you want to add. You will see the list of forms that you have added in the 'My Tax Forms' window.

  • The 'Do the math' button runs minimal calculations for you. Make sure to click 'Do the math' after you complete each section of a form. If you're unable to enter information into a certain field, the field is calculated for you.

  • No. The Free File Fillable Forms program does the rounding for you.

  • No. Exclude all dashes, dollar signs, commas and text.

  • Fields that can be calculated with simple math are calculated. If the calculation is conditional on other information you have entered, like filing status, the field is not calculated and must be entered manually.

  • Automatically calculated fields will not allow data entry. When you click in the field, a round circle with a line through it will indicate that the field is automatically calculated.

  • Yes. After you have entered all the information, you can still go back and make corrections, as long as your return hasn't been e-filed and accepted.

  • To attach a form or schedule to your return:

    • Click the 'Add' button located at the line where the information from that form will go.
    • Input the information into the form or schedule, and use the 'Do the Math' button when necessary.
    • Click 'Done with this Form' when finished.

    The form will now be attached to your tax return. To check which forms you currently have attached, click the 'Add/View Forms' button in the upper right corner, and a list of all of the forms that you currently have attached will display.

  • If you have more than one W-2, W-2G or 1099-R reporting income, you can add multiple W-2, W-2G or 1099-R forms while working on your return in the 'STEP 1. Fill Out Your Tax Forms' tab by clicking the 'Add/View Forms' button

    or

    when you prepare your return for e-filing in the 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms' tab by clicking the 'Add' button next to the information about entering W-2s, W-2Gs and 1099-Rs. If you already have the same type of reporting income form in your return, a 'Add Another Form/Schedule Confirmation' window will appear. Click the 'Yes, Add Another' button to add another form.

  • W-2s, 1099-Rs and W-2Gs are the only tax forms you need to add to your return. If you have any other tax forms (e.g.: SSA-1099, 1099-G, 1099-MISC, etc.), don't add it. Instead of adding these forms, you'll need to add the amounts from them to the corresponding lines on Form 1040.

  • The program is designed so that you can enter a piece of information in the shaded area to the left of the numbers column. Some lines have one shaded box, and only a text value can be entered in this field. Some lines have two shaded boxes, the first for the text value and the second for the amount related to the text value.

    The program is enabled for e-filing for users who have one literal on a line (whether it only has text or has text and related amounts). If your return requires you to have multiple literals on a single line (either multiple text-only fields or multiple text and amount fields) or if you have a literal that is required on a form other than form 1040 and Schedules 1 - 3, then you will not be able to e-file using this program.

    Here's the User's Guide URL (PDF): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5274.pdf.

  • Click the 'Add/View Forms' button at the top of your screen.

  • Green text indicates information you have input, and blue text indicates input that is calculated based on information you previously entered.

  • If you are unable to enter information in a certain field, it means that the field is calculated for you. Select the 'Do the Math' button to run the calculations. Another possibility is that the form related to that field is not supported in Free File Fillable Forms. If a field you need is not supported, then you will not be able to use this product to prepare and file your return.

  • If you make an error such as entering the wrong data from a statement, simply go back, delete the wrong information and enter the correct information. If the form is no longer needed, you can select the 'Delete this Form' button at the bottom of the screen to delete the form and the related information.

  • If you select a radio button on one of the forms and find you cannot 'uncheck' it, just click the selected radio button again to uncheck it.

  • Yes, but at the screen that reads, 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms,' you may skip the requirement to add a Form W-2.

  • Yes. Your data is automatically saved as you work through your return in Free File Fillable Forms. If you take a break, be sure to click the 'Save' button to save your current progress and then sign out of your return. When you sign back in, your data will be how you left it.

  • Yes. Before e-filing your return, we encourage you to print it out and review your data to make certain all information is complete and accurate. This simple precaution will help you avoid mistakes that may delay your refund or result in correspondence.

  • You will receive an email within 48 hours, confirming that the taxing authority received your return.

  • Yes, you should track your return to make sure the IRS accepts it. If you entered a valid email address when you created your account in Free File Fillable Forms, you will receive acknowledgement of successful transmission and then acknowledgment that the IRS accepted or rejected your return. You can also view the status of your return by returning to the Free File Fillable Forms program, signing back in and clicking the 'STEP 3. E-File Status' tab.

Printing Your Fillable Forms Return

  • Yes, you can return to your account and print your return any time before the last day the program is available. The program will be available through the due date for extended returns each year, October 15 (if this day falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be the next business day). Print buttons are on the top and bottom of the page.

  • Ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements listed in the System Requirements FAQs above.

    Make sure your browser's pop-up blocker is disabled.

    You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 version or higher installed to view the instructions and print your return.

    You can also save a copy of the return to your computer and then print the saved copy.

    If you are getting logged out when trying to print, and you are using Google Chrome, there is an adjustment you can make to correct this by turning off your Adobe Acrobat Extension. To do this, click on the top right- hand side of your screen on the three dots. Go to More tools, then extensions. Click on the toggle to turn off the Adobe Acrobat extension.

  • No, e-filing and printing your Free File Fillable Form is free.

  • Yes, Free File Fillable Forms supports both e-filing and printing your return to mail.

  • Yes. To save a copy of your return onto your computer, click the 'Print Return' button to open a PDF file of your return in a new tab. Using your browser controls to save the opened file, you can can save the PDF file to your computer. Alternatively to save, you can use your browser controls to print the opened file by changing your default printer to Adobe PDF, Microsoft Image Writer or another program that will allow you to save the file to your computer. We always recommend you have a printed copy in case you have computer problems later.

  • Computer-generated forms frequently differ from what you see on the screen and from what you may be used to seeing. What prints out is accurate even though it does not look like what you are used to. This is because of requirements that are needed for tax forms that are created using software.

Additional Help

  • You can refer to specific instructions for the relevant form, schedule or publication. Click on the 'Instructions For This Form' button at the bottom of the page.

  • Taxpayers who need help signing in, accessing tax returns or who experience technical difficulties with Free File Fillable Forms can access the IRS.gov at https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/common-input-issues-for-free-file-fillable-forms

Return Corrections, Rejections and Errors

  • Once your return is accepted, you will not be able to make changes to it. If you need to make a change, you will need to file an amended return. If your return is rejected, you can come back to the program to fix any errors and resubmit your return.

  • It is your responsibility to enter all information completely and accurately. Before you begin, be sure you have all of the information you will need to complete your return. Verify all information on your return before submitting it.

  • Make sure:

    • Your Social Security Number or Employee Identification Number contains the proper number of digits.
    • You do not enter invalid characters.
    • The date and telephone number fields are formatted correctly and do not contain invalid characters.
    • Your email address is correct.
    • Your deduction and exemption amounts have been calculated.
    • All of your tax information has been entered before going to the 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms' tab to e-file your tax forms.
    • Your address on the return is a valid mailing address according to the US Postal Service. If your post office does not deliver mail to your street address and you have a P.O. Box, your P.O. Box is your mailing address.
    • You have reconciled the federal withholding reported on your return to the amounts entered in the 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms' tab (see section 2 of the 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms' tab).
    • You have properly entered any current year (the return you are working on now) estimated payments, current year extension payments, or a carryover of an overpayment from the previous year that you applied to the current year.

    Check your return before you e-file to make sure all information you entered is complete and accurate. This simple precaution will help you avoid mistakes that can delay your refund or result in correspondence from the taxing authority.

  • This type of error means that the return was not transmitted to the IRS because of certain problems such as missing or incorrect information. The most common reasons for this type of transmission failure are:

    • Missing address (including street, city, state and ZIP code)
    • Missing name
    • Missing Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Missing bank information for direct debit or direct deposit (routing number, account number)

    Go back to your tax return and make sure that all of this information is complete and accurate, and then transmit the return again. If you are unable to resolve this error, print the return and file by mail. For more information about where you should mail your return, see the 'Instructions For This Form' button.

  • For help with rejected returns, go to https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/free-file-fillable-forms/search-tip to find a solution.

    Sign into your return to fix this problem and e-file again, or print the return to file by mail. If you e-file again, be sure to re-enter the direct debit date (if used) and the e-file date in the 'STEP 2. E-File Your Tax Forms' tab of Free File Fillable Forms.

Didn't find what you were looking for here?

Find additional help in the User's Guide (PDF)