Every tax season, the same myth pops up: filing your taxes has to be expensive, confusing or both.
So when people hear the word “free,” they naturally lean in. The problem is that not all “free” tax filing options are actually free — especially once state returns enter the picture.
This is where TurboTax flips the script. While some competitors create the perception of free filing and then charge for state returns, TurboTax offers something more straightforward and transparent — guaranteed free federal and state DIY tax filing for eligible filers, through its mobile app.
That clarity matters. Taxes are already stressful enough without hidden fees lurking at the final click. TurboTax has made it a point to remove the guesswork, giving people confidence that $0 really means $0.
Why TurboTax is the best free filing solution
Many people are actively searching for the best free way to file their taxes, and for good reason. With TurboTax, more than 100 million people — regardless of tax complexity — are eligible to file both their federal and state returns completely free of charge using the TurboTax mobile app. Yes, even if you’re a homeowner or an investor, you can still qualify. This kind of accessibility sets TurboTax apart in a crowded field of so-called free options that come with fine print.
The numbers back this up, too. Despite ongoing misconceptions that other services offer the same level of free filing, TurboTax filed more than twice the number of totally free returns as FreeTaxUSA last year, based on the total number of federal and state returns filed in Tax Year 2024. When taxpayers discover that some competitors charge for state returns, the difference becomes crystal clear.
The mobile app that makes free filing *actually* simple
The TurboTax mobile app is what’s special. It’s designed for real life, not just tax pros, making it easy to file on your own schedule with guidance that feels human.
To qualify for the free offer, you need to have switched to TurboTax (or have not filed with TurboTax last year). Start and file your return in the mobile app, submit by Feb. 28 and use the DIY product (expert products are excluded). Meet the criteria, and you’re looking at $0 federal and $0 state filing —guaranteed.
And there’s a bonus. When you file for free with TurboTax and choose to have your refund deposited into a Credit Karma Money Account, you could get your refund up to five days early. That’s money in your pocket sooner, without paying extra for the privilege.
TurboTax clears up the confusion — once and for all
The biggest hurdle for many taxpayers isn’t the tax code…it’s confusion! TurboTax offers a truly free, easy-to-use solution that doesn’t hide costs behind technicalities. If you’ve ever hesitated to file because you assumed it would cost you, this is your sign to rethink what “free” really means.
With TurboTax, free is free. And that’s something worth filing away.
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