Common Questions

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help_outlineCommon Questions

FAQ / Quick questions

To print your return, click on the 'Summary/Print' tab on the left-hand toolbar. Once you're on that page, you can also save your completed return as a PDF. 
 

TaxSlayer is not able to transfer your information or your account from the VITA version of their software to the commercial/paid version of their software. IRS rules prevent TaxSlayer from transferring your account to the paid version of their software.

To file with the commercial version of TaxSlayer, you'll have to create a new username and password and and start your return from the beginning. Keep in mind that there may be a fee to use the commercial version of TaxSlayer. 

TaxSlayer is not able to transfer your information or your account from the VITA version to the commercial/paid version of TaxSlayer. IRS rules prevent TaxSlayer from transferring your account to their paid version.

If you'd prefer to file with the commercial version of TaxSlayer, you will have to create a new username and password and re-enter any information you may have already entered in the VITA version of the software. There may also be a fee to use the commercia version of TaxSlayer.

Federal tax returns are due around April 15 each year. 2024 tax returns are due on April 15, 2025. However, if you get a refund from the IRS and do not owe taxes, you will not face a penalty for failing to file by the return deadline. You have until October 15 to electronically file a current-year return. 2024 tax year returns can be electronically filed until October 15, 2025. 

Do you need to file a prior-year return to claim any missed refund or tax credits? You can do so within three years of the original filing deadline. For example, a 2021 return, which was initially due in April 2022, may be filed by April 2025 to receive any owed refund.

Please note, the MyFreeTaxes self-preparation filing method only supports current-year returns. Please choose our "Have My Taxes Filed For Me" option if you need assistance filing a past-due, prior-year return.

The IRS recommends a few options for obtaining your prior-year AGI.

Preferred Method

  • Keep a copy of your tax return, which includes your AGI is on line 8b on Form 1040.
  • If you are using the same tax preparation software that you used last year, it should have your prior-year return saved for you to access.
  • First-time filers over the age of 16 enter zero as your AGI.
  • If you have an Identity Protection (IP) PIN, use it instead of your prior-year AGI when prompted by your software. You can sign up for an IP PIN through the IRS’ online tool.

Alternative Methods

  • Use the IRS’ Get Transcript Online tool to immediately view your AGI. You must pass the Secure Access identity verification process. Select the Tax Return Transcript and use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.
  • Use Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946 if you cannot pass Secure Access and need to request a Tax Return Transcript. Please allow 5 to 10 days for delivery. Use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.

If you received a message that you need an updated URL to access the tax filing software on MyFreeTaxes, you may have used an old URL. You must go through MyFreeTaxes.com to access the current version of the tax filing software.  

Go to MyFreeTaxes.com and choose "File My Own Taxes."  Answer the prompts and then choose "File Now" to be connected to the TaxSlayer software. You will have to go through this process each time you access your return. 


Here are two sample error codes you may see:

"You are attempting to use an invalid URL. Please contact your VITA/TCE volunteer or VITA/TCE site for an updated URL."

"You must use a valid URL to create your 2024 tax return. Please contact your VITA/TCE volunteer or VITA/TCE site for an updated URL."

You can deactivate your tax return by deleting it from TaxSlayer's software. This will allow you to start over from scratch. Follow these steps: 

  1. Log into your TaxSlayer account.
  2. Click on Settings, then Transaction History.
  3. In the "Deactivate Tax Return" section, select a reason from the drop-down menu, then select "Clear Your Return and Restart."

Yes!

MyFreeTaxes may be used by Puerto Rican residents to file their taxes with the IRS. Puerto Rican residents who want to file their own taxes and earned less than $84,000 can use our partner software to file their return with the IRS, including claiming the Child Tax Credit. Forms 1040, 1040PR, and 1040SS are all supported.

Puerto Rican residents may also use the MyFreeTaxes option "Have My Return Prepared For Me" option to locate a VITA program that can prepare your return for you for free.

Please note, MyFreeTaxes does not support filing taxes with the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda). If you are a Puerto Rican resident who needs to file local taxes in Puerto Rico, please visit the Departamento de Hacienda website.

How early can I start filing my return?

The IRS will start accepting 2022 returns on Monday, January 23, 2023.

Federal tax returns are due around April 15 each year. 2024 tax returns are due on April 15, 2025. However, if you get a refund from the IRS and do not owe taxes, you will not face a penalty for failing to file by the return deadline. You have until October 15 to electronically file a current-year return. For example, 2024 tax year returns can be electronically filed until October 15, 2025. 

Do you need to file a prior-year return to claim any missed refund or tax credits? You can do so within three years of the original filing deadline. For example, a 2021 return, which was initially due in April 2022, may be filed by April 2025 to receive any owed refund.

Please note, the MyFreeTaxes self-preparation filing method only supports current-year returns. Please choose our "Have My Taxes Filed For Me" option if you need assistance filing a past-due, prior-year return.

There are several factors that affect whether or not you will need to file a tax return, including your age, gross income, and filing status. You likely have to file a return if you are under 65, earned at least $14,600 in 2024, and file single. See the chart below for more details or get more information from the IRS here.

There are benefits to filing your taxes even if your income falls below these thresholds. You may be eligible for tax credits that entitle you to a refund. Tax filing is also an important way to verify your income if you are applying for Federal Student Aid, social security, or a loan from a bank or credit union.

 

Filing StatusAgeMinimum W-2 Income RequirementMinimum Self-Employment Income Requirement
SingleUnder 65$14,600$400
Single65 or older$16,550$400
Head of HouseholdUnder 65$21,900$400
Head of Household65 or older$23,850$400
Married Filing JointlyUnder 65 (both spouses)$29,200$400
Married Filing Jointly65 or older (one spouse)$30,750$400
Married Filing Jointly65 or older (both spouses)$32,300$400
Married Filing SeparatelyAny age$5$400
Qualifying Surviving Spouse with Dependent ChildrenUnder 65$29,200$400
Qualifying Surviving Spouse with Dependent Children65 or older$30,750$400

 

If you didn’t file last year’s return and are owed a refund there are no penalties. You have three years from the initial return due date to file and claim a refund you are owed. 

If you owe taxes, you might owe the IRS a “failure to file” and “failure to pay on time” penalty in addition to last year’s taxes. 

MyFreeTaxes does not allow you to file prior year returns. To file a prior year return, choose “Have My Taxes Prepared For Me” option the homepage to connect with a virtual or in-person nonprofit VITA program that can prepare your prior year returns.  

You can also access prior year forms and instructions from the IRS.

The best way to guarantee that you are using free tax preparation software is to start at MyFreeTaxes.com.

Start at MyFreeTaxes.com, select the “File myself” option, answer the questions, and choose "File Now."  

If you navigate to TaxSlayer directly, or use a link from another website, we cannot guarantee you won’t accidentally access one of TaxSlayer’s paid products.

If you see a fee, you'll need to delete your return and start over by accessing the software via MyFreeTaxes.com.

To delete your tax return:

  • Log into your TaxSlayer account
  • Using the gray side bar, go to Settings, then Transaction History
  • In the Deactivate Tax Return section, select a reason from the drop down menu and click the "Clear Your Return and Restart" button
    • If the Deactivate Tax Return section is empty, please log out of your account, close your internet browser, re-open your browser, and repeat the steps above.
  • Go to MyFreeTaxes.com, choose our self-file option, and complete our questions. We will connect you to our partner software using our special referral link.
  • Finally, log into your tax software account using to ensure your account is tagged with our referral link.

 

MyFreeTaxes connects users who need help filing their return with the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program (accessible by selecting the "Have My Taxes Prepared for Me" option on our homepage.) These programs generally support all tax situations except:

  • Returns with Rental Property Income
  • Returns with Farm Income
  • Returns with income well above $67,000*

If you are ineligible to have your return prepared for you through the IRS’ VITA program, you can still use our free self-preparation software to file your taxes yourself. Click here to get started.

*Income limits for VITA programs vary, but are generally less than $67,000. Many VITA programs support incomes above this level, so if you need your return prepared for you it is worth inquiring with our partner programs to see if they can assist you.

MyFreeTaxes includes the same federal and state forms offered in most major tax filing platforms. Here is the complete list of forms that are included in our self-preparation software (accessible by selecting the “File My Own Taxes” option on our homepage) for users who earn below $84k:

  • Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Return
  • Form 1040-NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
  • Form 1040-PR Self-Employment Tax Return - Puerto Rico
  • Form 1040-SR Individual Income Tax Return for Seniors
  • Form 1040-ES Estimated Tax
  • Form 1040-V Payment Voucher
  • Form 1040-X Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
  • Form W-2 Wages and Taxes
  • Schedule 1 Additional Income and Adjustments to Income
  • Schedule 2 Additional Taxes
  • Schedule 3 Additional Credits and Payments
  • Schedule A Itemized Deductions
  • Schedule B Interest and Dividend Income
  • Schedule C/EZ Profit or Loss from Business
  • Schedule D Capital Gains or Losses
  • Schedule E Rental and Royalty Income
  • Schedule EIC Earned Income Credit
  • Schedule F Profit or Loss from Farming
  • Schedule H Household Employment Taxes
  • Schedule K-1 1065 Distribution Partnership
  • Schedule K-1 1041 Estate and Trust Income
  • Schedule K-1 1120-S Shareholders Share of Income
  • Schedule R Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
  • Schedule SE Self-Employment Tax
  • Schedule 8812 Additional Child Tax Credit
  • Form 982 Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness
  • Form 1095-A Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
  • Form 1095-B Health Coverage
  • Form 1095-C Employer-provided Health Insurance Coverage
  • Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement
  • Form 1098-C Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats and Airplanes
  • Form 1098-E Student Loan Interest
  • Form 1098-MA Mortgage Assistance Payment
  • Form 1098-T Tuition Payment
  • Form 1099-A Acquisition or Abandonment of Secured Property
  • Form 1099-B Proceeds from Broker Transactions
  • Form 1099-C Cancellation of Debt
  • Form 1099-DIV Dividends and Distributions Income
  • Form 1099-G Certain Government Payments
  • Form 1099-INT Interest Income
  • Form 1099-K Payment Card and Third Party Transactions
  • Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Income
  • Form 1099-NEC Non-Employee Compensation
  • Form 1099-OID Original Issue Discount
  • Form 1099-Q Payments from Qualified Education Programs
  • Form 1099-R Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement, or Profit Sharing
  • Form 1099-RRB Railroad Retirement
  • Form 1099-S Proceeds from Real Estate Transactions
  • Form 1099-SA Distributions from an HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA
  • Form 1099-SSA Social Security Distributions
  • Form 1310 Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer
  • Form 2120 Multiple Support Declaration
  • Form 2210 Underpayment Penalty
  • Form 2441 Child and Dependent Care Credit
  • Form 2555 Foreign Earned Income
  • Form 3468 Investment Credit
  • Form 3800 General Business Credit
  • Form 3909 Moving Expenses (Military Only)
  • Form 4136 Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels
  • Form 4137 Tax on Unreported Tip Income
  • Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
  • Form 4684 Casualties and Theft
  • Form 4797 Sales of Business Property
  • Form 4835 Farm Rental Income and Expenses
  • Form 4868 Automatic Extension of Time to File
  • Form 4952 Investment Interest Expense Deduction
  • Form 5329 Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts
  • Form 5405 First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit
  • Form 5498 IRA Contribution Individuals
  • Form 5498 SA Health Savings Account
  • Form 5695 Residential Energy Credits
  • Form 5884-A Employee Retention Credit
  • Form 6251 Alternative Minimum Tax
  • Form 6252 Installment Sale Income
  • Form 6765 Credit for Increasing Research Activities from Pass-through Entities
  • Form 6781 Gains and Losses from Section 1256 Contracts
  • Form 7202 Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals
  • Form 8283 Non-Cash Contributions
  • Form 8332 Release of Claim to Exemption
  • Form 8379 Injured Spouse
  • Form 8396 Mortgage Interest Credit
  • Form 8453 Electronic Filing
  • Form 8582 Passive Activity
  • Form 8606 Nondeductible IRAs
  • Form 8615 Tax for Certain Children Who Have Unearned Income
  • Form 8814 Parents' Election To Report Child's Interest and Dividends
  • Form 8815 Exclusion of Interest from Series EE and I U.S. Savings Bonds
  • Form 8829 Business Use of Home
  • Form 8839 Qualified Adoption Expenses
  • Form 8853 Archer MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts
  • Form 8859 DC First-Time Homebuyer Credit
  • Form 8862 Information to Claim Earned Income Credit after Disallowance
  • Form 8863 Education Credit (American Opportunity, Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits)
  • Form 8880 Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
  • Form 8888 Direct Deposit of Refund
  • Form 8889 Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
  • Form 8901 Information on Qualifying Children who are not dependents
  • Form 8903 Domestic Production Activities Deduction
  • Form 8910 Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
  • Form 8915-E Distributions Subject to the CARES Act
  • Form 8917 Tuition and Fees Deduction
  • Form 8936 Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
  • Form 8941 Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums
  • Form 8949 Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets
  • Form 8958 Allocation of Tax Between Individuals in Community Property States
  • Form 8960 Net Investment Income Tax Individuals, Estates, and Trusts
  • Form 8962 Premium Tax Credit
  • Form 8965 Health Coverage Exemptions
  • Form 8995 Qualified Business Income Deduction

MyFreeTaxes users who wish to self-prepare their return and earn more than $84k can visit Cash App Taxes to view their list of supported forms here.

Helpline

The MyFreeTaxes Helpline is staffed by dedicated call specialists who have completed IRS VITA program training and certification. Our Helpline call specialists are available to answer questions about MyFreeTaxes, help you troubleshoot issues you may face while using the tax filing software we connect you to, and answer certain tax questions you have while completing your return through MyFreeTaxes.

Our main Helpline can be reached at 866-698-9435. It is available 10 am - 6 pm ET daily from February 6 - April 18, and 10 am - 6 pm ET daily from April 19 - October 31.

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