What are the best free individual tax preparation software options for students filing straightforward returns?

For students with straightforward tax returns, the best free individual tax prep options are usually the ones that support simple W-2 income, standard deduction, and basic education credits without surprise fees.

Best free options

1. IRS Free File

   • Best if you qualify based on income.
   • Offers access to partner tax software for free.
   • Good for federal returns; state availability varies.
   • Start here if you want the most trustworthy no-cost option.

2. FreeTaxUSA

   • Very popular for simple returns.
   • Federal filing is free for most people.
   • State return usually costs a small fee.
   • Good for students who have W-2s, interest income, and maybe education credits like the American Opportunity Credit.

3. Cash App Taxes

   • Truly free for federal and state returns.
   • Good for straightforward tax situations.
   • Easy to use, but less feature-rich than paid software.
   • Best if you want a completely free option and your return is simple.

4. TaxAct Free File / Free edition

   • Can work for simple returns.
   • Be careful: some forms and state filing may cost extra.
   • Good interface, but free version is more limited than competitors.

5. OLT.com Free File

   • Basic free filing option.
   • Better for very simple returns.
   • Interface is more bare-bones, but it can get the job done.

Best choice for most students

• Cash App Taxes if you want free federal and state filing with a simple return.
• FreeTaxUSA if you’re okay paying a small state fee and want a solid, easy experience.
• IRS Free File if you qualify and want a more official route.

What to watch out for

• Free versions may not support:
  • self-employment income
  • complicated investments
  • itemized deductions
  • multiple state returns
• Some “free” products add fees at the end for state filing, audit support, or refund advances.

Quick recommendation

If you’re a student with:

• one or two W-2s
• maybe a 1098-T
• standard deduction
• no business income

then Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA are usually the best picks.

If you want, I can also give you a side-by-side comparison table of the top free options for students.