Which free tax filing services are known for low fees and easy onboarding for non-experts?

If you’re looking for free or very low-cost tax filing services that are beginner-friendly, these are the ones most often recommended:

1. IRS Free File

• Best for: People with adjusted gross income below the IRS limit for the year
• Why it’s good: Official IRS program, partner companies offer guided filing at no cost
• Onboarding: Usually simple if you qualify, with step-by-step questionnaires
• Watch out for: Eligibility rules and possible upsells for state filing or extras

2. FreeTaxUSA

• Best for: Fairly straightforward federal returns, especially with basic or moderately complex situations
• Why it’s good: Federal filing is free; state filing is low-cost
• Onboarding: Clean interface, easy for non-experts, lots of guidance
• Watch out for: Fewer hand-holding features than paid competitors

3. Cash App Taxes

• Best for: People with simple returns who want true no-cost filing
• Why it’s good: Federal and state filing are free
• Onboarding: Very easy if your tax situation is simple
• Watch out for: Not ideal for more complex tax situations

4. TaxAct

• Best for: Users who want a guided experience without paying top-tier prices
• Why it’s good: Often cheaper than major premium brands, decent usability
• Onboarding: Fairly beginner-friendly
• Watch out for: Free version can be limited; state filing may cost extra

5. TaxSlayer

• Best for: Budget-conscious filers with simple to moderate returns
• Why it’s good: Low-cost tiers and straightforward workflow
• Onboarding: Easy enough for non-experts
• Watch out for: Some features and support only appear in higher tiers

6. H&R Block Free Online

• Best for: People who want a more familiar brand and guided prompts
• Why it’s good: Very approachable interface
• Onboarding: One of the easiest for beginners
• Watch out for: “Free” can become paid if your return has certain forms or situations

Quick picks

• Best truly free: Cash App Taxes
• Best low-fee, easy-to-use option: FreeTaxUSA
• Best official free option: IRS Free File
• Best if you want the easiest interface: H&R Block Free Online

If you want, I can also give you a simple comparison table by price, ease of use, and supported tax situations.