You can file your tax return yourself online, by mail, or with a tax professional — the path depends on how complex your situation is and what you prefer to spend

Filing a tax return means sending the IRS a record of your income, deductions, and tax payments for the year so they can calculate what you owe or what refund is coming to you. Most people file between January and April 15th, though you can file earlier once you have your income documents. You have three main routes: use free or paid tax software on your computer, work with a tax professional in person or by phone, or print and mail paper forms to the IRS.

The IRS does not file your return for you — you have to do it or hire someone to do it. The choice between doing it yourself and paying for help usually comes down to whether your taxes are straightforward (W-2 income, standard deduction, no side business) or complicated (self-employment income, rental property, investments, multiple jobs).

Key Takeaways

  • You need your W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms for other income, and records of deductions before you start filing.
  • Free IRS-approved tax software is available to most people earning under $79,000 per year through the IRS Free File program.
  • Self-employed people and those with investment income usually benefit from working with a tax professional because mistakes can cost more than the fee.
  • The April 15th deadline applies to most people, but you can request a six-month extension if you need more time to gather documents.
  • Filing electronically gets you a refund faster than mailing a paper return, usually within 21 days instead of several months.

Gather your income documents before you start

You cannot file accurately without the right paperwork. Employers send W-2 forms by January 31st showing wages and taxes withheld. If you earned money outside a regular job — freelance work, gig work, rental income, investment income — you will receive 1099 forms from the payer. If you did not receive a 1099 you expected, contact the payer and ask for it; the IRS has a copy too.

Collect receipts or records for deductions you plan to claim. If you take the standard deduction (which most people do), you do not need receipts — the IRS gives you a flat deduction amount based on your filing status. If you itemize deductions instead, you need documentation for mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable donations, or medical expenses. Keep these records for at least three years in case the IRS asks questions later.

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. If you are married filing jointly, you need your spouse's information too. If you have dependents, gather their Social Security numbers and birthdates.

Decide whether to use tax software, a professional, or paper forms

Tax software walks you through questions about your income and deductions, calculates your return, and files it electronically. The IRS Free File program offers free software through approved companies if you earned less than $79,000 in the tax year. You download the software, enter your information at your own pace, and file when ready. This route works well if your taxes are simple: you have one or two W-2s, take the standard deduction, and have no business income or rental property.

A tax professional — a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer — meets with you, asks about your income and deductions, and files the return for you. This costs money (typically $150 to $500 depending on complexity), but it is worth it if you are self-employed, own rental property, have investment income, or had a major life change like a divorce or home sale. A professional catches deductions you might miss and handles the IRS if questions come up later.

Paper forms are the slowest option. You download or request forms from IRS.gov, fill them by hand, and mail them to the address on the form. The IRS processes paper returns much more slowly than electronic ones, and refunds take several months. Use this route only if you cannot access a computer or have a strong reason to avoid electronic filing.

What to do if you cannot file by April 15th

You can request an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 4868 with the IRS before April 15th. This gives you until October 15th to file your return. The extension delays filing, not payment — if you owe taxes, you still owe them by April 15th, and you will pay interest and penalties on late payment. If you expect a refund, filing late just delays getting your money.

To request an extension, use tax software (most will do it for you), ask a tax professional to file it, or mail Form 4868 to the IRS yourself. You can also pay an estimated amount of tax by April 15th and file the actual return later; the payment counts toward what you owe.

File electronically for faster refunds

Electronic filing (e-filing) sends your return to the IRS through secure software. The IRS accepts e-filed returns faster, processes them faster, and issues refunds faster — usually within 21 days if you choose direct deposit to your bank account. Paper returns take several months to process.

Most tax software files electronically by default. If you work with a tax professional, they file electronically unless you specifically ask them not to. You can also e-file paper forms through certain IRS-approved providers, though this is rare.

E-filing is free through the IRS Free File program. Paid tax software charges a fee (usually $60 to $150) unless you use the free version. Tax professionals charge for their time regardless of how you file.

What happens after you file

The IRS sends you a confirmation that your return was received. If you e-filed, this happens within 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, it takes weeks. Keep this confirmation for your records.

The IRS then processes your return. If everything matches their records (your W-2s, 1099s, and tax payments), they calculate your refund or bill you for what you owe. If something does not match, they send you a letter asking for more information. This is normal and does not mean you did anything wrong — it usually means a number did not match or a document was unclear.

If you are getting a refund, it arrives by direct deposit (fastest) or check (slower). If you owe taxes, you can pay online through IRS.gov, by mail, or through your tax software. Paying by the deadline avoids penalties and interest.

Self-employed people and business owners need different forms

If you earned money from self-employment — freelance work, a side business, gig work — you file a regular 1040 return but also file Schedule C to report your business income and expenses. You calculate your profit (income minus expenses) and pay self-employment tax on top of income tax. This is more complex than a W-2 job because you have to track expenses, calculate depreciation if you own equipment, and understand which deductions are allowed.

Many self-employed people work with a tax professional because mistakes on Schedule C can trigger an audit or cost more in penalties than the professional's fee. If you do file yourself, use tax software designed for self-employed people, not the basic version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a tax return if I did not earn much money?

It depends on your income and filing status. The IRS sets a threshold each year — for 2024, most single people under 65 do not have to file if they earned less than $14,600. If you earned less than that, you do not have to file. However, if taxes were withheld from your paychecks, filing gets you a refund of that money, so it is worth doing even if you are not required to.

What if I made a mistake on my return after I filed it?

You can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. You have three years from the original due date to amend. If the mistake means you owe more money, file the amended return and pay as soon as possible to avoid interest and penalties. If the mistake means you are owed a refund, file the amended return and the IRS will send it to you.

Can I file my taxes if I do not have all my documents yet?

You can request an extension to give yourself more time to gather documents. File Form 4868 by April 15th to get until October 15th. You still owe any taxes by April 15th, but you have more time to file the actual return. If you are expecting a refund, there is no penalty for filing late — you just get your money later.

Is it cheaper to file myself or hire a tax professional?

Filing yourself through free software costs nothing if you use the IRS Free File program (available if you earned under $79,000). Paid tax software costs $60 to $150. A tax professional costs $150 to $500 or more depending on complexity. If your taxes are simple, free software saves money. If you are self-employed or have complicated income, a professional often saves more in taxes than they cost.

When will I get my refund?

E-filed returns with direct deposit typically result in refunds within 21 days. Paper returns take several months. You can check the status of your refund on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates once a day. If your refund is delayed, it usually means the IRS is reviewing something on your return and will send you a letter if they need more information.