The clock is ticking, but there are still a few hours left to file your tax return by the April 15 deadline.
You may even be able to do it for free.
Taxpayers with adjusted gross income, or AGI, of $84,000 or less in 2024 can use IRS Free File.
This program means you’d use one of the IRS’ eight “private-sector partners” to complete your federal returns. Those companies are:
- 1040Now
- Drake
- ezTaxReturn.com (also available in Spanish)
- FileYourTaxes.com
- On-Line Taxes
- TaxAct
- TaxHawk
- TaxSlayer
You must use the links for each company on IRS.gov to file for free, though, so don’t go firstly to the company websites.
Also not that some offer free state tax return filing while others charge a fee for that service.
This is the first year New Jersey residents can use IRS Direct File.
More than 1.3 million residents will be eligible for the service, Gov. Phil Murphy said when he announced the program in July. The state later said another 400,000 taxpayers with retirement income would be eligible because of updates to the service.
For IRS Direct File, you must have lived in New Jersey for all of 2024 and you must have earned all of your income in the Garden State. You must also use the same filing status for both your federal and state returns.
But there are income limits. You may not use Direct File if you have wages of more than $200,000 (or more than $168,600 if you had more than one employer), if you are married and file a joint tax return and your wages together are more than $250,000, or if you’re married but file separately with wages exceeding $125,000.
MORE: Don’t make these mistakes when you file your tax return
MORE: Need a copy of an old tax return? Here’s how to get one.
https://www.nj.com/news/2025/04/need-a-copy-of-an-old-tax-return-heres-how-to-get-one.html
MORE: Can I get my tax refund faster? Is there a secret? Here’s what the IRS says.
You cannot use Direct File if you itemize or if you had unreported cash income such as tips, if you received alimony, or if you had 1099 income from gig work.
If you’re not eligible for Free File or Direct File, you can use Free File Fillable Forms (FFFF) on the IRS website.
“These electronic versions of IRS paper forms are ideal for individuals who are comfortable preparing their own taxes using IRS instructions and publications,” the IRS said.
If you’re going to need more time to complete your return, you should file for an extension.
The six-month extension would give you until Oct. 15 to file your return.
But remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay what you owe, so you should make at least an estimated payment to avoid penalties and interest.
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.
Karin Price Mueller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
