Taxes · Video Lesson
Free Tax Filing: IRS Free File
Many people can file their federal taxes for free. This lesson introduces the IRS Free File program — free, guided tax-prep software offered through the IRS for filers under an income limit (which the IRS updates each year) — and walks students through who qualifies, how it works, and the e-filing process.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Taxes
- Grade Level
- Grades 7–12 + adult
- Resource Type
- Video Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Format
- Class discussion + guided exploration
- Materials
- Video, worksheet, devices for the IRS website activity
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Explain what the IRS Free File program is
- Describe who is eligible (filers under the IRS’s annual income limit)
- Explain how the free guided tax-prep software works
- Describe the e-filing submission process
- Identify options for filers above the Free File income limit
Video Lesson
Watch: Free Tax Filing: IRS Free File
Materials
What you’ll need
- Internet access for the video
- Printed copies of the worksheet quiz (one per student)
- Devices to explore the IRS Free File site
- Whiteboard or projector
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- IRS Free File
- A program offering free guided tax-prep software to filers under an income limit.
- Adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Total income minus certain adjustments; used to check Free File eligibility.
- E-file
- Submitting a tax return electronically.
- Form 1040
- The standard federal individual income tax return.
- Tax refund
- Money returned when you paid more tax during the year than you owed.
- Eligibility
- Meeting the requirements (here, an income limit) to use a program.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period.
Lesson sequence
- Introduction (10 min). Ask whether students know you can often file federal taxes for free. Introduce IRS Free File.
- Watch the video (15 min). Play the lesson video. Ask students to note who qualifies and how the program works.
- Discussion (12 min). Cover what IRS Free File is, the income-limit eligibility (updated yearly by the IRS), the guided-software vs. fillable-forms options, and why knowing your filing options matters.
- Activity — explore (10 min). In pairs, students visit the IRS Free File page and summarize the options they find.
- Quiz (8 min). Students complete the printable quiz; the answer key is included for teacher use.
Assessment
Assess participation, the exploration summary, and the printable quiz.
This lesson is for educational purposes only and is not tax advice. Free File income limits and details are set by the IRS and change yearly — check IRS.gov for current figures.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What is the IRS Free File program, and what does it offer?
- Who is generally eligible to use Free File?
- How does the free guided tax software help someone file?
- What does it mean to e-file a return?
- What options exist for people whose income is above the Free File limit?
Printable Quiz
IRS Free File — Quiz & Answer Key
Multiple-choice quiz based on the video, with an answer key for teacher use.
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