You can file federal taxes with free file software if your income is under $64,000. Most people don’t know that, though: Consumerist reports that only about three percent of eligible filers take advantage.
The IRS also provides free fillable forms for everybody, regardless of income. With these, nobody will help you figure out what numbers to put in the boxes (you’ll just have the instructions that come with that form), but you can still file online without having to pay anybody a dime.
Obviously, if your tax situation is complicated, you should seek advice from a professional or from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service (VITA). You can qualify for VITA if your income is below $54,000, or if you are disabled or speak limited English.
For state taxes, many states allow you to file online for free, as well. Here’s a breakdown, but always double check with your state’s tax website. Some offer free filing only under a certain income, while others (including my home state Pennsylvania, as well as New York and California) allow anyone to use their free e-file systems.