How to File Your NC State Taxes for Free in 2026

Can You Really File NC State Taxes for Free?

Yes — and most North Carolina residents qualify. The NC Department of Revenue estimates that roughly 70% of North Carolinians can file both their federal and state returns completely free of charge through the NCfreefile program and other options. With the April 15, 2026 deadline approaching, now is the time to find the right free option for your situation.

This guide covers every legitimate free filing path available to NC residents in 2026, including income limits, what each option supports, and exactly where to go to get started. For context on what you'll owe after filing, use our NC Paycheck Calculator or see our NC Income Tax Calculator guide.

Option 1: NCfreefile — The Official NC Free Filing Program

NCfreefile is the North Carolina Department of Revenue's official free e-filing program, run in partnership with the Free File Alliance. It's the most direct way to file your NC state return for free because participating partners prepare and submit both your federal and state return at no cost.

Who Qualifies for NCfreefile

• Individual filers: Income up to $66,000
• Joint filers: Combined income up to $95,000
• Approximately 70% of NC residents meet these thresholds
• Each partner within the program may set additional requirements (age, state residency, return complexity)

How to Access NCfreefile

1. Go to ncdor.gov/NCfreefile — always start from the NCDOR website to ensure you reach a legitimate partner
2. Review the partner list and select the one that fits your situation
3. You'll be redirected to the partner's site to complete your return
4. Both your federal and NC state returns will be filed electronically at no charge

Option 2: IRS Free File — For Federal Returns up to $89,000 AGI

IRS Free File is the federal government's free filing program, offering guided tax software to taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $89,000 or less for tax year 2025. For 2026, the program has eight participating partners — each with its own eligibility rules around age, income, and return type.

Two Ways to Use IRS Free File

• Guided software (AGI ≤ $89,000): Step-by-step preparation with a partner's software, similar to TurboTax or H&R Block but free. Most partners also handle NC state returns as part of the free package.
• Free File Fillable Forms (any income): Electronic versions of IRS forms you fill out manually. No income limit, but no guidance — best for confident filers who know what they're doing.

Access IRS Free File at irs.gov/freefile. The site lets you browse all partners and filter by your situation before choosing.

Option 3: FreeTaxUSA — Free Federal, Low-Cost or Free State

FreeTaxUSA is a widely used alternative that offers genuinely free federal filing for all taxpayers regardless of income or return complexity. It handles W-2 income, self-employment, rental income, investments, and more — all at no federal charge.

FreeTaxUSA Pricing for NC Filers

• Federal return: Always free
• NC state return: Free if your AGI is $51,000 or less (or if you're active-duty military with AGI ≤ $89,000); otherwise $14.99
• Optional Deluxe support add-on: $7.99

For NC residents who earn too much for NCfreefile but want a straightforward, low-cost option, FreeTaxUSA is one of the most recommended choices by tax professionals and personal finance communities alike. Visit freetaxusa.com to get started.

Option 4: VITA — Free In-Person Help for Qualifying Filers

The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free, in-person tax return preparation by IRS-certified volunteers. It's a strong option if you'd prefer help from a person rather than software, or if your situation includes complications that free online tools don't handle well.

Who VITA Serves

• People with low-to-moderate income (generally $67,000 or less)
• Persons with disabilities
• Taxpayers with limited English proficiency
• Elderly taxpayers

How to Find a VITA Site in NC

• Use the VITA Locator Tool at irs.gov/vita
• Call 800-906-9887 for the nearest location
• Sites operate January through April — call ahead as some locations close before April 15

VITA sites in North Carolina are active in major cities including Charlotte (multiple Mecklenburg County locations), Raleigh, Wilmington, High Point, and many others. Volunteers prepare both federal and NC state returns at no cost.

Option 5: AARP Tax-Aide — Free Help for Seniors

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program (part of the IRS's Tax Counseling for the Elderly initiative) provides free tax preparation for taxpayers 60 and older. Unlike VITA, there is no income limit — any senior can use it regardless of how much they earn.

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers specialize in tax situations common among older filers: Social Security income, pension distributions, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and retirement account withdrawals. For more on how these are taxed in NC, see our NC Retirement Income Taxes guide.

How to Find AARP Tax-Aide in NC

• Use the site locator at aarp.org/taxaide
• Call 888-227-7669
• Sites are open January through April 15

What to Have Ready Before You File

Regardless of which free option you choose, gather these documents before you sit down to file:

• Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents
• W-2 forms from all employers (should have arrived by January 31)
• 1099 forms for freelance income, interest, dividends, or retirement distributions
• Last year's NC tax return — helpful for your prior-year AGI, which some software requires to verify your identity
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of any refund
• Records for deductions if you plan to itemize on your NC return (mortgage interest statement, property tax records, charitable contribution receipts)

For a full breakdown of what you can deduct on your NC return, see our NC Standard Deduction 2026 guide.

Don't Miss the April 15 Deadline

North Carolina's individual income tax return deadline for tax year 2025 is April 15, 2026 — the same day as the federal deadline. Filing electronically through any of the options above is faster, more secure, and results in quicker refunds than paper filing.

If you can't file by April 15, you can request an extension — but note that an extension to file is not an extension to pay. Any taxes owed are still due April 15. For details on how extensions and late filing penalties work, see our guide on NC self-employment tax (which covers quarterly and annual filing obligations) or consult ncdor.gov directly.