As of April 2025, the average American spent about $290 to file their income tax returns, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.
That’s a pretty good chunk of money, although spending it probably won’t feel that painful if you get the typical refund. Through Feb. 26, 2026, the average federal refund this year was $3,742, according to the IRS. But you don’t necessarily have to spend any money to file your return. Quite a few free options are available from the IRS and other organizations. In some cases, you can even file for free with a side income.
