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EZFile calculates your tax return, but you must file it yourself at Free File Fillable Forms. This guide walks you through every field.
Free File Fillable Forms does very little math for you. You must calculate most values yourself and enter them manually — that’s exactly what EZFile does.

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Before You Start

You’ll need:
  • Your completed return summary from EZFile
  • Your original W-2 (for your full SSN)
  • Your bank account info (for direct deposit)
  • Prior year AGI or self-select PIN

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Step 1: Create Your Account

1

Go to Free File Fillable Forms

Visit https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/
2

Create an account

You’ll need:
  • Your full SSN
  • Date of birth
  • Prior year AGI (from last year’s return) OR prior year self-select PIN
3

Select Form 1040

Choose “Form 1040” (or “Form 1040-SR” if you’re 65 or older)

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Step 2: Personal Information

Click on each field and type the value:
FieldWhat to EnterSource
First name and middle initialYour legal nameW-2 Box e
Last nameYour legal last nameW-2 Box e
Social security numberYour full SSNW-2 Box a
Filing statusCheck “Single”Always Single for EZFile users
Digital assets questionCheck “No”Unless you had crypto
Important: Unlike EZFile, you WILL enter your full SSN on the actual tax form. EZFile masks it for privacy during calculation, but you need the real number to file.

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Step 3: Address Section

FieldWhat to EnterSource
Home addressYour current mailing addressMay differ from W-2 Box f
City, state, ZIPCurrent city, state, ZIP—

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Step 4: Income Section

LineField NameValue to EnterSource
1aWages, salaries, tips[From your return]Sum of all W-2 Box 1 amounts
1zAdd lines 1a through 1hSame as Line 1aFor W-2 only, just 1a
9Total incomeLine 1z + Line 8Line 8 from Schedule 1 if applicable

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Step 5: Adjustments Section

You’ll need to add Schedule 1 first:
  1. Click “Add Form” or ”+” button
  2. Search for “Schedule 1”
  3. Select “Schedule 1 (Form 1040)”
Then fill Schedule 1:
LineField NameValue
21Student loan interest deduction[From your return]
26Total adjustmentsSame as Line 21
The value flows to Form 1040 Line 10.
LineField NameValue to EnterSource
10Adjustments to income[Schedule 1, Line 26]Student loan interest
11Adjusted gross incomeLine 9 - Line 10This is your AGI

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Step 6: Deductions Section

LineField NameValue to EnterSource
12aStandard deduction15,750or15,750 or 17,75015,750under65,15,750 under 65, 17,750 if 65+
12bCharitable deduction$0Not itemizing
12cAdd Schedule 1-A[From your return]Tips/overtime/car/senior
13Qualified business income$0W-2 only, no QBI
14Total deductions12a + 12b + 12c + 13Sum
15Taxable incomeLine 11 - Line 14Cannot be negative
You’ll need to add Schedule 1-A:
  1. Click “Add Form”
  2. Search for “Schedule 1-A”
  3. Select “Schedule 1-A (Form 1040)”
Then fill Schedule 1-A:
LineField NameValue
1Tip income deduction[From your return]
2Overtime pay deduction[From your return]
3Auto loan interest[From your return]
4Senior deduction[From your return]
5TotalSum of Lines 1-4
The value flows to Form 1040 Line 12c.

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Step 7: Tax Section

LineField NameValue to EnterSource
16Tax[From your return]Calculated from brackets
17Schedule 2, line 21$0No AMT
18Add lines 16 and 17Same as Line 16—
19Nonrefundable credits[From your return]Saver’s Credit if eligible
22Subtract Line 19 from 18Line 18 - Line 19Cannot go below $0
23Other taxes$0—
24Total taxLine 22 + Line 23Your total federal tax
You’ll need to add Form 8880:
  1. Click “Add Form”
  2. Search for “8880”
  3. Select “Form 8880”
Then fill Form 8880:
LineValue
1Retirement contributions (W-2 Box 12)
2$2,000
3min(Line 1, Line 2)
4Credit rate (50%, 20%, or 10% based on AGI)
5Line 3 × Line 4
The value flows to Schedule 3 Line 4, then to Form 1040 Line 19.

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Step 8: Payments Section

LineField NameValue to EnterSource
25aFederal tax withheld from W-2s[Sum of all W-2 Box 2]From your return
25dTotal federal tax withheldSame as Line 25a—
27aEarned income credit[From your return]If eligible
33Total payments and creditsLine 25d + Line 27aTotal

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Step 9: Refund or Amount Owed

LineField NameValue
34OverpaidLine 33 - Line 24
35aRefunded to youSame as Line 34
35bRouting numberYour bank routing number
35cAccount typeChecking or Savings
35dAccount numberYour bank account number

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Step 10: Signature Section

FieldWhat to Enter
Your signatureE-sign with Free File Fillable Forms
DateDate you file
OccupationYour job title
Identity Protection PINIf you received one from IRS (optional)
Phone numberYour phone number

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Step 11: Review and Submit

1

Review all values

Double-check every number matches your EZFile return summary
2

Run the form check

Free File Fillable Forms will flag any obvious errors
3

E-sign and submit

Use the e-signature feature to sign and file electronically
4

Save confirmation

You’ll receive a confirmation number — save this and download a PDF copy

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After You File

Track Your Refund

Use “Where’s My Refund?” to track your refund status

Typical Timeline

E-filed returns with direct deposit: refund typically arrives in ~21 days
Save a PDF copy of your filed return for your records. You’ll need your AGI from this return when filing next year.

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Need Help?

If you have questions while filing:
  • Use /ezfile:explain <topic> to understand any tax concept
  • Use /ezfile:review to see your return summary again
  • Check the IRS Free File FAQ

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