E-filing is faster, more accurate, and gets you a refund quicker than paper filing. Here's the process from gathering documents to tracking your refund.
Gather your documents
- W-2s from every employer
- 1099 forms (1099-NEC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, etc.) for any other income
- Records of deductible expenses if itemizing
- Last year's tax return, for reference
- Bank account details for direct deposit of any refund
Choose how you'll file
Options include IRS Free File (free, for taxpayers under an income threshold), IRS Direct File (free, available in participating states), commercial tax software, or a paid tax preparer. Most individual filers with straightforward returns can comfortably self-file using free or low-cost software.
Enter your information
Work through income, deductions, and credits systematically. Good software will prompt you for common credits (Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits) based on your answers.
Review before submitting
Double-check your Social Security number, bank account/routing numbers for direct deposit, and that all income documents match what you entered — small errors here are a common cause of processing delays.
E-file and track your refund
Once submitted, you'll get confirmation of acceptance, usually within 24-48 hours. Track your refund status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool — most e-filed returns with direct deposit are processed within 21 days.
Know your numbers before you file.
Use the Federal Income Tax Calculator →Avoid these common slip-ups
See our companion post, Common Tax Filing Mistakes, for the errors that most often trigger processing delays or an IRS notice.
This is a general walkthrough of the standard e-filing process. Complex situations (self-employment income, multiple states, foreign income) may benefit from professional tax preparation.