Here's how to file your taxes for free this year
Americans shell out billions of dollars to prepare and file their tax returns. Here's how to do it without spending a dime.
Your Taxes
What happens if you don't file your taxes? "Huge" penalties.
Each year, millions of taxpayers don't file their taxes — putting them at risk of fines and other penalties from IRS.
Tax advantages of couples filing separately
Alicia Jegede, a CPA and founder of New Gen Financial Planning, discussed the potential benefits and drawbacks of married couples filing their taxes separately and jointly.
When filing taxes separately could help married couples
A CPA weighs the potential benefits and drawbacks of married couples filing their taxes separately and jointly.
IRS says time is running out to claim $1.5 billion in tax refunds
Some households could get a typical refund of almost $1,000 by filing their tax returns for 2019, tax collector says.
Americans facing shrinking tax refunds as inflation remains high
By one estimate, roughly 70% of Americans worry about tax refunds this year, mainly because of expiring pandemic relief programs.
Free tax-filing services available to millions of Americans
Millions of Americans qualify for free tax-filing services. Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez, host of Real Simple's "Money Confidential" podcast, walks through some of the free programs available this tax season.
Scammers ramp up activity as tax deadline approaches
Amy Nofiziger, a fraud expert for AARP, says that as the deadline approaches, scammers, "know that we're stressed and that it's going to be easy manipulating us."
5 money-saving tips for seniors this tax season
Taxes for older Americans can be complicated — here's what to keep in mind as the April 18 filing deadline nears.
How to file a tax extension
Running out of time to meet the April 18 tax filing deadline? Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez, host of Real Simple’s "Money Confidential" podcast, explains the pros and cons of filing for a tax extension.
Which U.S. cities have the lowest and highest property taxes?
Annual property taxes on single-family homes rose 3.6% last year, with the typical homeowner paying nearly $4,000 a year.
Is your state tax-friendly? Here are the most and least taxed.
Differences in local tax rates across the U.S. can add up for those who live in certain states.
Should you aim for a big tax refund—or nothing? The debate, explained
Refunds are met with glee each spring, but financial pros note that it represents money you've overpaid to the government.
Democratic senators call for crackdown on wealthy tax-dodgers
The richest Americans often use trusts and other legal tax dodges to pass their wealth to their heirs tax-free, lawmakers say.
These bogus "tax hacks" can lead to serious trouble with the IRS
The tax agency is warning not to fall for social media advice to file a fake W2 in the hope of getting a big refund.
How small business owners can save on taxes
Some small business owners could be in for a shock this tax season. Rebecca Walser, a tax attorney and president of Walser Wealth Management, joins CBS News's Elaine Quijano and Jericka Duncan with more.
Here's what to know if you haven't filed your tax return yet
Early IRS data provides a peek at what to expect for the millions of Americans who have yet to file their taxes.
Tax filing mistakes to avoid
Millions of Americans need to get ready to file their taxes as this year's deadline fast approaches. Karla Dennis, a tax expert and founder of Karla Dennis and Associates, joined CBS News to go over the biggest mistakes people make and some helpful tips when filing your returns.
How to avoid getting ripped off by your tax preparer
A government watchdog warns that tax pros might not do a better job than you can — and some are straight-up fraudsters.
How long will it take to get your tax refund?
Americans are filing their taxes earlier this year. Here's what to know about the IRS' turnaround time on your refund.
Who qualifies for the home office deduction on their taxes?
The answer depends on what type of an employee you were last year, according to Julia Glum, a news editor at Money.
2023 taxes: How to gain from capital losses
CPA Ryan Losi explains how 2022’s poor stock market performance could be helpful in lessening tax bills this season.
Americans may get a tax refund shock this year
Many tax benefits instituted during the pandemic have lapsed, which means some people could see smaller refunds.
Here's how much people are getting for their tax refund
Tax experts and the IRS itself have warned about smaller refund checks this year due to expiring pandemic aid.
Here are the new 2023 tax brackets — and how to determine yours
Taxpayers could save on taxes because of a higher standard deduction and more generous thresholds for each bracket.
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U.S.
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Recall of Frigidaire minifridges sold at major retailers nears 1 million
Curtis International is recalling an additional 330,000 Frigidaire-brand minifridges to an existing recall after reports of the product catching fire.
AI videos of child sexual abuse hit record highs in 2025, report finds
Analysts from the U.K.-based group the Internet Watch Foundation detected 3,440 AI videos of child sexual abuse last year, a 26,362% increase from 2024.
Ex-Sen. Kyrsten Sinema sued for allegedly breaking up bodyguard's marriage
Matthew and Heather Ammel had "a good and loving marriage" before former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema interfered, Heather Ammel alleges in her lawsuit.
Woman's beloved dog disappears after her mysterious shooting
Bruno Rocuba claimed he shot his wife Melissa Rocuba accidentally, but then he started getting rid of all her belongings. "It's like he wanted her erased," said one of their daughters.
Charlie Kirk's accused killer asks judge to disqualify prosecutors
Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk's Sept.10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.
MoneyWatch
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Recall of Frigidaire minifridges sold at major retailers nears 1 million
Curtis International is recalling an additional 330,000 Frigidaire-brand minifridges to an existing recall after reports of the product catching fire.
AI videos of child sexual abuse hit record highs in 2025, report finds
Analysts from the U.K.-based group the Internet Watch Foundation detected 3,440 AI videos of child sexual abuse last year, a 26,362% increase from 2024.
ACA enrollment ends today in most states, as tax credit fix stalls
Some Americans are dropping their Affordable Care Act health plans after tax subsidies lapsed and their premiums spiked.
Mortgage rates fall to 3-year low, offering relief for homebuyers
The average interest rate on a typical mortgage dipped to 6.06%, the lowest level since September 2022, according to Freddie Mac.
Bankruptcy filings surged last year. Here's what's behind the rise
The increase in bankruptcy filings comes as Americans face a slate of economic pressures, from sticky inflation to elevated borrowing costs.
Politics
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CIA director meets with Venezuela's interim president in Caracas
CIA director John Ratcliffe delivered a message that the U.S. "looks forward to an improved working relationship" with Venezuela, a U.S. official told CBS News.
Pentagon making Stars and Stripes, independent military newspaper, "woke"-free
The Pentagon says it's changing the independent military newspaper Stars and Stripes so it no longer includes "woke distractions."
U.S. lawmakers seek to reassure Denmark amid White House push for Greenland
A bipartisan congressional delegation was to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials Friday to show support for Greenland's territorial integrity despite President Trump's push to acquire the island.
White House ballroom's original architect picked for commission reviewing project
James McCrery, once President Trump's handpicked architect for the White House ballroom, has been appointed to serve on a commission that will review the project he once led.
Muhammad Ali forever stamp the ultimate reversal of government's view of him
Postal officials have unveiled a forever stamp honoring Muhammad Ali. It marked the ultimate reversal of the government's view of the late boxing legend.
HealthWatch
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ACA enrollment ends today in most states, as tax credit fix stalls
Some Americans are dropping their Affordable Care Act health plans after tax subsidies lapsed and their premiums spiked.
Trump admin. reverses sudden cuts in mental health, addiction programs
The Trump administration reversed cuts to grants for mental health and addiction treatment programs that a CBS News source said were valued at around $1.9 billion.
Chicago mayor explains how he's tackling the city's life expectancy gap
In 2023, life expectancy in the Loop was 87.3 years, while in West Garfield Park, life expectancy was just 66.6 years, according to the city's Health Department.
Recalled "super greens" supplement linked to dozens of salmonella cases, CDC says
Illnesses linked to the New York-based Live it Up Super Greens brand powder were reported in 21 states from Aug. 22 to Dec. 30, 2025.
Wide variation found in funding for states' rural health proposals
Every state will receive at least $100 million annually from the federal Rural Health Transformation fund, but some scored millions more based on their plans and willingness to pass policies embracing MAHA initiatives.
World
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CIA director meets with Venezuela's interim president in Caracas
CIA director John Ratcliffe delivered a message that the U.S. "looks forward to an improved working relationship" with Venezuela, a U.S. official told CBS News.
U.S. lawmakers seek to reassure Denmark amid White House push for Greenland
A bipartisan congressional delegation was to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials Friday to show support for Greenland's territorial integrity despite President Trump's push to acquire the island.
Mummified cheetahs found in caves in Saudi Arabia
Researchers excavated seven mummies along with the bones of 54 other cheetahs from a site near the city of Arar.
Mexico seeks answers after, it says, citizen dies in ICE custody in Georgia
Mexican authorities were seeking details about what they say was the death of a Mexican citizen in an ICE detention facility in Georgia.
Gulf states pushing to avert U.S.-Iran conflict, official says
Several key U.S. allies in the Middle East have engaged in intensive diplomacy between Iran and the United States, aiming to stave off a military conflict, a Gulf official told CBS News.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Alicia Keys on "Hell's Kitchen" success
In an exclusive interview with "CBS Mornings," Alicia Keys reflects on "Hell's Kitchen's" Broadway run ending after nearly two years of sold-out performances. The musical is inspired by Keys' own experiences and will continue its national tour. She speaks about the decision for it to leave Broadway and how she has found a healthy relationship with success.
Behind Ron King's mission to protect donkeys
Oscar's Place, a donkey sanctuary in California, now has 210 donkeys and it has successfully resettled 189 others. Ron King, the co-founder and CEO of the sanctuary, helped to create the new docuseries "Donkey King," which follows the work he and volunteers do to rescue, rehabilitate and resettle the animals to protect them. He speaks to "CBS Mornings" about his mission and why he says donkeys are misunderstood.
Actor Timothy Busfield held without bond in New Mexico child sex abuse case
Another allegation against Busfield was reported to law enforcement the same day he turned himself in, according to a court filing.
Stars of "Sinners" talk about movie
"Sinners" stars Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton and Wunmi Mosaku talk to "CBS Mornings" about the movie's recent success at the Golden Globes, the atmosphere on set and what they learned through the process.
Ali Larter talks what's ahead in "Landman"
Actor Ali Larter plays Angela Harris, the ex-wife of an oilman played by Billy Bob Thornton in the Paramount+ series "Landman." She talks to "CBS Mornings" about the series, working with Thornton and how she landed her role.
Technology
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Technology
Mother of Musk child sues over deepfake images
Elon Musk is facing a lawsuit from Ashley St. Clair, with whom he shares a child, over deepfakes of her undressed made by his AI chatbot Grok. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson joins with analysis.
Verizon offers customers $20 credit for widespread outage
Verizon says it's giving a $20 credit to customers affected an outage that disrupted service across the U.S.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
New parental controls on YouTube kid accounts
YouTube is introducing new parental controls on youth accounts that it says could limit how long kinds spend scrolling. The latest parental controls will focus on YouTube Shorts, which utilizes a continuous scrolling video feed featuring videos three minutes and shorter. Parents of kid and teen account users are now able to enact time restrictions that will limit how long their children can scroll.
Details on Verizon cell phone outage
A widespread Verizon outage hit the U.S. on Wednesday, leaving thousands of customers without service. CBS News' Karen Hua has more.
Science
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Fossils found in cave shed light on where our species emerged
Fossilized bones and teeth dating to 773,000 years ago are providing a deeper understanding of the emergence of Homo sapiens.
The history and mystery of kissing
If you rang in the new year with a kiss, you took part in a tradition millions of years in the making. Scientists now say the origins of kissing go back much farther than most think. CBS News' Tina Kraus has more.
2025 was so hot it pushed Earth past critical climate change mark
2025 was the third hottest year on record and pushed Earth past a critical climate change mark, scientists say.
Major climate research center on Trump administration chopping block
The Trump administration intends to dismantle one of the world's leading climate research institutions, in Boulder, Colorado, over what it said were concerns about "climate alarmism."
Researchers capture video of rare polar bear adoption
The footage of a bear caring for an adopted cub was captured during the annual polar bear migration along the Western Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba.
Crime
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Crime
Minneapolis protests continue
Protests are still erupting in Minnesota as ICE raids continue. CBS News' Matt Gutman reports.
Shooting victim's last words caught on tape
A Pennsylvania man says a freak accident led to the fatal shooting of his wife in 2013. Years later, investigators found surveillance footage of her final moments that challenged his account. Anne-Marie Green reports for "48 Hours."
New documents detail Renee Good's injuries
New documents obtained by CBS News describe Renee Good's gunshot wounds after she was confronted by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This comes as more details emerge about other immigration-related encounters in the state. CBS News' Ian Lee reports.
Woman's beloved dog disappears after her mysterious shooting
Bruno Rocuba claimed he shot his wife Melissa Rocuba accidentally, but then he started getting rid of all her belongings. "It's like he wanted her erased," said one of their daughters.
FBI: 1 arrested after protesters smash into unmarked federal vehicles
The FBI says that a suspect is in custody after protests in north Minneapolis Wednesday evening culminated in vandalism and the apparent compromising of federal documents.
Space
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Space
Countdown to new lunar mission
NASA says it could be just weeks away from launching astronauts on a flight around the moon for the first time in more than half a century. Final preparations are underway at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the Artemis II moon rocket is expected to roll out to the launch pad on Saturday.
Astronauts return after mission cut short
A NASA crew splashed down off the coast of California on Thursday weeks earlier than scheduled due to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station dealing with a medical issue. Mark Strassmann reports on the unprecedented mission home.
Astronauts back on Earth after medical issue cut mission short
Four space station Crew 11 fliers splashed down off the Southern California coast at 3:41 a.m. ET, closing out a 167-day stay in space cut short by a medical issue.
Former NASA astronaut on ISS undocking
The members of SpaceX Crew-11 undocked from the International Space Station on Wednesday, beginning their journey back to Earth. The crew is leaving a month early after NASA announced that an unnamed team member experienced an undisclosed "medical concern." Clayton Anderson, a former NASA astronaut who spent time on the ISS, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
ISS astronauts prepare for early return
Crew-11 is preparing for an unprecedented early return to Earth over concerns for an astronaut's medical condition aboard the International Space Station. Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut and engineering professor at Columbia University, joins with more.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Poll on adults identifying as independents
A new Gallup poll shows more Americans are identifying as independents. CBS News' Fin Gómez has more.
Inside look at Buffalo Bills' new stadium
The "CBS Mornings" series "Mornings Kickoff" gives an exclusive inside look at the Buffalo Bills' new stadium. The team has already played its last game at the historic Highmark Stadium, which was the Bills' home for more than 50 years. Rob Marciano shows what makes the new stadium unique.
Alicia Keys on "Hell's Kitchen" success
In an exclusive interview with "CBS Mornings," Alicia Keys reflects on "Hell's Kitchen's" Broadway run ending after nearly two years of sold-out performances. The musical is inspired by Keys' own experiences and will continue its national tour. She speaks about the decision for it to leave Broadway and how she has found a healthy relationship with success.
Minneapolis protests continue
Protests are still erupting in Minnesota as ICE raids continue. CBS News' Matt Gutman reports.
More on Trump's meeting with Machado
President Trump met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday. CBS News' Nancy Cordes has more on the meeting.