Nino vs IRS Free File
IRS Free File lets you prepare and file your own federal return at no cost, through partner software if your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less, or with Free File Fillable Forms at any income. IRS Direct File is not available for the 2026 season. Nino’s Advisor plans give you a CPA who prepares and files your returns, plans your taxes all year, and builds your financial plan, for one flat annual fee.
Compare our AI assistant, planning, and tax modules
| Feature | Nino | IRS Free File |
|---|---|---|
| Who prepares your return | A CPA on Nino’s team prepares and files federal and state returns on Advisor plans | You prepare it in partner software or Fillable Forms; VITA volunteers help qualifying filers |
| Pricing | Flat annual fee from $3,600, covering filing, tax planning, and a financial plan | $0 through partner software for AGI of $89,000 or less; Fillable Forms are free at any income |
| Year-round tax help | Year-round tax planning with the same team that files your return | No ongoing help; Fillable Forms include no guidance |
| Financial planning | A personalized financial plan built in your first two weeks | Not offered |
| State returns | Federal and state filing on every Advisor plan | Some partners include a free state return; Fillable Forms are federal only |
| Crypto | Built by the team behind CoinTracker; our CPA works from your CoinTracker tax reports | Depends on the partner software; with Fillable Forms you enter each form yourself |
Why choose Nino over IRS Free File
A CPA prepares your return
IRS Free File is self-prepared: you enter everything in partner software or on the forms yourself. On every Nino Advisor plan, a CPA prepares and files your federal and state returns, and nothing is filed until you approve it.
Built for returns Free File leaves to you
Equity compensation, rentals, crypto, and multi-state income are where a free form leaves the hard parts to you. Our CPA handles them, and Nino’s fee also covers tax planning all year.
A financial plan comes with your taxes
Nino’s Advisor plans build your financial plan in your first two weeks and keep it current with quarterly check-ins, so decisions like selling stock are planned with the tax effect in view.
How IRS Free File compares
It costs nothing
If your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less and your return is straightforward, IRS Free File partner software can file your federal return for free, and some partners include a state return. VITA and TCE volunteers also prepare basic returns for free for qualifying filers.
Pricing
What you pay and what’s included.
- Nino
- Software starts at $20/month, with a 7-day free trial and no credit card required. Software and services start at $3,600/year and include our Ultra software tier and a CPA and CFP team.
- IRS Free File
- IRS Free File partner software is free for filers with an adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less; each partner sets its own age, income, and state rules. Free File Fillable Forms are free at any income but offer no guidance, cover the federal return only, and do not support amended returns. Checked October 5, 2026; confirm on IRS.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Weighing more options than these two? Read our guide to TurboTax alternatives .
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