How to File Your Taxes for Free with Step

Filing taxes for the first time? Or still not sure what you're doing? Look, we get it. Taxes are confusing, and the last thing you want is to pay $80 for software that promised it was "free."

That’s not going to happen to you here. You can file your taxes completely free through the Step app this year, thanks to our partnership with april.

Why File Through Step?

It's free. Unlike TurboTax or H&R Block that charge you $60-120 when you try to submit, filing through Step and april costs $0. Federal and state.

You don't need to be a tax expert. The system asks simple yes/no questions instead of expecting you to understand tax jargon.

Everything happens on your phone. No downloading software, no printing forms, no mailing anything.

Faster refunds. E-filing with direct deposit means money in your account in 1-3 weeks instead of waiting months for a paper check.

Your data stays private. Step won't see your tax info. april uses IRS-approved security to keep everything safe.

Will This Work for You?

april handles most common tax situations. If you worked a regular W-2 job, whether at one place or three different places, you're covered. If you did gig work through DoorDash, Uber, or freelancing, april supports that too. Students with part-time jobs and side hustles with 1099 income are all good to go.

Want to check your situation in more depth? For more info about the different tax situations that april covers, check out the april Help Center here.

What You Need Before Starting

You'll need your W-2 forms from all employers (these arrive by January 31), your Social Security number, and your bank account info for direct deposit.

If you freelanced or did gig work, grab your 1099 forms. Students should have their 1098-T (tuition statement) and 1098-E (student loan interest) if applicable. That student loan interest form is worth having because you can deduct up to $2,500.

If you earned interest on savings, you may need to declare it - your financial institution will provide you with a form if this applies. Investing? You'll need to declare gains/losses there too: check your investing software for relevant 1099 forms.

Important: Don't file until you have ALL your forms. If you worked three jobs, wait for all three W-2s. Filing twice because you forgot something is a massive headache. Just make sure to file well before the April 15, 2026 deadline.

Are You Eligible?

You need to be 18 or older to file your taxes with Step, have a verified Step account, and have a verified email address.

If you use Apple or Google sign-in for Step, you'll need to add and verify a regular email first.

To update your email, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner > tap Account Information > scroll down and tap Email then follow the prompts to verify. It takes about 2 minutes.

How to File: Step by Step

1. Find Tax Filing in Step

Open your Step app, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner > tap Account Information > scroll down to Account management > tap Tax Filing.

2. Create Your april Account

You'll be guided through setting up your april account using your Step information.

3. Answer the Questions

april will ask you straightforward questions like "Did you work as an employee?" and "Did you do freelance work?" Just answer honestly. If you get confused, tap the "?" icon for explanations.

4. Enter Your Income

You'll type in info from your W-2: employer name, wages from Box 1, and federal tax withheld from Box 2. If you have 1099s, you'll enter the payer name and compensation amount. Multiple forms? Just repeat the process for each one.

5. Claim Your Deductions

This is where you save money. If you paid student loan interest, you can deduct up to $2,500. If you're in school, tuition payments might qualify for education credits. Charitable donations count too. The standard deduction ($14,600 for single filers) is applied automatically.

6. Review Everything

Before submitting, triple-check that your name matches your Social Security card exactly, your SSN is correct, all your income is listed, and your bank info is right.

7. Submit

Click submit and save your confirmation email. That's it!

What Happens Next?

If you're getting a refund, expect it in 1-3 weeks with direct deposit. Track it on the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool.

If you owe money, don't panic. You have until April 15, 2026 to pay. You can pay the full amount on the IRS website, set up a payment plan, or pay what you can now and arrange the rest later.

Contact april at support@getapril.com for payment guidance.

When Things Go Wrong

If your return gets rejected, common reasons include someone already claiming you as a dependent, an SSN typo, or an issue with your SSN being used elsewhere. april will tell you the exact rejection code and how to fix it.

Missing a W-2 by February? Contact your employer's HR department. They're legally required to send it by January 31.

If you forgot to include income, you'll need to file an amended return. It's easier to just wait until you have everything before filing the first time.

Tips That Actually Matter

File EARLY, not on April 14th. You'll avoid the stress, and if anything goes wrong, you have time to fix it. Plus, earlier filing means earlier refund.

Compare your W-2 to your last paystub from December. They should match your year-to-date totals.

Screenshot your confirmation page when you submit. It's proof you filed.

Triple-check your bank info. Seriously, check it three times.

Save your tax documents for 3 years. The IRS can audit you up to 3 years back.

Common Questions

Do I need to file if I barely made any money? If taxes were withheld from your paychecks, yes. You'll get that money back as a refund.

What if my parents claim me as a dependent? If you're over 18 and you had income: yes, you should still file. You just won't claim the standard deduction yourself.

Is this as secure as other tax software? Yes. april is an IRS-authorized e-file provider with the same security standards.

What if I need actual tax advice? The Step team can help with issues with your Step app, but if you have questions about your tax situation you should contact an expert at april directly.

Ready to File?

Open your Step app, tap Profile, and select Tax Filing. Spend 30-45 minutes working through the questions, submit, and you're done. Your refund will be in your account in a few weeks.

Need help?

Step app issues: Contact Step support via in-app chat or at hello@step.com

Tax questions: Contact april support at support@getapril.com

Tax filing services provided by April Tax Solutions Inc. The Step Visa Card and Account is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC. Pursuant to license by Visa.