File taxes 100% free. Max out your refund, aka your free-fund.^®

We partner with april to help you file your taxes for free directly through the Chime app. Yes, it’s actually free for both federal and state. Plus, get your federal tax refund up to 5 days early when you direct deposit it with Chime.

File with someone else last year? No problem. Just upload last year’s form and the rest is handled for you.

If you’re not a Chime member already, enroll today so you don’t have to pay to file your taxes this season.

At Chime, we want banking services to be easy, accessible, and most of all, free. And now we’ve made tax filing free when you file through Chime (in partnership with april to power the experience).

So far, billions in tax refunds have been deposited with Chime.⁸

File through Chime for a better way to file your taxes: 

• Truly 100% free to file, including for federal and state

• Accurate calculations guaranteed to get you your max refund. Don’t settle for less than what you’re owed. 

• Get your federal tax refund up to 5 days earlier when you direct deposit it with Chime. 

If you’re not a Chime member already, enroll today so you can enjoy 100% free tax filing. 

You can start filing through Chime starting early January. 

Remember—the earlier your file, the earlier you can get your refund. File in early January to be one of the first in line when the IRS starts processing returns.

The tax filing deadline is April 15, unless you file for an extension. Make sure to file before the deadline to avoid IRS penalties. 

To file your taxes smoothly and get your refund faster, have these ready: 

• Personal info: Social Security number (or ITIN), current address, and bank details for direct deposit.

  Income forms:

  • W-2 for employer income

  • 1099 for freelance, gig, or contract work

  • 1099-INT for bank interest (including Chime)

  • Other 1099s for unemployment, investments, or retirement income

• Deductions & credits: Receipts for education, child care, donations, or mortgage interest

• Last year’s return (optional, but helpful)

For a full checklist, visit Chime’s Tax Documents Checklist.

Filing an extension for federal taxes doesn’t automatically extend to your state tax deadline. Here’s the breakdown:

Methods for filing a federal tax extension:

• Pay online: Make a payment through an IRS online payment option like IRS Direct Pay, or by debit or credit card, and indicate that the payment is for an extension. This automatically grants you an extension without needing to file a separate form.

• Use tax software or a tax professional: Tax software programs and tax professionals can electronically file an extension for you.

• Mail Form 4868: Print and mail a paper copy of Form 4868 to the IRS by the tax deadline.

For your state extension:

• Check your state’s tax authority to determine its specific extension rules.

Not sure if you should file one? Read more at our guide to tax extensions.

If you miss the filing deadline and owe taxes, the IRS charges penalties and interest until you file and pay. The failure-to-file penalty is usually 0.5% of unpaid taxes per month, up to 25%.

If you’re owed a refund, there’s no penalty—you just won’t get your refund until you file. Even if you can’t pay in full, file as soon as possible to reduce penalties or set up a payment plan.

Learn more in our guide to filing late taxes.

A tax refund check is money the government gives you when you’ve paid more in taxes than you actually owed for the year.

For four common scenarios that can lead to receiving a tax refund and whether you qualify for certain tax credits, explore more here.

The IRS typically issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. If you direct deposit your federal tax refund through Chime, we make it available to you even sooner—up to 5 days early.

You can usually expect your tax refund within about three weeks if you e-file and choose direct deposit. Paper returns can take four weeks or more. To track your refund, use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool or the IRS2Go app.

Just about everything. Salary, self-employed, freelance, gig work income, unemployment income, crypto or stock sales, and itemized deductions:

• W-2 income: Standard income from an employer.

• Self-employed income: Including freelance and gig-economy work.

• Unemployment income: Benefits received during periods of unemployment.

• Retirement income: Distributions from retirement plans.

• Social Security income: Income received from Social Security benefits.

• Investment income: Income from stock and cryptocurrency sales.

• Bank account interest: If you earned over $10 in interest, Chime will provide a Form 1099-INT.

And remember it’s 100% free to file. Always.