File Your Own Taxes · about 10.5 hours + one software lab
A short, step-by-step path for people who want to prepare their own federal and state return with confidence. You learn how a return works using a practice return with a known answer, then rebuild that same return in the software you plan to use, then do your own. About 10.5 hours of core lessons plus one 2–3 hour software lab, and you can finish it in a few evenings.
How it's taught
Start with your situation
A two-minute situation check flags which lessons matter most for you (a side gig, a new baby, a retirement account), so you spend time where your return needs it.
Practice return first
Each lesson is built around one of four practice households. You prepare a practice return with an answer key before you touch your own, so mistakes cost nothing.
See it in the software
Every concept is tied to the interview question that asks for it, so the software's questions make sense when you meet them.
Short lessons, quick checks
Lessons take 5–10 minutes. Each module ends with a short check you must pass (85%) to move on, and you can retake it as often as you need.
Checklists you keep
You leave with a document checklist, a before-you-file review and an after-you-file tracker that you can reuse every year.
Module S1 preview
Get a professional if…
Free help you may qualify for
IRS Free File (guided software)
Free federal filing through IRS partner companies for AGI of $89,000 or less in the 2026 filing season. Start at IRS.gov/FreeFile so you get the free offer.
Free File Fillable Forms
Electronic versions of the paper forms for any income level. Little guidance, limited math, and no state return, so it suits people who know the forms.
VITA and TCE
Free preparation by IRS-certified volunteers, generally for people earning about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities and limited-English speakers. TCE focuses on people 60 and older.
MilTax
Free tax software and support from the Department of Defense for eligible service members and their families, through Military OneSource.
7 modules · 10.5 hours
Open the course| # | Module | What you learn | Hours | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | Is doing it yourself right for you? | What DIY handles well; situations that call for a professional; free help: IRS Free File, VITA, TCE and MilTax; spotting a trustworthy paid preparer | 1 | Situation check |
| S2 | Gather your documents and accounts | W-2, the 1099 family, SSA-1099, 1098, 1098-T, 1098-E, 1095-A; last year's return and AGI; IRS Online Account, IP PIN, bank details for direct deposit | 1.5 | Build your document checklist |
| S3 | How your return works | The tax formula from income to refund; filing status; dependents; standard vs itemized deduction; deductions vs credits; withholding and why you get a refund or owe | 2 | Read a completed practice return |
| S4 | Reporting your income | Wages, interest and dividends, unemployment, Social Security and retirement, gig and side income (1099-NEC, 1099-K, Schedule C basics, self-employment tax), selling stock or crypto | 2 | Income check on two practice returns |
| S5 | Deductions and credits | Child tax credit, EITC, child care, education credits, premium tax credit (1095-A), the new Schedule 1-A deductions (tips, overtime, car loan interest, seniors), charitable gifts, HSA and IRA; common over-claiming mistakes | 2 | Credits check on the Okafor return |
| S6 | Review, file and pay | A before-you-file review; e-file and identity checks; direct deposit (paper refund checks are being phased out); paying a balance, payment plans; extensions; your state return | 1 | Before-you-file review |
| S7 | After you file | Where's My Refund and refund timing; rejected e-files and how to fix them; IRS letters; amending with Form 1040-X; how long to keep records; scams; adjusting next year's withholding (Form W-4) | 1 | After-you-file scenarios |
S1
Module
Is doing it yourself right for you?
What you learn
What DIY handles well; situations that call for a professional; free help: IRS Free File, VITA, TCE and MilTax; spotting a trustworthy paid preparer
Hours
1
Check
Situation check
S2
Module
Gather your documents and accounts
What you learn
W-2, the 1099 family, SSA-1099, 1098, 1098-T, 1098-E, 1095-A; last year's return and AGI; IRS Online Account, IP PIN, bank details for direct deposit
Hours
1.5
Check
Build your document checklist
S3
Module
How your return works
What you learn
The tax formula from income to refund; filing status; dependents; standard vs itemized deduction; deductions vs credits; withholding and why you get a refund or owe
Hours
2
Check
Read a completed practice return
S4
Module
Reporting your income
What you learn
Wages, interest and dividends, unemployment, Social Security and retirement, gig and side income (1099-NEC, 1099-K, Schedule C basics, self-employment tax), selling stock or crypto
Hours
2
Check
Income check on two practice returns
S5
Module
Deductions and credits
What you learn
Child tax credit, EITC, child care, education credits, premium tax credit (1095-A), the new Schedule 1-A deductions (tips, overtime, car loan interest, seniors), charitable gifts, HSA and IRA; common over-claiming mistakes
Hours
2
Check
Credits check on the Okafor return
S6
Module
Review, file and pay
What you learn
A before-you-file review; e-file and identity checks; direct deposit (paper refund checks are being phased out); paying a balance, payment plans; extensions; your state return
Hours
1
Check
Before-you-file review
S7
Module
After you file
What you learn
Where's My Refund and refund timing; rejected e-files and how to fix them; IRS letters; amending with Form 1040-X; how long to keep records; scams; adjusting next year's withholding (Form W-4)
Hours
1
Check
After-you-file scenarios
| What you learn | Hours | Check | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 Is doing it yourself right for you? | What DIY handles well; situations that call for a professional; free help: IRS Free File, VITA, TCE and MilTax; spotting a trustworthy paid preparer | 1 | Situation check |
| S2 Gather your documents and accounts | W-2, the 1099 family, SSA-1099, 1098, 1098-T, 1098-E, 1095-A; last year's return and AGI; IRS Online Account, IP PIN, bank details for direct deposit | 1.5 | Build your document checklist |
| S3 How your return works | The tax formula from income to refund; filing status; dependents; standard vs itemized deduction; deductions vs credits; withholding and why you get a refund or owe | 2 | Read a completed practice return |
| S4 Reporting your income | Wages, interest and dividends, unemployment, Social Security and retirement, gig and side income (1099-NEC, 1099-K, Schedule C basics, self-employment tax), selling stock or crypto | 2 | Income check on two practice returns |
| S5 Deductions and credits | Child tax credit, EITC, child care, education credits, premium tax credit (1095-A), the new Schedule 1-A deductions (tips, overtime, car loan interest, seniors), charitable gifts, HSA and IRA; common over-claiming mistakes | 2 | Credits check on the Okafor return |
| S6 Review, file and pay | A before-you-file review; e-file and identity checks; direct deposit (paper refund checks are being phased out); paying a balance, payment plans; extensions; your state return | 1 | Before-you-file review |
| S7 After you file | Where's My Refund and refund timing; rejected e-files and how to fix them; IRS letters; amending with Form 1040-X; how long to keep records; scams; adjusting next year's withholding (Form W-4) | 1 | After-you-file scenarios |
S1 Is doing it yourself right for you?
What you learn
What DIY handles well; situations that call for a professional; free help: IRS Free File, VITA, TCE and MilTax; spotting a trustworthy paid preparer
Hours
1
Check
Situation check
S2 Gather your documents and accounts
What you learn
W-2, the 1099 family, SSA-1099, 1098, 1098-T, 1098-E, 1095-A; last year's return and AGI; IRS Online Account, IP PIN, bank details for direct deposit
Hours
1.5
Check
Build your document checklist
S3 How your return works
What you learn
The tax formula from income to refund; filing status; dependents; standard vs itemized deduction; deductions vs credits; withholding and why you get a refund or owe
Hours
2
Check
Read a completed practice return
S4 Reporting your income
What you learn
Wages, interest and dividends, unemployment, Social Security and retirement, gig and side income (1099-NEC, 1099-K, Schedule C basics, self-employment tax), selling stock or crypto
Hours
2
Check
Income check on two practice returns
S5 Deductions and credits
What you learn
Child tax credit, EITC, child care, education credits, premium tax credit (1095-A), the new Schedule 1-A deductions (tips, overtime, car loan interest, seniors), charitable gifts, HSA and IRA; common over-claiming mistakes
Hours
2
Check
Credits check on the Okafor return
S6 Review, file and pay
What you learn
A before-you-file review; e-file and identity checks; direct deposit (paper refund checks are being phased out); paying a balance, payment plans; extensions; your state return
Hours
1
Check
Before-you-file review
S7 After you file
What you learn
Where's My Refund and refund timing; rejected e-files and how to fix them; IRS letters; amending with Form 1040-X; how long to keep records; scams; adjusting next year's withholding (Form W-4)
Hours
1
Check
After-you-file scenarios
Each module ends with a short check. Score 85% or higher to unlock the next one; you can retake it as often as you need.
You prepare these returns, with answer keys, before your own.
Maya
Single, one W-2 job, renting, paying student loan interest
The Okafor family
Married filing jointly, two children, child care costs, checking EITC eligibility
Luis
W-2 job plus rideshare and delivery income reported on a Form 1099-K
Ruth
Age 67, Social Security, an IRA distribution and the new senior deduction
After the core lessons you choose one software lab. You re-enter a practice return you already prepared, so you know the right answer and can focus on how the software asks for it. Then you prepare your own return. Free tiers and prices change every season, so check what your situation qualifies for before you start; the academy refreshes these labs each fall.
Set up safely
Create or sign in to your account with multi-factor authentication, and confirm you are on the real site.
Bring last year forward
Import last year's return or enter your prior-year AGI, which the IRS uses to confirm your identity when you e-file.
Enter the practice return
Rebuild a practice return you already prepared, using imports where the software offers them.
Match it to the key
Compare the software's Form 1040 with the answer key line by line and find any difference before moving on.
Review screens
Read the software's error checks and review messages, and learn what each one is asking you to fix.
Your own return
Start your real return, use your before-you-file review, then e-file and save a PDF copy.
Capstone and certificate
Prepare one practice household's return in your chosen software so it matches the answer key line by line, then complete the before-you-file review on your own return. Graduates earn the Confident Self-Filer Certificate.
Want to do this for others?
This path teaches you to prepare your own return. It is not training to prepare returns for other people for pay; that requires a PTIN and the professional path, which the self-preparer path is a natural on-ramp to.
See the professional path →Tell us which track interests you and we'll be in touch.
Lambo Tax Preparation Academy