Seven times faster than the national average1, tax filing through Chime delivers members’ maximum refund2 with zero filing fees
Today, Chime®, The #1 Most Loved Banking App3, announced that members can now file taxes for free4 directly from the Chime app to simplify tax season. Following a successful pilot program in 2024, this new in-app feature is available for all new and existing Chime members and offers a truly streamlined e-filing experience with no unexpected paywalls and no filing fees. Members can file their federal and state taxes directly through the Chime app, saving time and money.
“Americans are frustrated by the tax filing industry, which is notorious for high fees and deceptive marketing. They’re tired of bait-and-switch services that seem free but ultimately charge users a fee to get their refunds,” said Chime’s Chief Product Officer, Madhu Muthukumar. “Getting your money back from the government shouldn't cost you money. By providing completely free in-app tax filing, we’re empowering Americans to unlock their financial progress confidently, making tax season easier and more rewarding.”
This feature comes as the average cost of filing a basic federal 1040 tax return was $150 for non-business taxpayers in 20235. According to the Tax Foundation, total tax compliance costs—including fees, lost productivity, and out-of-pocket expenses—are estimated to cost American taxpayers over $546 billion annually, representing 1.9% of the U.S. GDP6.
When Chime members e-file their taxes through Chime in partnership with april and Column Tax, filing is completely free. Plus, members can get their federal tax refund up to 6 days early7 when they choose to direct deposit it with Chime. 2023 was the first tax year Chime made in-app tax filing available to members, and here’s what they had to say:
“Completing my 2023 return [through] Chime was so much easier than any previous tax experience I’ve had. Not only are the steps explained in a way that makes sense, but they also already have the deposit info making it a win-win.”
- Anne G., Fla.,
“Filing my taxes [through] Chime was super fast and free! They gave very clear steps to follow which made it quick and painless lol. I found it easier than TurboTax which before this year I used for over 10 years. I’ll for sure be using Chime next year!”
- Haley, Okla.,
Real members. Paid testimonials.
Key features of Chime’s in-app tax filing include:
- 100% free to file: Members can file federal and state taxes for free in the Chime app.
- Refund up to 6 days early: Members can get their federal tax refund up to 6 days early7 when they direct deposit with Chime
-
100% accurate calculations8: If a user pays an IRS penalty because of a calculation error made by Chime's tax filing partners april or Column Tax, they will reimburse up to $10,000.
Max refund guaranteed2: If a member finds they’re eligible for a higher return elsewhere, they will be reimbursed the difference. - File 7x faster than the national average: Chime members can typically file in under 24 min, under the national average of 3 hours.
- Switch easily: Simply upload last tax season’s return to get a head start
Since its founding, Chime has been recognized for providing innovative, easy-to-understand financial service products that address the liquidity and credit needs of everyday people. For more information and to file taxes for free, please visit chime.com/taxes. For those not currently a Chime member but would like to file through the Chime app, becoming a member is easy and can take a matter of minutes. Visit www.chime.com to learn more and sign up.
About Chime
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank, founded on the premise that basic banking services should be helpful, easy, and free. Chime builds products that allow the company to succeed when its members do. That’s why Chime doesn’t rely on consumer fees such as overdraft, monthly service, or minimum balance fees. Chime is proud to be The Most Loved Banking App® and one of the most downloaded banking apps in America9. Member deposits are FDIC-insured through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, up to applicable limits10. For additional information, please visit www.chime.com.
Tax e-file services provided by April Tax Solutions Inc. (“april”) or Column Tax, Inc. (“Column Tax”).
These tax filing offers are not endorsed or offered by our partners, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.
Chime does not provide tax advice. Please consult your accountant for tailored tax guidance.
1 Based on comparison of historic filing through Chime to IRS average form completion reported for 2023 non-business taxpayers.
2 Maximum refund guarantee is provided by april or Column Tax. If you use april's service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws. See here for details. If you use Column Tax’s service, Column Tax will reimburse you for up to $250 if you are able to pay less federal or state income tax or receive a larger federal or state income tax return by using another tax return preparation provider. Eligibility requirements apply. See terms for details.
3 Chime is recommended by more of its users than that of any brand per 2023 Qualtrics NPS score. THE #1 MOST LOVED BANKING APP is a Trademark of Chime Financial, Inc.
4 There are no fees required to use this product. Chime does not require you to deposit your refund into your Chime Account to qualify for free tax filing. Certain costs may be incurred if you decide to obtain other optional financial products offered in relation to your tax filing. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may impose penalties or other charges depending on your personal tax situation. If the april tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, april will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. See april terms for details. If interest and/or a penalty is imposed by the IRS as a result of a computational error by Column Tax, you may be entitled to up to $10,000 reimbursement by Column Tax. See Column Tax terms for details.
5 IRS 1040 and 1040-SR Instructions Tax Year 2023, page 108 for non-business taxpayers, as of November 8, 2024: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
6 “Tax Foundation, Tax Complexity Now Costs the US Economy Over $546 Billion Annually”
7 Chime does not guarantee timing of refund. Six day refund estimate is based on 2023 tax year filing data. Refund timing estimates are dependent upon timing of complete tax return submission and when the IRS submits your refund.
8 If the april tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the IRS that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, april will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000. See april terms for details.
If interest and/or a penalty is imposed by the IRS as a result of a computational error by Column Tax, you may be entitled to up to $10,000 reimbursement by Column Tax. See Column Tax terms for details.
9 Information from Statista “Leading Banking apps in the United States in 2023, by downloads” as of June 30, 2024: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1381325/us-leading-banking-apps-by-downloads/#:~:text=With%20over%2010%20million%20downloads,app%20in%20the%20United%20States.
10 Chime® is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply.
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