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Do Your Taxes and E-File for Free with Free File
WASHINGTON — All taxpayers have a fast, safe and free option when it comes to preparing their own federal taxes. It’s called Free File, and it’s available only at IRS.gov.
Free File offers brand-name tax software to people who earned $57,000 or less last year, which is 70 percent of all taxpayers. For those who earned more, there are free online fillable forms. Both options allow people to file returns electronically and use direct deposit, which is the fastest way to get refunds.
The nation’s leading tax software companies have partnered with the IRS to make their products available for free through IRS.gov. Each company sets its own eligibility criteria, generally based on income, state residency, age, military service or eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). There is also a software option that is available in Spanish for people who earned $30,000 or less.
Free File does the hard work for you. The software asks questions; you provide the answers. It picks the right forms, does the math and helps you find all the tax benefits for which you are eligible.
All participating Free File partners have been vetted and use the latest in security technology. Some Free File software providers also offer state tax returns for free or for a fee.
Free File Fillable Forms is the electronic version of IRS paper forms. It’s best for people experienced and comfortable preparing their own returns on paper. It does not support state tax returns.
Some Free File software products also are available in select free tax preparation sites operated by Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). Taxpayers can use VITA or TCE computers to access Free File, prepare their own state and federal returns with a trained and certified volunteer on stand-by to help and e-file – all for free.
To find a participating site near you, go to IRS.gov and search for “VITA” to find a self- preparation site location near you.
More than 36 million people have used Free File since it started in 2003. You can explore all your options at http://www.irs.gov/freefile.
Businesses, organizations, states or local governments may want to promote Free File to their employees, customers or clients with products from the IRS. Just go to http://www.freefile.irs.gov/partners to see what you can do to help. There are printable posters, a tax-day countdown widget for websites and prepared social media posts for your use.
IRS Presents:Ten Facts about IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance
Taxpayers looking for tax preparation assistance should look into IRS sponsored, community-based, volunteer tax return preparation programs. Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about these volunteer programs.
- The IRS sponsors both the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
- The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help to people who earn less than $49,000.
- The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offers free tax help to taxpayers who are 60 and older.
- The IRS trains community volunteers so they can help eligible taxpayers with several special credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for the Elderly.
- Many volunteer sites have language specialists to assist people with limited English skills.
- More than 12,000 free tax preparation sites are open nationwide this year as the IRS continues to expand its partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations performing these vital tax preparation services.
- As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program at over 5,000 sites nationwide during the filing season. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors provide assistance to low-to-moderate people, with special attention paid to those 60 and older.
- The military also partners with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Tax Council consists of the tax program coordinators for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Volunteers are trained and equipped to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits.
- Locations and hours of operation are often available through city information hotlines and local community organizations.
- Local volunteer tax preparation site information is also available by calling the IRS toll-free number 1-800-906-9887. To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 (888-AARPNOW) or visit www aarp.org.
Links:
Stacie's Tax Stuff 