Free Online Tax Filing

Step 1. How to Get Started: From the "Free File Home – Your link to Free Online Filing" page, click on the " Start Now" button at the bottom of the page. You will go to an IRS.gov Free File page where you may start your search for a Free File company.

Step 2. Determine Your Eligibility: You must first determine your eligibility for using a particular company. Each company has a simple description of their eligibility criteria for using their free service.

Step 3. Link to Free File Company Service: After choosing a company, click on the company's name, which sends you directly to the company's web site (you will be notified you are leaving IRS.gov and being sent to a commercial web site). You may then begin the preparation of your tax return.

You have two options for selecting a Free File company on IRS.gov:

A. Review the complete list of companies and their descriptions of services. Scan the listing of Free File companies on the IRS.gov page after clicking on the "Start Now" button on the Free File Home page. Upon determining eligibility for a free service, you may link directly to the company's web site by clicking on the company's name. Upon doing so, you will be notified that you are leaving the IRS.gov web site and entering the company's web site. You will be located on the company's web site and you may want to start the process of preparing your federal income tax return. You will also find a description of a company's service under "more details" on the IRS.gov free file page.

B. Alternatively, if you are having trouble choosing a company by scanning the list of Free File companies, you may want to use the interactive help tool, "Guide Me To A Company" to narrow down the possible companies offering free preparation and e-filing for you. Click on the button "Guide Me To A Company" to start searching for the companies that may provide free services for you.

If you are uncertain about your answers for the questions contained, you may want to view the complete list of companies and their services. The accuracy of the results is dependent on the accuracy of the information you provide the "Guide Me To A Company" tool.

Step 4. You may exceed eligibility criteria after selecting a company

You may determine after you start preparing your tax return with a particular company you are not eligible for the company's Free File service and you may be subject to a fee.

If this notification occurs you have the following options:

1. Return back to the IRS' Free File homepage and review the list of companies and their services and select another company you may qualify for;

2. Continue completing your return but take note of the fee displayed on the company's website; or

3. Visit the IRS e-file Partners for Taxpayers web page to view additional low-cost e-file opportunities

For example, if you select a company whose free services are provided to individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $26,000 or less and, based on your tax data, the company determines your AGI exceeds the $26,000 limit, you will be notified you may be subject to a fee. It is important you understand each of the company's eligibility criteria before selecting a company.

Step 5. Prepare and e-file Your Federal Income Tax Return: The company's software prepares and e-files your income tax returns using proprietary processes and systems. Electronically filed returns are transmitted by the company to the IRS using the established e-file system. An acknowledgment file, notifying you that the return has been either accepted or rejected, is sent via email from the company.

Labels: free online tax filing, free tax filing, free tax return filing

The easiest and quickest way to file a return and obtain a refund, is to do this electronically--a practice already used by more than half of all taxpayers. The conventional way of Free IRS Efile has been opposed by online tax filing systems in recent times. Filing online will allow you to get your Tax Refund in as little as 10 days.

The process of filing taxes online is simple and trouble free. The customer first prepares his tax papers personally or approaches professional tax consultants to do so on his behalf. After the tax papers have been prepared they can be effortlessly filed through an IRS e-file provider. Filing can be done online as well, but if an individual is not sure about the mechanics, it is better to seek professional guidance. Usually most tax experts will be licensed IRS e-file providers. The relevant documents are signed and retained by the customer for future reference. The IRS e-file provider then files the returns electronically on the behalf of the customers. Next, the IRS e-file provider sends the customer an acknowledgement mentioning the current status of the filing process.

Online filing eliminates the need for going through tiring steps of rushing to the local IRS offices and post offices and waiting in never ending queues to post the papers before the due date. Office hopping has been completely eliminated. The only thing required is a reliable computer and Internet connection. Mistakes and errors can be corrected online in comparatively less time. Online tax filing has reduced the time gap prior to receiving Tax Refund and papers can be printed to maintain precise records for future reference. Online tax filing also facilitates tax payments using credit cards. It has reduced back office processing time considerably.

Join the millions of people who have discovered how easy, online Tax Filling can be. The cost will be much less, your tax forms will get to the IRS with no hand-written errors, and you'll get your Fast Tax Refund in as little as 10 days.

Internet technology has revolutionized the way things works and has changed the lifestyle of people completely. The Internet provides a great deal of information for people requiring knowledge on any topic. The conventional way of filing taxes with the IRS has free online income tax filing systems in recent times. Free Online tax filing systems have virtually eliminated the delay that used to be associated with filing papers with government bodies.

Free Online Income Filing eliminates the need for going through tiring steps of rushing to the local IRS offices and post offices and waiting in never ending queues to post the papers before the due date. Office hopping has been completely eliminated. The only thing required is a reliable computer and Internet connection. Mistakes and errors can be corrected online in comparatively less time. Online Income Tax Filling has reduced the time gap prior to receiving Rapid Tax Refund and papers can be printed to maintain precise records for future reference. Online tax filing also facilitates tax payments using credit cards. It has reduced back office processing time considerably.

The process of filing taxes online is simple and trouble free. The customer first prepares his tax papers personally or approaches professional tax consultants to do so on his behalf. After the tax papers have been prepared they can be effortlessly filed through an IRS e-file provider. Filing can be done online as well, but if an individual is not sure about the mechanics, it is better to seek professional guidance. Usually most tax experts will be licensed IRS e-file providers. The relevant documents are signed and retained by the customer for future reference. The IRS e-file provider then files the returns electronically on the behalf of the customers. Next, the IRS e-file provider sends the customer an acknowledgement mentioning the current status of the filing process.

Online income tax filing is generally free if individuals file tax return themselves. However, IRS e-file providers may charge a commission for their expertise and services. Law does not specify the amount of commission that can be charged.

What is Free File?
Free File is a free federal Income Tax Preperation and electronic filing program for eligible taxpayers, developed through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. You may access free commercial online tax preparation and electronic filing services through www.irs.gov. Eligible taxpayers may prepare and file their federal income tax return with Efile Tax Return using commercial online software provided by the Free File Alliance companies - not the IRS. Since Free File's debut in 2003, more than 15.4 million returns have been filed through the program saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Who is eligible to use Free File?
Free File is only available to taxpayers who have a 2008 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $52,000 or less. Individual company offers may be limited to specific states and include other criteria. Carefully review the Free File offer criteria before selecting the company. Each participating software company sets its own eligibility requirements.

Is Free File available in Spanish?
Yes.

Is the Free File program really free?
Is the Free File program really free?
Yes. The Free File program is free for qualifying taxpayers to prepare and electronically file their federal 1040ez income taxes. Taxpayers must enter through the IRS.gov website to use Free File. By going directly to a company's website and not through the IRS.gov Free File pages, you may be charged a fee. While fees may apply to state return preparation and e-filing, some companies offer free state return services for free. You are under no obligation to buy any of the company's other products or services.

What happens if I don't qualify for Free File or if I find my income is more than $52,000?
If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) exceeds $52,000, then you will not be eligible to file your Free Federal Tax Preparation . In this case, you may continue completing your return, but you will be charged a fee for preparation. If you are not eligible for the company's free service, you have the following options:
1. Return back to the IRS' Free File homepage and review the list of companies and their services and select another company you may qualify for;
2. Choose a company to complete your return but take note of the fee displayed on the company's website;

May I file my state income tax return for free?
Some participating Free File Alliance companies do offer free state tax return preparation and e-filing services. Check the company's Free File home page to see if the company offers free state income tax return preparation and e-filing services.

Other companies charge a fee for state tax return preparation and e-filing. You may find information about the fees for state return preparation and e-filing by looking for the state fees on the company's Free File home page.

Will all the companies offer preparation and e-filing services for my state income tax return?
No. While some companies that you select to prepare your federal return may support your state income tax return, some may not. Before you select a company, you may want to use the "Guide Me To A Company" tool on IRS.gov to determine which companies offer state tax preparation and e-filing services for your state. See below for more details about the "Guide Me To A Company" tool.

Before starting your federal return preparation, you may also want to review the company's Free File website to verify whether the company supports your state income tax return. Look for the state link on the company's website. Some companies may include information letting you know that your state tax return will be available soon. You may want to check the company's website to see which states support non-resident state income tax forms and part-year state income tax forms. If you have any questions or want the latest information about available state tax forms for your state, check the company's website or contact the company for more information.

How do I get started?
To use Free File, you must click from the IRS.gov Web site link to one of the tax software company websites. Once you have reached the “Free File Home – Your link to Free Online Filing” page, you will find helpful information to assist you with filing your federal return online. Click the “ Start Now” button to review the list of tax software companies and select one that best suits your needs. Once you select a company link from the list, you will be notified you are leaving the IRS.gov Web site and you will be taken directly to that company's Web site to begin preparation of your federal income tax return. Remember, you must access the company through the IRS.gov website to use Free File

Where do I go for Customer Service help?
Where do I go for Customer Service help or who may I contact if I am having difficulty navigating the Free File Alliance company website? What if the company charges me a fee that I think is an error?

Check the Free File Alliance company’s web site for customer service options such as online assistance, or an e-mail address for technical and/or tax law assistance. Free File Alliance companies are required to display their customer service options. The companies offer free e-mail support to answer your questions. Specific questions about your individual income tax return submission should be directed to the tax software company that is offering you the service.

What are the benefits of Using Free File?
Using Free File is fast, easy, and safe. Other Free File benefits include:

• Services that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;


• Faster refunds by e-filing;


• A paperless process using electronic signatures by using the self-select PIN;


• Software programs that are constantly updated to give you the most up to date information to complete your return accurately;


• Acknowledgement of return receipt;


• Variety of free services to choose from.

Use the self-select PIN?
The self-select PIN is a paperless process using electronic signatures. This method allows you to electronically sign your e-filed return by selecting a five-digit PIN. The five-digit PIN can be any five numbers except all zeros and eliminates the requirement for mailing to the IRS, the Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return. When the self-select PIN is chosen, no signature documents are required to be mailed to the IRS making the process truly paperless.

May I use Free File if I need to file an extension?
Yes, you may use Free File if you file for an extension. Many of the companies offer extensions for free. You may e-file your extension using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
File Form 4868 by April 17, 2008. For Tax Year 2008 returns, taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 17, 2008, to file their 2008 returns and pay any taxes due. Fiscal year taxpayers, file Form 4868 by the regular due date of the return.

Does Free File use secure technologies?
Yes, Free File uses secure technologies. The Free File companies’ proprietary software is approved by IRS. All Free File companies obtain third-party privacy and security certificates. Taxpayers enter tax information in a secure session and the Free File companies transmit tax returns using secure technologies. Taxpayers will receive an email from the Free File company stating whether the return has been accepted or rejected by the IRS.

In addition, the Free File tax software companies must comply with all federal rules governing e-filing and regulations covering taxpayer privacy. The companies may not disclose or use tax return information for purposes other than tax return preparation without the knowing, informed and voluntary consent of the taxpayer. These companies are also subject to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Privacy and Safeguards Rules.

If taxpayers choose to use the “Guide Me To A Company” tool on IRS.gov to help find a Free File company, information will remain entirely anonymous and will not be retained by the IRS.

Is Free File easy to use?
Yes. Free File is easy to use. If you are not able to find a company that you think you may qualify for, you may want to use the "Guide Me To A Company", an interactive tool. If you have trouble choosing a company after scanning the list of companies, you may use the Guide Me To A Company" tool to narrow down your search. Of those who have used Free File, 94% rated the program as "easy to use" and 97% said they would recommend it to a friend or family member.

Is this Internet filing?
Yes. The free services are provided via the Internet. Taxpayers enter data and calculations are performed online. Completed tax returns will be sent electronically from the company to the IRS through the existing e-file system using secure technologies. An acknowledgment file, notifying the taxpayer the return has been accepted or rejected will be sent via e-mail from the Free File Alliance company.

May I use Free File without a computer?
No. Free File is an electronic program that uses the internet. If you don't have access to a computer at home or work consider using a computer at your local library, college, university, library, or senior community center. The IRS continues to work with existing community-based coalitions to expand computer access to taxpayers without home computers. The IRS also supports many volunteers during the filing season through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).

What information will the IRS collect or retain on me from using Free File?
The information you provide through the “Guide Me To A Company” button is only used to determine the free services for which you may qualify. The information is entirely anonymous and will not be retained or used for any determination of tax liability. IRS policy prohibits the use of permanent Internet cookies. In order to assist you or to identify you to make certain you are the correct recipient of information you requested, we may use "temporary" or "session" cookies. These are deleted when your Internet visit ends. No information about you is maintained as a result of a temporary or session cookie.

May a Free File Alliance company share my data with anyone besides the IRS?
No. As part of the agreement, the Free File Alliance companies must adhere to the strict privacy standards of the IRS. Only with your permission and in accordance with Treasury regulations may the company disclose your tax return information. Tax Filing Definitions for Company Free File Offers

To determine eligibility for free file services, you may need to reference the following information:

Age and your spouse's age (if applicable)
Use your age as of December 31, 2008.