How To: File Taxes for Free

Fri Feb 9, 2007 4:34PM EST

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In response to readers' questions about free tax-preparation tools and software, I've pulled together this list. All seem best for taxpayers with straightforward, uncomplicated tax returns. A few have been recommended by readers, but I have yet to try them. If you have worked with any of them, let us know the good and the bad.

The Internal Revenue Service deems that taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $52,000 or less in 2006 can file taxes at no charge. That means 70 percent of taxpayers (95 million) can file their taxes for free. Here's a full list of IRS-approved services you can use for e-filing.

All of the following services are on that list and some basic versions are available for free for others taxpayers, too.

TaxACT Standard - Free for filling out and e-filing federal tax forms, either on web-based forms or by downloading forms onto your computer. The free service says it includes over-the-phone and web technical support, but it does not include state tax forms. You'll pay $12.95 for those.

TaxSlayer - Free for active duty military personnel. And only $9.95 to prepare federal and state tax returns online.

H&R Block TaxCut Free File - For taxpayers age 50 and under with an adjusted gross income of $52,000.

TurboTax Freedom Edition - Free for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $28,500; taxpayers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and have an and AGI of $38,348; and active duty military members with an AGI of $52,000.

CompleteTax - Free for taxpayers with an AGI of $29,000.

For more info, check out this about.com page, which has reviews on free and for-fee tax-preparation tools and software.

Related:

Tick, Tick, Tick: Tax Time Approaches
A Closer Look at TurboTax 

 

 

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Comments on How To: File Taxes for Free

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  • 26 Posted by somethingblonde on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used TaxAct Online for mine this year, it was very nice doing them for free, compared to my usual H & R Block charge of $50. It does ask a lot of questions, but I really feel that this site is helpful (it has a lot of tips, even for free) and easy to get around. So if you do the easy forms and don't have to do any state taxes, go to www.taxactonline.com. Oh! I almost forgot what I thought was the best part of this site (other than being free), the more in depth you fill out on your taxes it keeps a running tally of how much your return will be. So you know what questions you answer affect your return amount! It was cool. Good luck!

  • 27 Posted by speedtats6977 on Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:00PM EST Report Abuse

    H&R Block's service isn't free either. It's 9.95, but they tell you it's free until all the way at the end where they require a credit card number before you can submit your return. Apparently the FILING is free, but the use of their application isn't. That's misleading at best.

  • 28 Posted by colonel_klink510 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you have insurance through State Farm, Turbo Tax Deluxe is free for both Federal and State! You have to activate your account online and then follow the links.

  • 29 Posted by mandy2lu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why not let all taxpayers file for free? Why should I have to pay to file if I make over $52,000? Ridiculous.

  • 30 Posted by jfogarty25 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I did my taxes through http://www.eztaxreturn.com and it was tremendous. It took about 30 minutes and the refund will be put into your bank account in less than 2 weeks. You don't have to buy or install any software and they walk you through the process step by step. I would highly recommend it. It cost $35 for both Federal and state but if you have a coupon its only $30. Here is a coupon code ER1632. Just enter it when you go to pay and it will save you $5.00. Happy filing!

  • 31 Posted by superjack3618 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, I'm one of the lucky ones who filed for FREE! Say it with me kids, FREE! I filed with tax preparers from AARP. The wait was well worth it and the volunteers were friendly and best of all I saved $239.00. That's how much it cost me last year with Jackson Hewitt! Good Luck.

  • 32 Posted by mygirlsandi@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    We have used TaxSlayer for the last 3 years and have really a good experience. The format is easy to follow and they have tech support to help you out. The first 2 years we didn't pay to have our returns filed since my husband was Active Duty Navy. This year we paid $9.95 to file state and Federal Income Taxes together. Their Direct Deposit is wonderful and you can receive the money you are owed within 7 days. I would recommend this company to everyone!!!

  • 34 Posted by virgectrs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is this figure per person or combined as a household?

  • 35 Posted by willie16149 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wish they could have posted this last December BEFORE the tax season began, I could have saved over 50 bucks, I'm a poor college student who filed early because I needed the money, NICE GOING YAHOO!!!!!!!!

  • 36 Posted by willie16149 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wish they could have posted this last December BEFORE the tax season began, I could have saved over 50 bucks, I'm a poor college student who filed early because I needed the money, NICE GOING YAHOO!!!!!!!!

  • 37 Posted by woodstocktc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    We do our own taxes every year for free and just mail them in. A little old fashioned, but if you have a high school education, you can do it too! Jake, you're a creep.

  • 38 Posted by aggieinusa on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    What an idea.... This should be posted in December 2006 the latest. I have spent 69$ to file mine.

  • 39 Posted by redheadwatcher on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been using TaxAct for five years now. I originally started with the freeware version, then purchased it in subsequent years so I could file state taxes also. I am an accountant, and find it to be a very complete package. Price of $19.95 includes a free federal filing, and the state filing is $7.95. Hint: use your credit card to pay for the state filing. If you have them take the $7.95 out of your return, an intermediary gets involved and they take another $25.00! Best feature for repeat users - auto fill-in of all your data from the previous year return.

  • 40 Posted by jewels2a on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have used the TaxAct software online from their website for about 3-4 years now to file my taxes. I usually pay the $15.95 option to file both the Federal and State returns (which I think is the Deluxe version)electronically. I have had no problems this far with any of their software and I find it very easy to use and to follow the instructions, and they do have a help section with the version I use that you can consult, if you do happen to get stuck and have questions. Once you have entered all your information and went through all the questions, then it takes you through an alert section, so if there is anything they notice that the IRS might flag or not accept your return due to, they will alert you to this before you file, and give you a chance to make changes. You can also print out a copy of both returns and review them before you file and to keep for your records. Once you have filed, they will send you updates via email to let you know the status of your return - one when they receive it and another one when the IRS has approved it. You can also save your information for the following year and when you start your returns the next year it will automatically import your basic information, like name and address, dependents info, etc. for you so you don't have to re-enter all the information each year. It does give you the option to make changes thoough if something has changed from the previous year. All in all, I have been very happy using the TaxAct website to file my taxes & I would recommend TaxAct to anyone!

  • 41 Posted by chensley368 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I need to file a tax amendment. How do I do this?

  • 42 Posted by mhaastage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    H&R Block Tax Cut free file is very easy to use. I dont know alot about taxes and finished in about an hour.

  • 43 Posted by hawkeye_fan90 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with the people who are wondering why this wasn't posted 3 weeks (or more) ago. You'd think Ms. Devlin, being a mother and all, would be on top of things like this and wouldn't wait for people to ask for a list, especially since every adult has to file taxes. Assuming she's at least of average intelligence, she should have known that W2s come in the mail on or before Feb. 1 and that many people, usually parents and those who do not make tons of money, need their taxes back ASAP and want to file as soon as they get their W2s. Maybe she needs to concentrate more on her children and forget about trying to be a writer. It makes me wonder what she's overlooking when it comes to parenting. Stay at home and raise your children lady and let the articles be written by someone else, please.

  • 44 Posted by tricia_92240 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    Article Helpful? Well since I could have USED the FREE filing and I have already filed I guess you could say NO IT WAS NOT HELPFUL SINCE I HAD TO PAID TO FILE MY TAXES! Thanks for posting late. This should have been posted before Jan 31st so EVERYONE COULD HAVE USED IT!

  • 45 Posted by tim33_909 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    There is a reason they posted this after most of us filed...it is a conspiracy..they are all working together to take our money.

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