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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  • 6 Posted by ivegot2angels on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    My husband is active duty military, last year we filed with Turbotax, this year with H&R Block's, I really like them both, Turbo tax asks more questions to make sure they get everything, you have to manually go in and check everything with H&R Blocks, but they both have audit support and free help on the phone (which I used this year, but not last) all in all I loved both and would use both again, though my favorite remains TurboTax

  • 7 Posted by jax_jobs_now on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used the free on-line tax fileing service offered by H&R Block. Recommended for its ease of use and concise instructions.

  • 8 Posted by jake_csj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    freetaxusa.com is a good one. I am an accountant so I end of doing taxes for many of my friends and relatives, and this is the site I use. It's free and easy to navigate through.

  • 9 Posted by texas_shammer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've used the TaxSlayer site the entire time I was in the military. It's easy to use, self explanitory and best of all free. It will work for those that want to file that aren't free and the rates vary based on what kind of return you need

  • 10 Posted by voinsanity on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Obviously you fell under the 75% and couldn't wait to send off your tax return. Instead of posting complaints you could have found out about this with the same amount of effort. It's not like this was a huge secret. Just because you already filed your taxes doesn't mean everybody else did.

  • 11 Posted by mneuberger2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have used Complete Tax and even though I had to pay a fee, it was reasonable and the site is very easy to use. Since I used them last year also they were able to import my info from last year saving me even more time.

  • 12 Posted by clifton_stanford on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    You may not want to exclude H&R Block. I just filed, (a few weeks ago) and I am under the 52,000 mark, and it cost me 29.50 to file online with H&R block, and took a lot longer to get my return verses that year.

  • 13 Posted by ccrebath on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have used Taxact Standard at www.taxact.com to file my federal taxes for the last 3 years. It is free, very easy to use, and has worked out well for me. As long as you don't mind the little advertisements trying to get you to upgrade to the "deluxe" version (didn't bother me). I definately recommend this site.

  • 14 Posted by franny0419 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used H&R Block Tax Cut to file my federal return for free and would recommend it. I also went directly to my state's (IL) income tax website and e-filed my state return for free too!!!

  • 15 Posted by michelle.balla on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just filed my taxes online for the first time last night - yep...I procrastinate! It was scary because it was my first time filing electronically. The federal tax return was way easier than the state tax return. But I am told that refunds come quicker when you file electronically...I hope so! I need a vacation!

  • 16 Posted by isickgurl420 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used H&R Block Tax Cut Free File. It was easy to use. I recommend this for first time filers (on your own).

  • 17 Posted by jacobslisa@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I started using the Turbo Tax Program since 2005. I used it again this year because it easy. It guides you step-by-step. You can either e-file or mail it. It will allow you tp print it out for you to keep a copy for future reference. It has been good to me for the last two years. LJ, in California

  • 18 Posted by dalderm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't have any problem paying TurboTax $30-$40 for their software, what I do have an issue with is the amount they request for online filing. The cost is $14.95 for both federal and state. I have not been able to justify the cost of electronic filing and am stuck with printing out the forms and walking down to the post office.

  • 19 Posted by joealliegro on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Does this mean that if your adjusted gross income was greater than $52,000 in 2006 you have to use a paid service? Can I still use a software and do it by myself? Does it increase the chances of being audited?

  • 20 Posted by ravensnest13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    In the state of California, you can file your State Taxes right on the their website for FREE! www.ftb.ca.gov

  • 21 Posted by jessetat2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    Have used Taxslayer last year and this year for both of my children. It is so easy to use. Ask questions to get you through all the forms and credits. Has a side hint column to list deductions etc. Easy to use. Not too expensive for those that can not file free.

  • 22 Posted by moon.letters on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Taxslayer.com is easy and cheap. One of my favorite filing services. They even have real time customer service(either through email chatting or a toll free number)! Recommended.

  • 23 Posted by sbmarseille on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    How To: File Taxes for Free Filing *is* free. I do it by hand every year and it costs nothing.

  • 24 Posted by smwhitfield on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    anyone know of free federal and state sites? h&r block charges 29.95 for state.

  • 25 Posted by bykerphil on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    This story is nonsense. There no charge for filing your taxes for anyone. Never has been and never will be. This article was about tax file "Preparation". If the government started charging us to file in addition to robbing us of the taxes, there might be a revolt.

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