Nope, I didn’t make that statistic up. The IRS claims that 98 million taxpayers – or about 70% – are eligible to e-file their 2008 federal tax returns for free through their FreeFile program.
It works like this: twenty vendors have partnered with the IRS to provide free e-filing services for taxpayers who meet certain criteria. If not otherwise specified here on the IRS site, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be $56,000 or less.
(Psst – tres compañías tienen capacidades españolas!)
And this year, the IRS is throwing you another bone. They’re offering a free e-file option for all taxpayers, regardless of your income level. Can you tell that they really, really want you to e-file?
If you file a form 1040, 1040A or 1040-EZ and want to e-file without buying tax prep software, the IRS offers a new service called FreeFile Fillable Forms. This program allows you to use fill-in forms and file online. The forms include “basic calculation capability” but that’s basically all of the guidance that you get. Unlike software programs that walk you through the process, you have to know what you’re doing (in other words, if your return is terribly complicated, save yourself the agita and hire some help). But if you can manage it, this is full on fill-in forms with the option to file electronically for free. Yeah, for free. One more time, for free.
So stop complaining about fees and the cost of stamps! You have options. For free.
To access either program, FreeFile or FreeFile Fillable Forms, click on over to the IRS web site.
(Free!)
1. I’m no Spanish scholar, but I think “empresas” would be more acceptable, if not easier to pronounce, than “compañías” (I mean, you almost have to force your tongue through your hard palate and into your nasal cavity to pronounce an “ñ” followed by a close vowel).
2. I like the fillable forms addition this year – perfect for us cheap do-it-yourselfers. But, I have yet to be able to register successfully, despite trying several different browsers on both Mac and PC platforms. Also, while most of the commonly used forms are available right now, some common forms will not be available for another month yet. Hopefully this project will really sprout legs – some states are already offering a similar service.
3. On the IRS page, the Tax$imple entry doesn’t mention an AGI limit. However, the company’s website indicates a maximum AGI of $56,000 for the free service.
Personally, I’m sticking with TaxACT for this year. Maybe I’ll try the fillable forms option next year if things are less complicated (moving, multiple states, various credits).
Vinny,
1, That’s what I get for trying out my college level Spanish on the blog… Google translate suggests “tres empresas tienen la capacidad de hacerlo en español.”
2, Hmm, that’s interesting. I’ll have to check it out. I wonder what kind of compatibility issues there are…
3, It’s my understanding that any official vendor (of the 20 listed with IRS) that does not include a specific limit or other restrictions is held to the $56,000 limit.
1. You need to understand these services are off any Federal (IRS) website. You enter all your most valuable information, soc. numbers, incomes,investments,etc. to 3rd party web sites. If you feel comfortable sending all your most valuable information to unknown web servers,unknown people,non IRS types,who are able to peek at all your information — For Free–,before its sent to IRS…your choice.
2. IRS needs to set up so the taxpayer does not have to pay anyone to file taxes. We deserve to have an IRS secure site to file our income tax returns . Its supposedly a mandatory function imposed on us by the Federal Government, and taxpayers should not have to pay to file. For taxpayers its just more lost income. What an abomination for us. Good for tax filing business’s though.
3. If you can’t tell,I believe the ways we have to file our returns,and ensure were not going to get in trouble, is very unfair. It should not cost a cent extra to get it done. Any way you chose to do,mail or online should not cost anyone. What happened to our Republic?