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!)
{ 4 comments }
