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You are here: Home / Tax Agency News / Do Your Federal Taxes for Free with IRS Free File

Do Your Federal Taxes for Free with IRS Free File

Issue Number:    IR-2012-8 WASHINGTON — IRS Free File, which has been making taxes a little less taxing for a decade, opens today, Jan. 17. More than 33 million returns have been filed through Free File since its debut.

Everyone can use Free File, either the brand-name software offered by IRS’ commercial partners or the online fillable forms. Individuals or families with 2011 adjusted gross incomes of $57,000 or less can use Free File software. Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, has no income restrictions.

“Free File can save you time and money. You can prepare and e-file your tax return at no charge. And, the software helps you find the tax breaks you are due,” said Diane Fox, director, Free File program. “Free File helps make taxes less taxing.”

Free File software is a product of a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, LLC. The Alliance is a consortium of approximately 20 tax software providers who make versions of their free-file products available exclusively at www.irs.gov/freefile.

All Free File members must meet certain security requirements and use the latest in encryption technology to protect taxpayers’ information. Seventy percent of taxpayers – 100 million people – are eligible for Free File software. It’s perfect for first-time filers, families looking to save money or older Americans adept at using the Internet.

People with an adjusted gross income of $57,000 or less are eligible for at least one software product if not more. Each of the Free File software providers sets their own eligibility requirements, usually based on qualifiers such as income, state residency, age or military status.

The easiest way to locate a software provider is to use the online “get help” tool atwww.irs.gov/freefile that, with a little of a taxpayer’s information such as income, age and state residency, can identify matching free-file products. Or, taxpayers can review all providers and their offers. Some software providers also offer state income tax preparation for free or for a fee.

Also, the IRS is working with select volunteer tax sites such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly. There are 200 locations nationwide that have set up Free File kiosks where taxpayers can use computers to prepare their own returns with Free File.

For taxpayers whose incomes are more than $57,000, there’s Free File Fillable Forms, available only at the IRS website. This program is best for taxpayers experienced in preparing their own federal tax returns. For people who prefer doing their taxes the old fashioned way – by paper – this is an electronic alternative.

Free File Fillable Forms performs some math calculations and provides links to some IRS publications. It does not use the familiar question-and-answer format used by software. Taxpayers can e-file the forms for free.  It also does not support state income tax returns.

Taxpayers must access the free-file products through IRS.gov or authorized kiosks to avoid any charges for preparing or e-filing a federal tax return.

Once taxpayers have selected a Free File software product, they will be directed away from IRS.gov to the partner’s site to prepare and e-file their returns. The IRS does not retain any personal information from the taxpayers.

The IRS also encourages businesses, state and local governments, charities and churches to inform their employees, clients and customers about Free File.

The California Board of Accountancy has a web page entitled “How to Select a CPA”.

The firm of Alan F. Kingsley, CPA is licensed by the California State Board of Public Accountancy.

Tax Links

  • AICPA Tax Information
  • California Employment Development Department
  • California Guide to Reporting Out-of-State Purchases
  • California State Board of Equalization
  • California Tax Law
  • Duke Law Library – Intro to Tax Research
  • Employer Registration – California Employment Development Department
  • Employer Registration – Internal Revenue Service [for Employer Identification Numbers also]
  • Franchise Tax Board
  • Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free
  • Government Printing Office
  • Internal Revenue Code
  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Tax News
  • U.S. Social Security Administration
  • U.S. Treasury Regulations

Financial Planning Links

  • Federal Reserve – The Beige Book
  • Federal Trade Commission – Free Annual Credit Reports
  • Financial Engines
  • Investment University
  • Moneydance Software
  • Winning the Loser's Game

General Interest Links

  • *Podcast — IRS WEB2Go Smartphone App
  • *YouTube Video — IRS IRS2G0 Smartphone App
  • AcousticVibes – audio recording services
  • Alan's Flute and Music Pages
  • California Board of Accountancy
  • Kingsley2D – photos and more
  • Susan Kingsley, Realtor
  • Ted Kingsley's personal site
  • Wikipedia Article About CPAs

IRS Circular 230 Disclosure

31 CFR Part 10, section 10.35, requires me to notify you that any tax advice in this electronic forum (including any attachments, postings, pages or links) was not intended or written by me to be used, and cannot be used by you (or any other taxpayer), for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matter addressed herein.
  1. Please send any feedback, questions or comments.
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IRS Circular 230 Disclosure

31 CFR Part 10, section 10.35, requires me to notify you that any tax advice in this electronic forum (including any attachments, postings, pages or links) was not intended or written by me to be used, and cannot be used by you (or any other taxpayer), for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matter addressed herein.
The California Board of Accountancy has a "Consumer Assistance Booklet" describing such topics as "How Do I Select a CPA" and "What Services are Provided by CPAs?" It's available here in pdf format.

The firm of Alan F. Kingsley, CPA is licensed by the California State Board of Public Accountancy.

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Tax Links

  • AICPA Tax Information
  • California Employment Development Department
  • California Guide to Reporting Out-of-State Purchases
  • California State Board of Equalization
  • California Tax Law
  • Duke Law Library – Intro to Tax Research
  • Employer Registration – California Employment Development Department
  • Employer Registration – Internal Revenue Service [for Employer Identification Numbers also]
  • Franchise Tax Board
  • Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free
  • Government Printing Office
  • Internal Revenue Code
  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Tax News
  • U.S. Social Security Administration
  • U.S. Treasury Regulations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Understanding the Real Estate Tax Deduction
  • Famous Tax Quotations
  • Sitemap
  • Tax Agency News
  • IRS Announces 2012 Standard Mileage Rates, Most Rates Are the Same as in July
  • IRS e-file Launches Today; Most Taxpayers Can File Immediately
  • IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on New Basis Reporting Requirement
  • Alan’s “Free/Busy” Schedule
  • Windows 8 Now or Later?
  • New California College Access Tax Credit
  • Security Awareness
  • What’s New for Filing 2017 Tax Returns [CA Franchise Tax Board]
  • How Taxpayers Across the Country Can Have their Taxes Prepared for Free

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