Three Ways to e-File And Free Online Tax Filing
Now you can e-File your income tax return in one of three ways:
- You can pay a tax return preparer to prepare and e-File your return,
- You can use commercial software
- You can use a free service offered by the IRS called “Free File”
Many tax return preparation companies and software products also offer the options both online and offline to free file with their software. If you decide to use the IRS Free File, you will self prepare your tax return. If you are experienced with using tax forms then using Free File will be a breeze. However if you’ve never done that before you may have to spend some additional time to understand the process. One other comment, regarding using the Free File offered by each of the free file software providers like TurboTax, H&R Block, Complete Tax,etc.. each have their own eligibility requirements to use their free service, which is usually based on income, the state in which you live, and military status. Free File does not support state income tax returns, in this case you must access your state tax returns from your state website. The IRS Free File is a free, federal income tax preparation and electronic tax filing service that is designed to provide free online tax filing for taxpayers that have an Adjusted Gross Income(AGI) of $58,000 or less. This concept of IRS Free File was developed between the IRS and a group of tax software vendors to provide free online tax filing. As of this writing, 20 tax software companies make their free online tax filing tax services available for free. To access and to use this free online tax filing service you are required to click the IRS.gov website where you will be able freely access the application to enable you to free file. The Free File option for free online tax filing is located at the participating company’s website.
It’s Easy Use the Free Online Tax Filing Services with Just One Page to Fill in
If you are ready to e-file an d use these free online tax filing services then you should compute your tax status now, to see if you will receive an IRS refund or State refund. You can do this by simply entering your wage and tax information into one of the user friendly tax forms of any of the well known online tax preparation service cloud based companies.
A Short Review of Free Online Tax Filing
You must have Adjusted Gross Income(AGI) of $58,000 or less to qualify to use the free online tax filing service. You should be aware that each of the participating companies sets their own criteria to use their free online tax filing services. To be more efficient in your selection process you should use the IRS free tax software matching service, called “Free File: Help Me Find A Free File Company”. It’s a simple screening service that asks you questions and then matches your needs to the services offered by the 20 participating companies. After you complete the selection process you should review the participating company’s criteria before you decide.
Here is a screenshot of the types of questions being asked by the IRS when using the free online tax filing service
If after this process or after a few minutes using the free online tax filing service at the participating company’s website you are not happy with your selection, just log off and find another participating company.The same approach should be used if you do not like the look, feel and use of the software. It is as easy as logging on and then logging off, if you are not happy with the company you selected. State returns are generally not for free and you will be charged to use their services.Besides the free online tax filing for the federal income tax return, some of these companies may offer free state filings. You may notice that as you answer more questions that you may find out that you no longer qualify for the free or the less expensive advertised federal income tax return prices. Most of the these companies charge you extra fees, if you have tax questions that require a human answer,or need your state income tax return prepared. You should use the web based software to use the Free File and not select the downloaded tax file for purchase. Stick to the web based software and do not use any software that requires installation. Here is a screenshot showing the 1040EZ form and is an example of type of free online tax filing services your will be filling out online from the IRS website. It’s just like the paper form.
Click the image to see the full screen
Track your Refund
You can track your refund with three easy choices. To track your refund you can use the refund tracking option offered by the participating company, or you can click to the IRS website and use their tool called “Where’s MY refund” or you use the new app for the I-phone released from the IRS. There are several IRS tracking tools being sold at the App Store,so make sure you use the free App called “IRS2Go”. The App gives you access to free electronic tax updates and has limited functionality and tracks your refund. By the way, if you e-file, your refund should take about 10 days to receive. If you are ready to use the free online tax filing service consider reading my review of 4 well known participating companies at my website. If you are also ready to self-prepare your income tax return, or want to hire a CPA or tax preparer for a complex tax form, please start early and get your refund working for you, and don’t wait until early April.
e-File Now with One of these National Companies and Click Below!