Where Can I File For Free?
Have You Heard Of The Free File Alliance?
Created in 2001, the Free File Alliance, LLC is a group of tax software companies who entered an agreement with the IRS to provide free federal tax return electronic filing and free assistance with tax preparation.
These services are free to individuals who meet certain criteria such as income, age, active duty military, and those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (do I qualify?).
Who can I file with for 2020?
1. IRS Free File Program by turbotax
If you have an AGI of $39,000 or less, are active duty military with an AGI of $72,000 or less, or qualify for the EITC, you can use the IRS Free File Program by turbotax. turbotax has no age restrictions. Finally, it has no state of residency restrictions and offers free state filing.
2. FreeTaxUSA
This service also requires an AGI of $39,000 or less, active duty military with an AGI of $72,000 or less, and filers who qualify for the EITC. FreeTaxUSA has no age restrictions or state of residency restrictions, but you will pay a small fee for filing state returns.
3. TaxAct IRS Free File Edition
TaxAct requires an AGI of $63,000 or less and 56 or younger — or — you qualify for the EITC — or — are active duty military with an AGI of $72,000 or less. All states are included and state returns are free with a qualifying federal return.
4. 1040NOW Online Tax Preparation
If your AGI is $71,000 or less and you live in a qualifying state (not included are: AK, FL, IN, NV, TX, WA or WY) or you are active duty military with an AGI of $72,000 or less. 1040NOW has no age restrictions. State filing will cost you $17.95 and the following states are available: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV. Note: make sure that you use a qualifying link for this one.
If your AGI is $16,000 to $72,000 or you are active duty military with an AGI of $72,000 or less, OLT might be for you. This company has no age restrictions of state restrictions. And according to their site
“If you do not qualify: Your Federal return is free and each state tax return is just $9.95!!”
6. FileYourTaxes.com Free File
To qualify for this program you must be 65 or younger, have an AGI of $9,500 to $72,000 or be active duty military with an AGI under $72,000. IA, ID, ND, and VT state returns are free, all others are $29.95 per state.
7. Free 1040 Tax Return — free1040taxreturn.com
To qualify for this offer, your AGI must be $72,000 or less and you cannot live in the following states: AL, DC, FL, IN, LA, MT, NH, NM, NV, RI, SD, TN, TX or WA, or you are active duty military or reserve military with an AGI of $72,000 or less. They currently offer state returns for only CO, CT, HI, ID, KS, MS, OH, OR, UT. CA and NY are supposed to be available soon. State returns cost $19.95.
8. IRS Free File Program by ezTaxReturn
With no age restrictions, ezTaxReturn requires that you have an AGI of $72,000 or less, including active duty military and EITC qualifiers. Federal fiing is only available in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, VA, WI. State returns are $19.95 each.
9. TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer requires you to be 51 or younger — or — active duty military with an AGI of $72,000 or less — or — you qualify for the EITC. Free state returns are avalable for the following states: AR, AZ, DC, GA, IA, ID, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NY, OR, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV.
“If you don’t qualify to file for free, the cost to file a federal return is $17 and each state return is $32.”
If your AGI is above $72,000, you can use Free File Fillable Forms on irs.gov. This will allow you to fill out the forms online and e-file for free. More information on Free Fillable Forms here.
It is possible to file your taxes for free, but you will have to meet some criteria first.
