The Internal Revenue Service and the Free File Alliance today announced the launch of Free File, which makes brand-name tax software products and electronic filing available to most taxpayers in Washington for free.
Free File software can help taxpayers with tax preparation, including the health care law that will affect almost everyone. Washington taxpayers can use Free File software immediately but e-filed returns will not be transmitted to the IRS until Tuesday, January 20, when the filing season officially begins.
Free File is available only at IRS.gov/FreeFile, thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of 14 leading tax software companies.
About 70 percent of all federal tax returns come in below the $60,000 income level, says IRS Spokesman David Tucker II. Millions can use it to file a federal income tax return for free.
Nationally, more than 3.2 million people used Free File last year with nearly 76,000 coming from Washington. Since 2003, more than 43 million people have used Free File, saving $1.3 billion based on a conservative $30-fee estimate.
You dont have to be an expert on taxes or the new health care law. Free File software can help walk you through the rules and help you get it right, said John A. Koskinen, IRS Commissioner. For 12 years, this partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance had helped taxpayers save both money and time. The real winner in this partnership has been the nations taxpayers.
Taxpayers who earned $60,000 or less last year are eligible to choose from among 14 software products. For those who earned more, they are still eligible for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms. This more basic Free File option, which is best for people comfortable preparing their own tax return, will be available January 20.
Free File offers easy-to-use products that ask questions and supplies answers. The software will find the right forms, find the right tax credits and deductions and even do the math
Free File also can help taxpayers with the new health care requirements. Almost everyone will need to do something new when filing a tax return this year. For each month in 2014, you and everyone on your return must:
Report health care coverage, or
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IRS free file launches