File Your Taxes for Free in 2017 – Fox Business
It's not just false advertising. You really can file your taxes for free. Thanks to tools from the IRS, tax preparers, and the time of nearly 100,000 volunteers, there are a number of free ways to to file your taxes online (and offline) in 2017.But where you should go depends on your income, age, tax status, and the complexity of your federal and state tax filings.
Here are several ways to file your taxes that are truly and completely free to use.
Filers with adjusted gross incomes of $64,000 or less can make use of the IRS's list of free filing software linked from its website. The IRS has arranged for free use of 12 popular preparing services that include familiar names such as TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct, subject to some simple limitations.
In general, filers must meet one of the following criteria to use the IRS Free File:
Continue Reading Below
ADVERTISEMENT
Importantly, not all services are created equal. Some offer completely free federal and state returns, while some preparers only offer free federal returns.Save time by using theLook Up Tool to find the best completely free software for you based on your income, age, and the state in which you reside.
If you earn more than the $64,000 limit, the IRS has a solution. ItsFillable Forms toolallows you to complete common tax forms including the 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ electronically (see all the forms here). It's completely free, the only caveat being that it won't help you with your state taxes, and it assumes you have some familiarity with paper tax forms.
Image source: Getty Images.
In the 2015 tax year, volunteers around the country helped file more than 3.7 million tax returns through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
VITA provides free tax help to people who earn less than $54,000, or who have disabilities or limited English speaking abilities. Elderly filers can get help through the TCE program, which is specifically designed for people who are 60 years of age or older. TCE specializes in tax issues related to retirement, pensions, Social Security, or other retirement-age tax concerns, making it a great resource for new and longtime retirees.
See if there is a VITA or TCE site near you by entering your ZIP code on the IRS website. (Note: VITA and TCE tax centers usually begin popping up around the country closer to the filing deadline, which is April 18, 2017.)
The site known for free access to your credit score wants to help you prepare your taxes, too. The 2016 tax year will be the program's first year, but CreditKarma has promised to file individual tax returns completely free, offering full federal and state tax forms without income limitations.
The only downside is that it won't work for everyone, particularly those with trickier tax filings. You can't use it to file multiple state returns, or to file your state taxes independently of your federal taxes, for example. Here's a complete list of tax forms it supports, and forms or situations it doesn't support.
Given this is the company's first play at the tax preparation game, it's too early to say exactly what its service will look like. Much like its free credit score product, CreditKarma hopes that offering a free tax solution will enable it to collect information to better target its users with advertisements for credit cards or mortgages, for example. That's a pretty small price to pay for a free way to file a state and federal tax return electronically.
The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.
The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Read the original here:
File Your Taxes for Free in 2017 - Fox Business
- H&R Block vs. TurboTax vs. Jackson Hewitt: Whats the Difference? - Investopedia - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- All the Ways You Can File for Free This Year, From TurboTax to FreeTaxUSA - CNET - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Best free video editing software of 2025: Top picks for every project and skill-level - TechRadar - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- 500,000 U.S. Lawyers Now Have Free Access to Trust Software through Bar Partnerships with Smokeball - LawSites - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Best Tax Software 2025: TurboTax Leads the Pack, but These Options May Work Better for You - CNET - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Photopea Is a Free Photoshop Alternative That Runs in the Browser - WIRED - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Freedom Reimagined: Meet the Free Software Foundations 40th Anniversary Logo - It's FOSS News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Free Software Foundation Marking 40 Years Old With A New Logo - Phoronix - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Coros smartwatches just got a big free software update here are the best new features - MSN - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Best personal finance software of 2025 - TechRadar - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Free Mac Email Apps That Stand Out in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide - PUNE.NEWS - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Free-software warriors celebrate landmark case that enforced GNU LGPL - The Register - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- This free software is topping the Steam charts, but its not a game - Notebookcheck.net - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- IRS offering free tax filing services to millions starting this week - KSWO - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- The best Android antivirus apps in 2025 - Tom's Guide - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- GIMP vs Krita: which free software is best for you? - Creative Bloq - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Mensla MS-3, free waveshaper Synthesizer plugin for macOS and Windows - Synth Anatomy - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Tesla fixes TPMS issue on nearly 700,000 vehicles with free software update - Drive Tesla Canada - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- STRACKALINE TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE FREE SOFTWARE ACCESS AT THE 2025 PGA SHOW (BOOTH 2808) - The Golf Wire - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- The Pixel 6 just got a free software upgrade that makes it my favorite budget Android phone - ZDNet - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Google just gave older Pixel phones a free software upgrade that you once could only wish for - ZDNet - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Free AI-Powered Software for Radiology Impressions Available from Scriptor Software - Imaging Technology News - December 8th, 2024 [December 8th, 2024]
- Maryland State Bar Members Now Get Free Trust Accounting Software in Deal with Smokeball - LawSites - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- 7 free and open-source tools that rival the best creative software - XDA Developers - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Google Drive Full? Gift Yourself More Digital Storage This Holiday Season - CNET - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Tired of controller lock-in? Mixxx is a free DJ alternative; 2.4.2 out now - Create Digital Music - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- 5 of the best free software for data recovery on Windows - XDA Developers - November 23rd, 2024 [November 23rd, 2024]
- AAVAA Hands-Free Accessibility Devices Now Compatible with Apple Software - The Hearing Review - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- The best graphic design software - Creative Bloq - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- VMware makes Workstation and Fusion free for everyone - BleepingComputer - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Trimble Expands Access to Advanced Construction Project Management Capabilities with Free Version of ProjectSight Software - StreetInsider.com - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- The best free video editing software: how to cut clips without the cost - Creative Bloq - November 8th, 2024 [November 8th, 2024]
- Best Free Invoice And Billing Software Of 2024 - Forbes - November 8th, 2024 [November 8th, 2024]
- Amazfit just dropped a massive free software update and these new features are coming to your smartwatch - Tom's Guide - November 5th, 2024 [November 5th, 2024]
- The Free Software Foundation Finally Has AI / Machine Learning Apps On Their Radar - Phoronix - October 24th, 2024 [October 24th, 2024]
- Intuit asked us to delete part of this Decoder episode - The Verge - October 24th, 2024 [October 24th, 2024]
- "100% Free" GNU Boot Discovers Again They Have Been Shipping Non-Free Code - Phoronix - October 24th, 2024 [October 24th, 2024]
- The best antivirus software in 2024 for PC - TechRadar - October 24th, 2024 [October 24th, 2024]
- Stunning software giveaway: Save over $500 on tools for video editing, password recovery, and more its all free! - BetaNews - October 18th, 2024 [October 18th, 2024]
- PSA: Windows 10 has entered its final year of free support here's what you need to know - Windows Central - October 18th, 2024 [October 18th, 2024]
- Best video editing software in 2024: free and paid-for tools - Amateur Photographer - October 18th, 2024 [October 18th, 2024]
- Samsung TVs free update to One UI is already happening here are the changes coming to TVs - TechRadar - October 18th, 2024 [October 18th, 2024]
- The best open-source productivity software: Free tools to boost your workflow - XDA Developers - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Best tax software of 2024: File fast and accurately, plus get your maximum refund - CNBC - October 7th, 2024 [October 7th, 2024]
- The IRS is expanding its free tax filing service. Do you qualify? - The Washington Post - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Explore Top Free Software Alternatives to Popular Paid Programs for Budget-Friendly Solutions - Gizbot - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- The best free video players in 2024: watch videos in any format - TechRadar - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Ford unveils BlueCruise 1.4: hands-free driving time doubled with new software update - CBT Automotive News - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Free Photo Viewer for Windows - Free download and software reviews - Download.com - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Top 10 Cool Free Windows Software (You'll Really Want) - MSN - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- Best free YouTube to MP3 converter of 2024 - TechRadar - October 3rd, 2024 [October 3rd, 2024]
- The best free alternatives for pricey software: Adios, Office and Adobe - PCWorld - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- Best Free Accounting Software for Small Businesses (Sponsored content from Jerry) - Varsity Online - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- WhatsApp for Windows - Free download and software reviews - Download.com - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- FDA approves some Apple AirPods to be used as hearing aids - NPR - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Q-Free releases new flexible, modular, and scalable tolling software solution - Highways News - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Clark Center for Geospatial Analytics to offer free version of TerrSet/IDRISI software starting Dec. 2 - Geo Week News - September 3rd, 2024 [September 3rd, 2024]
- Best video editing apps of 2024: Top tools for Android, iPhone, and iPad - TechRadar - September 3rd, 2024 [September 3rd, 2024]
- Samsung extends free software upgrades to millions of Smart TV owners are YOU one of them? - GB News - September 3rd, 2024 [September 3rd, 2024]
- This open-source software can double the volume of Windows laptops. For free - The Indian Express - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- European Commission cuts funding support for Free Software projects - European Digital Rights (EDRi) - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Hyundai partners with TCSO to combat car thefts with free software patch - KEYE TV CBS Austin - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Free and Discounted Software for University of Oklahoma Students - The University of Oklahoma - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- GitHub is the Best Place for Free and Open Source Software - How-To Geek - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- The Usual Suspects Xenia, a free Waldorf microwave II/XT emulation using the DSP56300 plugin - Synth Anatomy - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Best free Adobe Illustrator alternatives of 2024 - TechRadar - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- This is how to view the long-established free software 'CrystalDiskInfo' that shows the health status and SMART ... - GIGAZINE - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- The best antivirus software 2024: Free and paid options - Tom's Guide - June 20th, 2024 [June 20th, 2024]
- Best free text-to-speech software of 2024 - TechRadar - May 20th, 2024 [May 20th, 2024]
- Best free word processor of 2024 - TechRadar - May 20th, 2024 [May 20th, 2024]
- Best free antivirus in 2024 - TechRadar - May 20th, 2024 [May 20th, 2024]
- 'Open-Shell Menu' is an open source software that returns the Windows start menu to its previous appearance for free - GIGAZINE - May 20th, 2024 [May 20th, 2024]
- Avast Free Antivirus: Testing its features and learning about the six layers of protection - TechSpot - May 20th, 2024 [May 20th, 2024]
- The best Android antivirus apps in 2024 - Tom's Guide - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Best photo editing software in 2024 - Tom's Guide - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- BYD recalls 16666 Seagull EVs in China due to software issue that may prevent reverse camera image from displaying - CnEVPost - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- KIA installs free anti-theft software this weekend in St. Louis area - KSDK.com - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Best survey tool of 2024 - TechRadar - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Grand Rapids Police and Hyundai Offer Free Anti-Theft Software Upgrades Amid Vehicle Theft Wave - Hoodline - April 26th, 2024 [April 26th, 2024]
- Blueprint Software Systems Announces Free Trial for RPA Analytics Solution - PR Web - April 26th, 2024 [April 26th, 2024]