Introduced in 2003, Free File is a program created by the Internal Revenue Service in partnership a number of retail tax software companies. In addition to Free File, TurboTax and TaxCut both offer a free basic income tax software package with no income restrictions for tax year 2008.
Last Update: Tax Year 2008
Free File provides free federal income tax preparation software and free federal e-filing, with some free e-filing for state returns. At this time, there are 20 different free tax software providers to choose from.
The eligibility requirements for using the Free File program vary from year-to-year, and you may not qualify every year. To use Free File to prepare your 2008 tax year income tax return, you must meet this criteria:
- The IRS requires that you have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $56,000 or less.
- Free tax software providers in the Free File program can set some of their own requirements for allowing you to use their free online tax software. For example, some free tax software providers may require that your AGI be $32,000, over-ruling the IRS requirement of $56,000. If the free tax software provider mentions no AGI, assume it is $56,000 or less.
- Some free tax software providers have an age range you must fall into, or are only available to certain states or to military personnel.
- Once you choose a free tax software title, be sure you only go to the tax software website through the IRS website to avoid being charged for your tax return. Once you click on the free tax software website, you will get a notice that you are leaving the IRS site - this is o.k.
- Not all free tax software providers offer free state returns or free state e-filing, so be aware of fees if you wish to use the free tax software to prepare your state taxes.
- Some free tax software providers offer free extension if you do not complete your tax return on time.
- Although no ads should appear in the free tax software, if you see ads you are under no obligation to buy anything.
