IRS FreeFile Service Provides Free Tax Filing both Online and In-Person – Program also available in Spanish

With the 2013 tax filing season upon us, many Americans are searching for how to file taxes for free online or in person. As they have since 2003, the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of 15 industry-leading tax software companies, has partnered with the IRS to help low- and middle-income Americans prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns online. The service is also available in Spanish, and through a partnership is also available in person for walk-in customers (see below).

According to the IRS, an estimated 70 percent of Americans can file their income taxes for free using the online service. This year, for those filing their 2012 tax returns with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $57,000 or less, the freefile online e-file option is available at www.IRS.gov/freefile at no cost. Since the inception of the IRS freefile program, over 36 million returns have been filed through the free tax filing service.

In addition to offering comprehensive tax services for 70 percent of taxpayers, Free File also offers basic federal e-filing services with no income limitations. This basic e-filing service, called Free File Fillable Forms, allows taxpayers who are familiar with tax law and need no preparation assistance to complete and file their federal income tax electronically. There are no income limitations to use Free File Fillable Forms.

“Free File is the one-stop shop for 70 percent of taxpayers to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns,” said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. “The service is unique because it gives taxpayers access to 15 different tax software offerings so they can choose the one that works best for their tax situation. With Free File, the industry’s top software is all in one place, and it’s all free.”

Hugo continued, “The Free File Alliance is committed to making e-filing fast, safe and free for 100 million taxpayers. Free File provides step-by-step assistance to take the guesswork out of doing your taxes. We invite eligible taxpayers to visit IRS.gov/freefile and join the 36 million Americans who have already used this program during the last 10 years.”

The Free File Alliance is also partnered with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) – a walk-in service for low-to-moderate income taxpayers – which offers Free File software on self-assist kiosks at VITA sites in 29 states. Through its partnership with VITA, the Free File Alliance will be able to provide e-filing services for taxpayers who do not have Internet access at home, as well as those who want to e-file, but need additional help.