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8 Places to Find Free Tax Filing Services
IRS Free File
IRS Free File is a United States free tax filing service that allows taxpayers to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns. The partnership between IRS and Free File Alliance (A non-profit organization) led to the rise of IRS Free File.Â
There are more than 20 states that have the IRS Free File, including Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Idaho, Minnesota, among others.Â
How to file with IRS Free File
- First, in Browse All Offers, select an IRS service provider. Click on the one that suits all your matches.
- Create an account with your selected IRS service provider and input the required information.
You will save $294 when using IRS Free File – The amount you will have spent on hiring a certified public accountant to prepare and submit the state return and 1040 Form for you.
Compared to paper returns, IRS Free File takes the shortest time to process – Usually 24 – 48 hours. This is because the Free Fillable Forms provide basic field validation checking and basic mathematical calculations.
Your gross income must be lower than $72,000 for you to be eligible for IRS Free File.
TaxAct
TaxAct is an American tax preparation software company that offers free tax filing with zero restrictions.
To carry out free tax filing with TaxAct; Visit the TaxAct official website and select the free package. Fill in the presented forms and submit.
The TaxAct has four basic packages, and when you opt for the free package, you will save up to $130. For example, if you want to claim your deductions; you can use either the Deluxe, Premier, or Self-employed in TaxAct since they are significantly cheaper than their correspondent in Turbo Tax and H&R.
| Package | Federal | State |
| Free | $0 | $34.95 |
| Deluxe | $44.95 | $74.95 |
| Premier | $69.95 | $54.95 |
| Self-employed | $79.95 | $139.95 |
With TaxAct, you can:
- Switch from another tax provider to it
- Import various tax documents, i.e. W-2
Even though TaxAct free version allows you to file a 1040 Form, you cannot itemize deductions.
Credit Karma
From its founding in 2007, Credit Karma is a well-known software company that offers free tax preparation, monitoring unclaimed property databases, free tax filing, and identifying and disputing credit report errors.
 Credit Karma operates in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
To file taxes online for free with Credit Karma:
- Visit Credit Karma’s official website and sign up.
- Input your personal information (name and last four digits of your Social Security number)
Besides, before using Credit Karma Free tax filing, you need to have a legal right to your credit report and credit score from the three credit bureaus every year.
When you use Credit karma to carry out your free tax filing return, you will have saved up to $270.
TurboTax
Turbo Tax is an award-winning American software whose primary function is to prepare income tax returns produced by Intuit.
The TurboTax free edition package covers W-2 income, retirement distributions, unemployment income, dividends and interests, Child Tax Credit (CTC), limited 1099, and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
The free edition covers W-2 income, retirement distributions, unemployment income, dividends and interest, Child Tax Credit (CTC), limited 1099, and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
To file taxes online for free using Turbo Tax:
1. Visit the Turbo Tax official website and create an account.
2. Fill in the tax questions presented to you.
3. You will then be required to check your work before the final submission
If you have used Turbo Tax live, you can request a tax expert review of your return after that.
Some of the benefits that you can derive when using Turbo Tax include:
- Access to the Credit Karma new checking account
- Storage of Tax return – up to 7 years
- Guidance for the essential tax forms
- Access Mobile Tax via the mobile version
- Easy upload and import of tax forms
You cannot claim credits or students deductions using the free edition package.
H&R Block
From 1995, its original launch, H&R Block has consistently helped the United States, Canada, and Australian taxpayers to carry out their free tax filing.
To file taxes online for free using H&R Block;
- Visit the H&R Block official website
- Click on the ‘Start taxes’ button for free tax filing
- Create an account, then log in
- A page to your dashboard will open. You will be required to answer some questions, i.e., personal information, income, deductions, etc.
- You can use the ‘Help’ when you are not sure about your answer.
- Lastly, submit your answers.
When you file your taxes online using H&R Block, you can;
- Switch from one provider to another
- Carry out a one-to-one human tax help
- Log in to their website regardless of your device
- Auto-import various tax documents
VITA or TCE
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counselling for the Elderly (TCE) are essential programs that offer free tax filing to specific individuals.
People who qualify for VITA or TCE free tax preparation are:
- People who make $57,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities
- Limited English speaking Residents
Additionally, TCE offers free tax assistance to individuals who are 60 years of age or above.
VITA and TCE sponsored programs take place annually to help to prevent the IRS from conducting additional verifications, reduce mistakes when filing tax returns, and reduce the time taxpayers spend filing their returns.
To file taxes online for free, Visit the VITA official website and create an account. Log in and answer the presented questions.
If you carry out your free tax filing using VITA, you will save up to $180.
eSmart Tax
eSmart Tax is an online tax preparation software that offers free tax filing.
eSmart Tax uses a straightforward tax preparation procedure with functionalities such as:
- Complete Form 1040
- Affordable Care Act (ACT) forms
- State filing option
- Enter itemized deductions
- Import previous year returns
To file taxes online for free using eSmart;
1. Visit the eSmart Tax official website and create an account.
2. Input your personal, federal, and state information and hit the ‘Finish’ button
eSmart Tax calculates your Federal Refund as you continue filling the forms.
In the basic tax filing, you need to pay $44.95 for the federal return and $36.95 for the state return to submit your return.
While filing taxes on eSmart Tax is relatively cheaper, it is not completely free. You can prepare the file for free but will have to pay $36.95 for a state return and $22.95 for a federal return.
Tax Slayer
Tax slayer is a financial technology and Tax preparation company that offers free tax filing whose primary operations is in Augusta, Georgia.
To file taxes online for free using the Simply Free basic plan, you need to make sure that your taxable income is less than $100,000.
How to file taxes online for free using Tax Slayer
1. Go to TaxSlayer Official website
2. Hit the ‘Start For Free’ menu
3. Answer the start question
4. Create an account, then log in
5. Provide the various information
Additionally, Tax Slayer also allows you to switch from another service provider.
Even though the Simply Free plan allows you to file a 1040 form, you cannot itemize with it.
Free Tax Filing FAQ
How do I know that I am eligible for a free tax filing?
Various organizations have various eligibility factors. For example, if your gross salary is less than $60,000, then you can file your taxes online for free with IRS Free File, Tax Slayer, Credit Karma, and VITA/TCE. Additionally, if you are over 60 years of age or a person with a disability, you can carry out your free tax filing with VITA/TCE.
How much does it cost for H&R block to answer questions?
H&R Block does not charge any amount to answer a question. It has online product support with over 80,000 tax professionals ready to help with your tax needs.
How do I file my tax returns with IRS when my address change?
You can first notify the IRS that your location is changed. To inform them, you can use:
1. Oral notification. You can first visit the nearest offices or make a telephone call. When contacting them, you need to be ready with:
- Full names
- Date of birth
- New location address
- Old location address
- Social Security Number
2. Write and sign a statement, then mail it to where you filed your previous return.
3. Fill the IRS forms change of address, then submit.
 Is turbotax safe?
Your information is encrypted and well secured with Turbo Tax. Usually, there is a multi-factor authentication that you are required to complete every time you log in.
Do you still have to pay your taxes after attaining the age of 70?
Reaching the retirement age does not exclude you from paying your taxes. If you are past 65 years and on an income of $11,850 or more and with no dependents, you must file your income tax.
