Filing Your Taxes for Free and Finding Free Tax Return Help
Posted on | January 25, 2012 | 14 Comments
According to the 2011-2012 National Society of Accountants (NSA) survey on tax preparation fees, the average tax preparation fee for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state tax return was $233 for the 2011 tax season. For non-itemizing taxpayers, the average cost for Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state tax return was $128 for the same time period.
You may have a very good reason to be paying this much to have your tax return prepared for you (or for paying even more, depending on the complexity of your tax situation). For example, if you do not have the time or desire to learn about the tax code and feel that you will probably miss important deductions if you did the return yourself then it makes sense to have your taxes prepared for you. Perhaps your tax situation is so complex that it is a much better idea for you to pay someone for their services. Maybe you have a simple 1040 to submit, but it is just too confusing (as taxes tend to be).
I’d like to highlight some free resources for tax preparation and tax filing in the hopes that you might come in below the national average this year. Below are resources for both free tax preparation, free filing (that you do yourself), and free tax help.
Free Federal Income Tax Help and Filing Regardless of Income
- Free File with Fillable Forms: The IRS has partnered with 20 tax preparation software companies to offer a free federal income tax filing for everyone. Go to the IRS Free File website for a free fillable federal tax form (online versions of paper forms are designed for people comfortable preparing their own tax returns; offers basic calculations).
- TaxAct.com: This site offers free federal tax preparation software for everyone.
- Wal-Mart: H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt are offering free preparation of 1040EZ forms at 3,000 stores nationwide. Refunds will be given through direct deposit into a bank account, to a prepaid card (watch out—it has some fees), or by a mailed check. Check with your local store to see if they are participating.
Free Federal Income Tax Help and Filing with Income Limits
- Free File with Software: Taxpayers with incomes below $57,000 2011 are eligible for a free tax software product. This offers assistance by prompts and calculations within the software.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): I took advantage of this when I was in college and a local AARP advertised free tax assistance on our campus. Taxpayers with incomes under $50,000 as well as taxpayers aged 60 and older can have their taxes prepared for them by IRS volunteer assistants. Eligible workers can locate a volunteer assistance site by calling their community’s 211 or 311 number for local services or calling the IRS at 1-800-906-9887 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Free State Income Tax Filing with Income Limits
- Beehive.org: This site offers free federal and state income tax filing if your households makes $57,000 or less.
- TaxHawk: State preparation is free for those with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $20,000 or less.
Free State Income Tax Filing with Age Limits
- OLT OnLine Taxes: If you are 20 years old or younger, you can file your state income tax for free using this site.
Free Federal and State Tax Preparation for Active Military Personnel
- Armed Forces Tax Council: The Armed Forces Tax Council provides free tax preparation services for active military personnel and their families in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. They are trained for military-specific tax situations, and act as the coordinator for the VITA program mentioned above.
- TaxSlayer: Active military personnel can file their federal and state income tax for free using this website.
- H&R Block At Home: If you are eligible under the Military OneSource program, you can complete, save, and file your 2011 federal and up to three state returns online for free. You will need to register for the Military OneSource program and use the link through that page in order to get the free tax filing.
Free Tax Question Help
- Call the IRS Directly: In the past I have called the IRS with my questions (might as well go to the source, right?). While it can be a long wait on the phone as the tax deadline approaches, you will eventually be connected to someone who can help you. The general assistance line is 1-800-829-1040. For businesses and specialty help, call 1-800-829-4933. Finally, if you are a taxpayer calling from outside of the United States, dial 267-941-1000.
- H&R Block At Home Premium Federal Tax Return Giveaway
- Double Tax Benefits for Mid to Low Income Households Who Contribute to Retirement Accounts
- Pensions and Social Security: Will Your Benefits be Reduced?
- Evading Tax—Legally
- Surprising Return Policies
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January 25th, 2012 @ 11:39 pm
I’ve been doing taxes online for years now and the convenience is worth it. Even though you may get the federal free eFile, many still charge for the state filing. But you can also mail the state return in yourself.
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FruGal Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Love the convenience. But yes–you can paper file many state tax returns for free.
I am fortunate in that this state and the last one I lived in do not have state income tax. Hurrah! (Texas and Florida).
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January 26th, 2012 @ 7:17 am
Great tips Amanda! I’ll be referencing this article again soon. Thanks!
[Reply]
FruGal Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Thanks Derek!
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January 26th, 2012 @ 11:09 pm
I just found out that I won’t be getting anything back from the government this year. It makes me happy to know that I didn’t lend a single penny to the government. I maximized my profits rather than theirs. Good article.
Jon – Free Money Wisdom recently posted..The Consumerist Treadmill
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January 27th, 2012 @ 4:42 am
I have a family accountant I use but the information here is great. I have actually called the IRS a few times. Man is that wait long. Thank god for speaker phones.
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January 27th, 2012 @ 8:31 am
Thanks for the reminder Amanda! I’ve always done my own taxes but it’s always a good idea to get professional advice!
Paul @ The Frugal Toad recently posted..How to Escape the Debt Trap This Year
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January 27th, 2012 @ 1:42 pm
[...] in the door without one.Good tax help is hard find. Amanda has the answer to that problem with free tax return help. A great resource for this time of the year.I know next to nothing on real estate investing. [...]
January 27th, 2012 @ 3:33 pm
[...] just starting to think about filing my taxes, and Amanda at Frugal Confessions has a nice roundup of free resources for filing your own taxes. Make sure you weigh in with your latest frugal confession, [...]
January 28th, 2012 @ 12:46 am
Greta resource but, unfortunately we can’t file for free this year.
good problem to have.
[Reply]
January 28th, 2012 @ 7:04 am
[...] Frugal Confessions shares how to file your taxes for free and where to find free tax return help. [...]
January 29th, 2012 @ 4:32 am
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January 29th, 2012 @ 4:53 am
[...] Filing Your Taxes for Free and Finding Free Tax Return Help – by Frugal Confessions [...]
January 30th, 2012 @ 1:02 am
[...] year again, tax time! No need to pay for preparation or filing of your federal taxes anymore, and Frugal Confessions tells us how. The gov’t just wants their money, and they are making it easier and cheaper [...]