Over the years taxpayers have often struggled with trying to figure out how to prepare their taxes or where to find a qualified tax professional to prepare their taxes for them. While there is an abundance of Accountants and tax preparation companies such as Jackson Hewitt, H & R Block, and Liberty Tax to satisfy the needs of most, the costs have risen significantly.
With the hard hit economy over the last few years, taxpayers are also trying to cut their budgets when it comes to paying for tax preparation too. With the IRS making changes over the last couple of years aiming towards the goal of becoming entirely paperless, they have aided the American people to cut their tax preparation fees down to zero if they want to take opportunity of the available programs.
The IRS have offered programs and partnered up with tax preparation companies to offer free tax preparation services and programs in an effort to get everyone to e-file and become paperless. By offering their own free tax assistance programs and free tax preparation programs from their partners through their website, they IRS has made this a win-win situation for most. So what are the top 10 free tax preparation programs?
VITA
The (VITA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free income tax preparation services for low to moderate-income level tax payers. Generally, taxpayers who have $49,000 or less income qualify to receive free tax preparation through VITA. The VITA program offers free income tax preparation by certified volunteers across the Nation at various public facilities such as Libraries, Community Centers, Schools, and other convenient locations. Not only does VITA offer free tax preparation services, but it also offers free e-file. For information on the dates, hours, and nearest locations in your community, tax payers can call 1-800-906-9887.
AFTC
The (AFTC) Armed Forces Tax Counsel is the Military’s extension of the VITA program. The AFTC offers free tax preparation for military personnel and their families world wide. The AFTC coordinates tax assistance programs for all branches of the military, the Army, Navy, Air force, Marines, and the Coast Guard world wide.
TCE
The (TCE) Tax Counseling for the Elderly is another volunteer income tax assistance program sponsored by the IRS. The TCE program offers free tax assistance and preparation for low to middle income tax payers with an emphasis to senior citizens of 60 years of age and older.
If you don’t feel the need to see a certified tax specialist in person to answer questions or to advise you, then there is a multitude of free on-line tax programs available. To take advantage of free tax programs online, you can go to IRS.GOV and click on free file. From here you can choose from a list of companies partnered up with the IRS through the free file program and choose a free tax preparation program. Through the IRS free file program you will find some of the Nations top Tax preparation companies and programs available at your finger tips for free. Among the list are the following.
Turbo Tax Freedom Edition
Turbo Tax Freedom Edition is available valid in all 50 states to active military with an (AGI) adjusted gross income of $58,000 or less and regular tax payers with an (AGI) of $31,000 or less. Taxpayers may still qualify for the Turbo Tax program if their (AGI) is higher than the $31,000 limit if they qualify for the earned income tax credit. If your not ready to file and need an extension, free extensions are available through this program also.
Tax Act
Tax Act is another tax return preparation program available for all states, also offering free e-file and free extensions. To qualify for Tax Act you must have and (AGI) of $58,000 or less an be between the ages of 19 and 55.
H & R Block Free File
H & R Block free files offers free tax return preparation for all tax payers 51 years of age and younger with an AGI of $58,000 or less.
Free Tax USA IRS Free File Edition
Free Tax USA offers free tax return preparation valid for all states for taxpayers between the ages of 22 to 64, with an AGI of $58,000 or less
Online Taxes at OLT.Com
Online Taxes at OLT.COM offers free tax return preparation valid in all states for tax payers 51 years of age and younger with an AGI of $58,000 or less.
Tax Simple
Tax Simple offers free on-line tax preparation for filers up to 66 years of age with an AGI of $58,000 or less. This program is valid in all states except Alaska, Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Washington.
ICANFREEFILE
ICANFREEFILE is valid in all states with to all ages for filers who qualify for the earned income tax credit or who have an AGI of $31,000 or less. This program also offers fee extensions.
These are the top ten free tax preparation programs in the Nation. However, to take opportunity of these programs you will need to do your own work to start with and collect all your needed information before getting started. To get started you will need the following information.
Social security numbers for taxpayer and all dependents
Ages and Birthdays for tax payer and dependents
All W-2’s and 1099 forms
Bank Account and routing numbers if wanting direct deposit.
If itemizing you will need total medical expenses, mileage, property tax and mortgage interest paid if a homeowner, education expenses, ect..
Sources:
IRS.GOV/Free Tax Programs