Tax season is open! The first day to e-file your 2009 taxes is Friday, January 15, 2009, and you can start your tax return any time between now and April 15th to file your taxes free. I highly recommend using e-file when you file your taxes because your tax return is processed twice as quickly as a paper tax return. You may receive your refund in as little as 8 days via e-file, but it can take a month or more to receive a refund via check. Keep in mind, the sooner you complete your return, the sooner you will receive a refund!
How to file your 2009 tax return for free
There are several places you can e-file your taxes for free. The IRS itself does not actually produce any tax software or offer direct filing because they do not have the programmers or resources available to do so. However, there are quite a few private companies authorized by the IRS to provide tax software to the general public. A few of them are listed below.
However, before showing you a few of the companies available I thought I would clear up a little confusion regarding the IRS FreeFile program, and free e-filing.
IRS Free File program vs. free e-file
Free File is a program sponsored by the IRS that allows taxpayers under a certain Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to file free – even when using a commercial tax software program. Last year taxpayers with an AGI less than $54,000 qualified to file their federal taxes free through a participating company. (State taxes not included). Companies that offer Free File may have different eligibility requirements for their Free File program, and the available forms and services may vary – be sure to read the details.
E-file is a method of filing your taxes via the internet and is offered free of charge by all the major tax software and tax preparation companies. Processing tax returns submitted via e-file is cheaper, faster, and more accurate than filing paper returns.
When searching for a place to file your taxes for free, be sure that you are signing up for the Free File program if you qualify, and always ensure the tax preparation company or software you use offers free e-file so you can receive your tax refund more quickly.
Where to file your 2009 taxes for free
There are many online tax preparation companies and various software programs. Here are a few of the major programs that offer software support, guarantee their tax preparations, and offer Free File and free e-file. Remember that there may be different Free File eligibility rules (you generally must have an AGI under $54,000) and there may be an additional charge to file your state taxes.
Free File with TurboTax: TurboTax is the company I have used for each of the past 5 years or so, and I am most familiar with their product. Their software is intuitive and walks you through each stage of the tax return, including income, deductions, tax credits, etc. The TurboTax Free file program supports IRS forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ.
- File your 2009 federal tax return free with TurboTax.
Free File with TaxCut: TaxCut is the software program owned by H&R Block. Their software is fully guaranteed and easy to use. The TaxCut Free File Online program guides you through a simple, federal tax return to help ensure your taxes are done right. The form is pre-selected and there are no forms to select.
- File your 2009 federal tax return free with TaxCut.
Free E-file – TaxACT! TaxACT also provides a Free File program.The TaxAct Free File program supports IRS forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ. An additional feature TaxAct offers is a video demonstration.
Free File with FreeTaxUSA: FreeTaxUSA provides the Federal Free File program for taxpayers with an AGI less than $56,000; free state tax returns are available for those with an AGI less than $20,000. Taxpayes who are not eligible for a free state return will only pay $9.95 to file their state taxes. FreeTaxUSA’s Free File program covers all simple forms of income, deductions, and credits. Check out the FreeTaxUSA site for more details. (Note: Use Coupon Code – FEDFREE).
- File your 2009 federal tax return free with FreeTaxUSA. (Note: Use Coupon Code – FEDFREE).
Whichever company you use to file your taxes, I hope your tax return is a good one and you receive it quickly! Good luck!
Note: If you are in the military, you are also eligible for free tax preparation. Check out this article: Free Tax Preparation for Military Members.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I never stress about my taxes or how to file them. I am lucky to have an uncle who is an accountant. I hand everything to him, and all I have to do is sign a few things and drop it in the mail. He even addresses the envelops for me.
No fair! That’s cheating!
Just kidding. I’d love to have that option! I usually just buy a copy of TurboTax because I don’t qualify for Free File. It works well enough for me and is easy to use. I won’t be starting my taxes for a couple weeks because I haven’t yet received my income statement from many of the companies I deal with for my small business… fun!
I’ve been using TaxAct, and it’s been really easy. It also saves your information from past years so it’s been very easy for me.
Tom, Thanks for the info – that’s great to know! I know that TurboTax and TaxCut offer the same feature when you use their online version.
If only there was somewhere to have your taxes filled out for free too.
I may have the solution, my sis is soon to be a CPA. Hopefully she will do my taxes. I’ll probably have to do them for myself this year. She still don’t know what she doing yet.
Great post, good info, thx.
Ha! Sam, I know what you mean!
Actually, if you are in the military, you probably can get your taxes done for free: Free Tax Preparation for Military Members. Of course, that only applies to a small percentage of US citizens.
As for me, I’ll probably be going with TurboTax again this year. It’s what I know best. Good luck on your taxes this year!
This doesn’t make any sense. The first date to File 2009 taxes was Jan 15 2009
Article title ” how to file your federal taxes for free