| Filing of taxes can be confusing for an average | | | | fees for these services. |
| person. Tax laws and provisions change every | | | | The eligibility requirements for the Free File |
| now and then and it can be difficult to keep track | | | | changes annually and it is not possible to qualify it |
| of all these changes. It is mostly for this reason | | | | every year. There is no income requirement if |
| why some people prefer to have their taxes | | | | you are only going to use the fill-in form e-file. |
| prepared and filed by a professional such as an | | | | However, to qualify for e-filing for tax year 2009, |
| accountant or a tax preparer. However, you can | | | | you have to have an Adjusted Gross Income |
| get a free tax return and avoid extra costs if | | | | (AGI) of no more than $57,000. However, there |
| you know how to prepare and file your taxes | | | | are some software providers who has their own |
| properly and with the use of free software that | | | | income requirement which overrides the |
| are readily available especially in the IRS website. | | | | requirement set by the IRS. Some also have |
| Together with a couple of retail tax software | | | | other requirements such as age group, which |
| company, the IRS created a program called Free | | | | state you belong to and whether or not you are |
| File. Since it was introduced to the public in 2003, it | | | | in the military. |
| helped many Americans prepare and file their | | | | When you go to the IRS website, you will be |
| taxes online and on time. The program that | | | | given the option to choose your preferred Free |
| provides free returns is available for almost all | | | | File Company. Some companies provide services |
| taxpayer in the United States, depending on your | | | | such as free preparation and e-filing and some |
| income. Generally, the program provides a | | | | companies would give you the services for a fee, |
| step-by-step assistance to help you fill out your | | | | the same goes for preparation of state taxes |
| tax returns except for the income taxes and the | | | | and returns. Among the many advantages of |
| state taxes. | | | | using free tax return software is that they are |
| The number of services available to you from | | | | very easy to use and minimizes errors as it |
| Free File and other software depends on the type | | | | checks for accuracy and does the math for you. |
| of tax software you are using and some | | | | It asks simple questions and your answers are |
| software allows for some state returns, and | | | | put in the right forms. |
| federal e-filing while some would charge additional | | | | |