TurboTax.com has their “Absolute Zero promotion” again this year where simple filers can get Federal + State + Federal eFile + State eFile all for $0. You must qualify for IRS Forms Form 1040A or 1040EZ – that means taxable income of $100,000 or less, no itemized deductions, no business income, no investment sales. You can still claim certain things like educational tax credits, child and dependent care expenses, retirement plan (IRA) contributions, and the earned income credit. You can even receive interest and dividend income.
TurboTax just announced that this promotion ends March 15th. Prices tend to increase across the board as the deadline nears.
The simplest way to see if you qualify is to fill everything out and confirm the price as $0 before you file. You’ll always be presented with the price before being charged. (If you really have a simple situation, this shouldn’t take very long.) Here is their product comparison chart (click to enlarge).
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On the IRS site, there are a number of options for free filing and states also have free file options on their websites. There are conditions to use free file, such as not exceeding a certain income level or being in a certain age group.
As an example, I was doing tax returns for my grandkids that live in AZ. I checked out the free options on the AZ site. I found that for an AGI of $33,000 or less you could file using TurboTax Freedom Edition. There was not a limitation on the type of return. The return created was a form 1040 with a schedules D and form 8949.
I think it is worthwhile to check out the freefile options on the federal and state sites to see if they apply to you.
Do you have to FILE by the 15th, do we just have to start it by the 15th?
I think file. The page says “Actual prices are determined at the time of print or e-file”.
I was on their website and it makes it look like to file state for free you have to do it by the 15th. It doesn’t say anything about Federal.
“Only 3 days left to file with Absolute Zero File by 3/15 to get state for $0.”
That’s a good observation. Free state w/ e-file (and automatic import from federal data for ease) is definitely more rare than free federal though. I think other competitors offers a similar free federal product for 1040A/1040EZ.
Echo what abc said. There are free tax preparation services Nation Wide. I actually work for one, donate my time and expertise.
Just yesterday, I had a gentlemen with a couple of kids file his return. He brought the last year’s return from H&R Block, in-person tax filing which charged like $300. H&R Block “prepared” coded him as Married filing separately, a mistake because his wife did not live with him last year. He should have been coded as Head of Household. So, paid doesn’t always mean better.
Free tax preparation services
Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. Contact them to see if you qualify or to find a location near you. Not all locations offer free e-filing.
Here are the resources. I work for AARP, VIDA and we always have a second person review review our preparations.
http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/individuals/Pages/free-preparation.aspx
AARP
Phone: 1 (888) 227-7669
CASH Oregon
Phone: 2-1-1
United Way is offering free tax assistance through their MyFreeTaxes? program. You can call their tax helpline at (855) MY-TX-HELP (698-9435) or send them an email or chat with a representative through their website.
Free tax preparation software offers
View our list of approved vendors to find a software solution that suits you. Read about the vendor’s free options listed to see if you are eligible. You can also visit the product’s website for details about security, pricing, and features.
Free e-file
Visit our free filing webpage if you prepare your own taxes but want the convenience of e-filing your Oregon return.
Back in the day I would bounce around and use whatever free online software there was. However, I like the consistency of now using one program year after year – TurboTax. It makes things a lot easier and you could easily see your $$ changes year after year. I will be doing my two teenagers taxes with this free software, they’ll probably be hooked on TurboTax for the rest of their lives.