The IRS’s Free File program allows those with adjusted gross incomes under $62k to use the Free File software for their federal taxes for no charge in a partnership with the Free File Alliance. Many states also partner with the FFA to offer free state tax returns to those that qualify, and some states offer free e-filing for all taxpayers. Tax return processing will begin January 19, 2016. So if you’re wondering “How Do I File My Taxes For Free?” keep on reading!
(Note: Every taxpayer regardless of income can file for free if you want to fill out the tax forms by hand. The free service being provided here is the software backend that does the calculations for you. Tax returns prepared electronically are generally more accurate than those filled out by hand, reducing processing time and the potential for penalties that result from errors in your filing.)
What can you do in January to prepare for tax season?
- Finish up any IRA contributions for 2018 (you have until April 15, 2019, to make 2018 IRA contributions).
- Look up the schedules your various financial institutions are planning on issuing your documentation (1099s, etc) so you can watch for them. Ask your employer when you will receive your W-2.
- If you are considering professional tax preparation and haven’t done so before (or are switching preparers), now is the time to be asking around to find a tax preparer. If you have an established relationship, it’s always nice to reach out to say you will/will not be going with the same person again.
- I’m sure you’ll have ideas as well, leave them in the comments.
Links to state tax portals are below:
Alabama – Free e-filing: http://revenue.alabama.gov/eservices/mat-signup-help.cfm
Alaska – No state income tax.
Arizona – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.azdor.gov/EServices/Individuals.aspx
Arkansas – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/incomeTax/eFile/Pages/freeFileProgram.aspx
California – Free filing through CalFile: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/online/calfile/index.asp?WT.mc_id=EfileOptions_Feature_CalFile_Start
Colorado – Free filing through Revenue Online: https://www.colorado.gov/revenueonline/_/
Connecticut – Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center: https://drsindtax.ct.gov/AUT/welcomeindividual.aspx
Delaware – Online filing: http://www.revenue.delaware.gov/pit_onlinefiling.shtml
District of Columbia – Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center: https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/individual/Ind_Logon.jsp?type=100
Florida – No state income tax.
Georgia – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://dor.georgia.gov/free-file-alliance
Hawaii – Free e-filing (fee to make a payment): http://tax.hawaii.gov/eservices/efile/
Idaho – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://tax.idaho.gov/i-1020.cfm
Illinois – Free e-filing: http://www.revenue.state.il.us/MyTax/IL-1040.htm
Indiana – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.in.gov/dor/4740.htm
Iowa – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: https://tax.iowa.gov/individual-income-tax-electronic-filing-options
Kansas – Free e-filing: http://www.ksrevenue.org/iiwebfile.html
Kentucky – E-filing: http://revenue.ky.gov/etax.htm
Louisiana – Free e-filing: http://revenue.louisiana.gov/EServices/LouisianaFileOnline
Maine – Free iFile: http://www.maine.gov/revenue/netfile/IFileDesc.htm
Maryland – Free iFile: https://interactive.marylandtaxes.com/Individuals/iFile_ChooseForm/default.asp
Massachusetts – WebFile: https://wfb.dor.state.ma.us/webfile/wsi/
Michigan – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,4676,7-238-44070_46640-288774–,00.html
Minnesota – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/individuals/individ_income/Pages/Online_Filing_Software.aspx
Mississippi – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.dor.ms.gov/taxareas/individ/efiling/developers.html
Missouri – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://dor.mo.gov/personal/electronic.php
Montana – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: https://tap.dor.mt.gov/_/#2
Nebraska – Free NebFile: http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/electron/ind_e-file.html
Nevada – No state income tax.
New Hampshire – No state income tax.
New Jersey – Free NJWebFile: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pcfile/njwebfile.shtml
New Mexico – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: https://tap.state.nm.us/tap/_/
New York – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/default.htm
North Carolina – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.dornc.com/electronic/e-file.html
North Dakota – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.nd.gov/tax/indincome/elecfiling/
Ohio – Free e-filing: http://www.tax.ohio.gov/ohio_individual/individual/filefaster.aspx
Oklahoma – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: https://www.ok.gov/tax/Individuals/Income_Tax/E-File_Options/Free_File/
Oregon – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/individuals/Pages/individuals-e-filing.aspx
Pennsylvania – Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: http://www.revenue.pa.gov/OnlineServices/PersonalIncomeTaxe-Services/Pages/File-My-Taxes-(PA-e-File).aspx#.VHSUtVXF_Iw
Rhode Island – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.tax.ri.gov/misc/efile.php
South Carolina – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.sctax.org/Electronic+Services/FastFile/default.htm
South Dakota – No state income tax.
Tennessee – No state income tax.
Texas – No state income tax.
Utah – e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: https://tap.tax.utah.gov/TaxExpress/_/
Vermont – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.state.vt.us/tax/eservices.shtml
Virginia – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=freefile
Washington – No state income tax.
West Virginia – Partners with several major tax software providers: http://tax.wv.gov/Individuals/ElectronicFiling/Pages/FreeFileOptions.aspx
Wisconsin – e-filing through WI efile: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/wi_efile/
Wyoming – No state income tax.
