Free File Alliance Partners with IRS to Kickoff 11th Year of Free Online Tax Services

freefileTaxpayers Making $57,000 or Less Can Visit IRS.gov to Access Leading Tax Software from Free File Alliance Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2013) – The Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of industry-leading tax software companies partnered with the Internal Revenue Service, today announced the launch of the 2013 Free File program. Since its inception in 2003, Free File has offered free online commercial tax preparation software for 70 percent of taxpayers. This year, taxpayers with a 2012 Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less – about 100 million Americans – may visitwww.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost.

In addition to offering comprehensive tax services for 70 percent of taxpayers, Free File also offers basic federal e-filing services with no income limitations. This basic e-filing service, called Free File Fillable Forms, allows taxpayers who are familiar with tax law and need no preparation assistance to complete and file their federal income tax electronically. There are no income limitations to use Free File Fillable Forms.

“Free File is the one-stop shop for 70 percent of taxpayers to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns,” said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. “The service is unique because it gives taxpayers access to 15 different tax software offerings so they can choose the one that works best for their tax situation. With Free File, the industry’s top software is all in one place, and it’s all free.”

Hugo continued, “The Free File Alliance is committed to making e-filing fast, safe and free for 100 million taxpayers. Free File provides step-by-step assistance to take the guesswork out of doing your taxes. We invite eligible taxpayers to visit IRS.gov/freefile and join the 36 million Americans who have already used this program during the last 10 years.”

To begin, taxpayers should visit the IRS website –www.IRS.gov/freefile. Users will find a list of Free File Alliance member companies and may either choose one that fits their needs or utilize the “Help Me Find a Company” tool. After selecting a tax software company, users will be transferred to the company’s website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. The service is also available in Spanish.

The Free File Alliance is also partnered with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) – a walk-in service for low-to-moderate income taxpayers – which offers Free File software on self-assist kiosks at VITA sites in 29 states. Through its partnership with VITA, the Free File Alliance will be able to provide e-filing services for taxpayers who do not have Internet access at home, as well as those who want to e-file, but need additional help.

Free File Alliance member companies have worked closely with the IRS to strengthen the Free File program, and taxpayers have consistently reported the program as being user-friendly and efficient. Responding to a 2009 IRS survey, 96 percent of users said they found Free File easy to use, while 98 percent said they would recommend the program to others.

 About the Free File Alliance

The Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of 15 industry-leading tax software companies, has partnered with the IRS since 2003 to help low- and middle-income Americans prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns online. The Free File Alliance is committed to giving 70 percent of Americans free access to the industry’s top online tax preparation software. More than 36 million returns have been filed through IRS Free File since its inception. For more information, visit www.freefilealliance.org.