Eligible Taxpayers Can Get Refunds Fast
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney encouraged constituents to take advantage of free tax preparation services available through the IRS Free File program.
Since its inception in 2003, IRS Free File has offered free access to leading commercial tax preparation software to the more than 70 percent of American taxpayers who qualify. Any taxpayer with a 2011 Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less in 2011 can go to www.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare, complete and e-file his or her federal tax return free of cost.
The free access to tax preparation software results from a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, an umbrella association of major tax software companies.
“Taxpayers can easily prepare and e-file their federal returns at no cost by using the IRS Free File program,” said Maloney. “This service is avail- able to every taxpayer whose Adjusted Gross Income was $57,000 or less in 2011. To take advantage of the Free File program, simply go to IRS.gov and click on the “Free File” icon. E-filing is also the fastest way to get a refund: those who qualify for tax refunds may receive them in as few as ten days after filing their returns.”
To learn about the Free File program and how to use it, taxpayers should go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/freefile. There, they’ll see a directory of tax preparation companies belonging to the Free File Alliance, and they can either select one or try the “help me find a company” function.
After choosing a tax software firm, taxpayers will be directed to that firm’s website to fill out and electronically file their federal income tax returns. The service is also available in Spanish. More than 70 percent of American taxpayers qualify for the Free File program.
To learn more, visit www.freefilealliance.org.
