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Free e-filing for 2001 Taxes?

Posted by Cliff on from the it's-getting-to-be-that-time-of-year-again dept.

chipperdog asks: "I know this gets asked every year about this time, but are there any free alternatives for e-filing tax returns? In previous years, HD Vest offered free filing, but has discontinued it this year. I can't justify spending more than $10 for filing a return that I can send through the post office and IRS data entry people for approx $0.50-0.75. It would be nice if the IRS would just publish a standard submission format, so open source developers can work with it.."

5 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. Specs & Info by FredtheDead · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is the IRS's "IRS e-file For Tax Professionals, Software Developers and Transmitters" page.
    and here is the "IRS e-file Technical Publications" page which has the e-file file layout spec.

    1. Re:Specs & Info by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 3, Informative

      You should know that you have to be approved, submit your fingerprints, and pass an FBI criminal background check in order to connect to the IRS computers. I applied in mid-December and still haven't been approved. Even if I am approved the software will not likely be finished enough to pass the test until next year.

  2. Quicken has free filling... by biohazard99 · · Score: 4, Informative

    For people whose AGI was under 25000 here. I used it last year and it was great, but it is a large web app so doing it over a 56k could mean a long night downloading instead of looking at tax tables and reciepts.

    --
    Read my plan to save the Bengals
  3. Move to Canada. by checkyoulater · · Score: 2, Informative

    Last year, CCRA (Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) allowed all Canadians to file online, or even over the telephone. There was only 1 catch, and that was you needed to use software approved by CCRA.

    If I recall, there were a few online offerings that were free for personal use.

    Of course, this doesn't really answer your question though. Perhaps I am just bragging? It is actually a pleasant surprise to see our government do something right!

    --
    Is that a real poncho? I mean, is that a Mexican poncho or is that a Sears poncho?
  4. www.taxactonline.com by haystd · · Score: 4, Informative

    E-File is $7.95, paper return is free. Used them this year and they worked ok. Not quite as much hand-holding as you'd get with Tax Act or Turbo Tax, but fine for most tax returns if you're used to filing your own taxes.