Best Free Income Tax Filing Software and Service [1]
Introduction
I tested several scenarios including the more common filing status, exemptions, income, adjustments, credits, other taxes, payments, etc. The recommended programs covered far more situations than those listed at IRS Free File [3]. All are feature limited versions of commercial programs so expect to be nagged.
State income tax returns may or may not be free depending on several factors such as your state, income, etc. A taxpayer may be able to complete their state return for free using the information from the federal return. Finally see the IRS VITA and TCE link immediately below.
The IRS Free File site also lists many options for filing Federal Income tax returns. Beware, a few of the listed services don't nag and therefore don't necessarily warn that the taxpayer no longer qualifies for a free return.
I don't have experience with tax preparation for other countries but I included the links provided by commenters in the Related Products Section.
Note: If you feel overwhelmed please contact the IRS VITA and TCE [4] which provide free federal and state tax return preparation by volunteers. The volunteers can prepare many returns but some situations are out of scope for them, e.g. separate returns in a community property state or Schedule C with inventory.
Rated Products
[6]
TaxHawk and FreeTaxUSA IRS Free File Edition [6] [7]
An authorized IRS e-file provider to prepare and file your taxes with limited free services.
Platforms/Download: Web App [8] | [9]
Version reviewed: 2015
Gizmos Freeware [10]
| Our Rating: 5/5 |
|
Read more... [7]
[11]
TaxACT Free Edition [11] [12]
Offers online services and software products to prepare and file taxes.
Platforms/Download: [field_blackberry_download] | iOS [13] | Web App [14] | Windows (Desktop) [15] | [9]
Version reviewed: 2015
Gizmos Freeware [10]
| Our Rating: 4/5 |
Read more... [12]
Related Products and Links
USA:
- Free Tax Return Preparation for You by Volunteers [4]
- IRS Free File [16]
- IRS Free File Fillable Forms [17]
Canada:
- UDoTaxes [18]
- QuickTax Free Online Edition [19]
- QuickTax Student Online Edition [20]
- StudioTax [21]
California State Taxes:
- Franchise Tax Board [22]
Colorado State Taxes:
- Revenue Online [23]
Connecticut State Taxes:
Delaware State Taxes:
New York State Taxes:
- Free e-file options [26]
Malaysia:
- e-Filing [27]
Singapore:
- myTax Portal [28]
India:
Editor
This software category is in need of an editor. If you would like to give something back to the freeware community by taking it over, check out this page [30] for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here [31].
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