TOMORROW: Free File Alliance & IRS to Launch "Free File" for 2015, Offering Free Online Tax Software to 70% of American Taxpayers

Taxpayers with a 2014 AGI of $60,000 or Less Can Visit IRS.gov/FreeFile & Choose an Industry-Leading Software Provider to Prepare and E-File Federal Tax Returns; Program Updated to Help Taxpayers Navigate 'Obamacare' Changes

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Free File Alliance

Jan 15, 2015, 02:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Starting tomorrow (Jan. 16), free federal tax preparation and e-filing software will be available to all Americans with a 2015 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $60,000 or less. Powered by The Free File Alliance, a coalition of 14 industry-leading tax software companies partnered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Free File program gives eligible taxpayers a head start to prepare and e-file tax returns before January 20, when the IRS officially opens tax season. When used with direct deposit, Free File is the fastest way for taxpayers to receive their refunds.

Accessible only through www.IRS.gov/FreeFile, Free File is the one place where taxpayers can choose from a variety of industry-leading tax software options in order to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost. Free File is also updated for 2015 to help Americans navigate tax changes related to the Affordable Care Act. Forms 8962 and 8965 are available across all Free File Alliance software offerings.

"If you're among the 70 percent of Americans making $60,000 or less, Free File is here to take the guesswork out of doing your federal taxes," said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. "The industry's top tax software is all available at www.IRS.gov/FreeFile, and there's even a tool to help taxpayers identify the software option that best fits their needs. When used with direct deposit, Free File is the fastest way to get your refund."

Hugo continued, "Free File has saved taxpayers more than $1 billion since its inception in 2003. We are proud to once again offer innovative and secure tax software at no cost to 100 million Americans. Tax time can be stressful, but Free File makes step-by-step help accessible to everyone making $60,000 or less."

Free File is available only at www.irs.gov/freefile, which provides a list of Free File Alliance member companies and their free tax software offerings. Users may either choose the company that fits their needs or utilize the "Help Me Find Free File Software" tool. After selecting a 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.

Starting Jan. 20, Free File will also offer its basic federal e-filing services with no income limitations. Called Free File Fillable Forms, the basic service allows taxpayers who are familiar with tax law and need no preparation assistance to complete and file their federal income tax electronically.

More than 43 million returns have been filed through Free File since its inception, and taxpayers have consistently reported that it is user-friendly and efficient. Responding to a recent 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 coalition of 14 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 taxpayers free access to the industry's top online tax preparation software. For more information, visit www.freefilealliance.org.

SOURCE Free File Alliance