Free File Alliance Announces Free Online Tax Preparation Services

The Free File Alliance is a voluntary coalition of private sector tax software preparation companies that have a landmark public-private partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS and several of its partners in the Free File Alliance can now accept returns submitted by people who have no legal requirement to file other than to receive their payments. People in this category should take care to use only those companies listed on the Free File - Economic Stimulus Payment page at www.irs.gov .

"Free File is a completely free and easy way for all qualified taxpayers, including those only filing to receive the economic stimulus payment, to file their taxes online," said Tim Hugo, the executive director of the Free File Alliance. "Over the last five years, Free File private sector companies have provided more than 19.2 million taxpayers, most with low and moderate incomes, with the ability to prepare and file their tax returns online absolutely free of charge."

Taxpayers who normally file a tax return and want to use Free File, should simply go to the main Free File page and click 'Start Now' to see a list of the 19 companies offering free preparation and electronic filing to the IRS. Free File is available to 97 million taxpayers who earn $54,000 or less.

"The Free File Alliance is an innovative one-of-a-kind partnership of the private sector with the IRS that offers free federal tax services to millions of low and moderate income Americans," said Hugo. "We are proud that the Free File initiative has a tremendous track record of success, with taxpayer surveys that indicate a nearly 100 percent satisfaction rate."

Earlier this year, taxpayers responding to an IRS survey reported an overwhelming level of satisfaction with the program.

According to the survey, 95 percent said they intend to use Free File again next year, 99 percent said they found Free File very easy or somewhat easy to use and 98 percent said they would recommend Free File to others. Convenience, plus the free cost, are the most appealing factors of Free File. -- Free File Alliance