Free Online Tax Software for 1040A Short Form?

[nunzia]

I'm tired of going in with a friend for TurboTax software, filling in tons of information only to be told that it is still better for me to take the standard deduction. So, this year I've decided to save the money and just resort to pencil and paper and regular tax forms that I actually mail in. I keep hearing ads for free online tax software and filing but wonder if any work for for the regular 1040A? I hear alot about free for the Simple form, but I don't think I can do that one.
Any hints or ideas on this?

 

[bettymae1121]

turbo tax has a free edition online edition. It's free to use and free to e-file for federal, though they do charge to file for state. But you can tell it not to file state and just file federal, then file state on your own if that's what you want (I do , I can file my state for free on my state's irs site). You can itemize or take the standard deduction, it will tell you which one is better.

 

[nunzia]

turbo tax has a free edition online edition. It's free to use and free to e-file for federal, though they do charge to file for state. But you can tell it not to file state and just file federal, then file state on your own if that's what you want (I do , I can file my state for free on my state's irs site). You can itemize or take the standard deduction, it will tell you which one is better.

wow..that's great

 

[mrodgers]

Turbo tax online, H&R Block online, and Taxact, all pretty much the same, all free for federal, all simple to use. I prefer Taxact, but I ran the numbers with all 3 last year without filing to see if any difference. There was no difference. I use standard deduction.

 

[amykay9377]

The IRS Website has a FreeFile section that lists TONS of free filing options. Take a look - I have never paid to file my taxes (either by going to HR Block, or buying software, etc) EVER.

However, some of these will charge you to file your STATE taxes - the free stuff is only for the Federal stuff.

Another tip - run your numbers through a few different folks (TurboTax, TaxAct, HRBlock) - TaxAct found a deduction none of the others did one year, and I got like $500 more back!

Good luck!