Free tax return program?

[daughtersrus]

I've always used Taxact in the past but now you have to pay if you want to itemize. Of course, I didn't realize that until I was almost done.

I'm looking for recommendations for a free program. It also needs to be able to do forms for a home business.

Thanks!

 

[starry_solo]

I have never found a free program if you have to itemize, have a home business, or you need to use any of the schedules.

All the free programs I know of are the basic tax returns, standard deductions, EZ forms.

But, the IRS has this on their site:
https://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free

 

[abmitch01]

the United Way offers free tax prep nationwide for singles making less than 54k, I forget the number if you are married. All you have to do is dial 211 and they set you up for a appt near you, usually at your library. They also tell you what documents you will need

 

[KatRob]

AARP has a tax prep that is open to everyone and totally free. I keep children as well as my DH work, pension and such and never have a problem getting it done. E-filed and money in the bank in about 1 week. Check under AARP Taxaide.

 

[daughtersrus]

Thanks for the help. I was looking to do them myself with an online program. In the past, I've used Taxact.com and Taxslayer.com and they have always been free. This year, you have to pay if it's anything other than an EZ form.

 

[Dakota731]

Tax act is still only $20 - you'd pay $200 to have someone else do it.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I don't know of any free online programs. But I know my mom volunteers at our local community college to do taxes for low income families, although she said they don't check incomes and since she is doing their taxes knows some are not low income. Anyhow you could always look and see if there is a community college near you that offers this service. The people that do them, like my mom are accountants that offer their services for free and help the students in the accounting programs learn how to prepare taxes.

 

[Dakota731]

Found FreeTaxUSA which says free for all federal returns. Anyone use them before?

 

[daughtersrus]

Found FreeTaxUSA which says free for all federal returns. Anyone use them before?

I was wondering the same thing.

I was very frustrated with HR Block. Their site lists the forms that are free to file. I was doing my FIL's for him and I thought all the forms that he needed were free since they were listed as free on their site. After entering info for over an hour, I get to the 1099-misc that he gets for a very small amount (under $30 each) for some investments. I thought no problem, 1099-misc is listed as free. As soon as I click on it, it says that I need to upgrade to the Premium program for $49.99. It seems that they assume 1009-misc is for self employment and that you'll need to file a schedule C and SE. So while they claim the form is free, they insist you upgrade to the premium even if the only form you will fill out is the 1099-misc.

Looks like I will go back to Taxact and save him $35

 

[starry_solo]

Found FreeTaxUSA which says free for all federal returns. Anyone use them before?

I just figure they are free to fill out, but not free to file.

 

[Dakota731]

[QUOTEI just figure they are free to fill out, but not free to file.

][/QUOTE]

Website says free for all federal returns and only state forms require a fee. Found this site that reviews companies : https://bestcompany.com/tax-prep/company/freetaxusa/