PSA: If you made less than $66,000 in 2017 you can file your taxes using software for FREE

[meggsydoll]

The IRS has a Free File program that allows those with adjusted gross incomes under $66,000 to file their taxes for free.

If this is you and you haven't done your taxes yet, go to freefilealliance.org to get more info. Some options available include the names you know like TurboTax and H&R Block. They should all be very easy to use, just fill in the forms with info from your W2s.

Many states also partner with the FFA to offer free state tax returns to those that qualify, and some states offer free e-filing for all taxpayers.

Note: This text is modified from an old post of /@gemvic7231984 (gone but not forgotten).

 

[followerofjesus777]

@meggsydoll Credit Karma will also let you do your taxes for free! That’s how I did mine this year the UI is great and feels very intuitive.

 

[faithjoyhope]

@followerofjesus777 State taxes too. Huge bonus.

 

[resjudicata]

@faithjoyhope Through the link in the OP, H&R Block will also do federal and state for free. That's what I did.

 

[jhunmejia]

@followerofjesus777 Credit Karma is one of the few that allows you to do it for free if you have a HSA.

 

[allpraisebetogod]

@meggsydoll Wish I had seen this a week ago. I have giving turbo tax $30

 

[chaos8066]

@allpraisebetogod Turbo tax has a free version! I used it this year since TaxAct wanted to charge me $15.

 

[allpraisebetogod]

@chaos8066 Yeah I did the mostly free version but was too late for free state. I didn't notice until the last second that they also charge $40 to have your fee taken out of your refund. I don't remember that in the past and was glad I noticed it before submitting

 

[sad55]

@allpraisebetogod What?! I didn't realize they were going to charge me those $40 :/

 

[johnsimabel]

@allpraisebetogod There are states that let you file online for free. It’s worth checking out if that applies to you.

 

[symphonix]

@meggsydoll https://www.unitedway.org/myfreetaxes/

Here's an easy link to do it for free with H&R Block

Federal and State Free, make sure to go through the link because going through normal H&R Block and clicking free is 30 dollars for state.

Also I'm an accountant so if you have questions I'll answer them if I can. However, my concentration is not in taxation.

 

[pratulnand]

@symphonix Noted. Thanks.

 

[soccer_girl]

@meggsydoll Unfortunately if you're like me an have a HSA you can't take advantage of the free filing.

 

[jhunmejia]

@soccer_girl Credit Karma lets you do it for free with a HSA! I have one and that's what I used.

 

[soccer_girl]

@jhunmejia Good to know! ...for next year

 

[m21820]

@soccer_girl Freetaxusa.com is a good service. Federal is free, State costs $12.95

 

[meggsydoll]

@soccer_girl According to this /r/personalfinance post, freetaxusa.com is offering form 8889 for free.

 

[resjudicata]

@meggsydoll Somehow every time I do this it ends up costing me like $80 or so, turbotax. I had cashed out a 401K and some other things though.

 

[eddyzblack]

@resjudicata Don't use turbotax. I had a very complicated return (2 states, 3 jobs, one as a contractor, and interest income) and it was still free.

 

[mydogs]

@meggsydoll The Canadian government uses StudioTax as their free option. I have used it for years and it's pretty simple to figure out even if the user interface isn't as fancy as Turbo tax..... the nuts and bolts are the same and it works just peachy.