Buzz
Tax season has officially begun. The IRS will start processing individual returns on Monday, January 27, so you have some time to get everything in order.
Unless you run a business, have multiple income sources, or deal with numerous deductions or complex investments, you don’t need a professional for your taxes—free online software is more than enough (and remember to e-file: the IRS reports a 21% error rate for paper returns versus just 0.5% with e-filing). Plus, anyone earning $69,000 or less annually qualifies for free tax filing software.
Locating Free File programs should be easier this year, thanks to a new agreement announced by the IRS in December. This agreement prevents Free File program participants from obscuring their free options in search results.
Here are some free e-filing options for submitting your 2019 state and federal taxes:
Credit Karma: No limit.
H&R Block Free File: Available for those under age 50 with an AGI of $69,000 or less, or if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Intuit TurboTax Free File: Available for those with an AGI of $36,000 or less, or if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
OnLine Taxes: Available for those with an AGI of $69,000 or less.
TaxAct: Available for those under age 56 with an AGI of $59,000 or less, or if you qualify for the Earned Income Credit.
For all the programs listed, active duty military personnel can file for free with an AGI limit of $69,000.
There are more programs offering free federal tax returns, though some only provide free state returns in certain states. You can view the complete list or IRS-approved free-file options here.
If your AGI exceeds $69,000, you can still use the IRS’s Free File Fillable Forms for your federal return. While it won’t guide you through the process like other programs, it will perform the calculations for you and file at no cost.
Additionally, if your income is $56,000 or less, have a disability, or face language barriers, you may be eligible for the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, where IRS-certified volunteers offer free tax preparation services. The IRS’s Tax Counseling for the Elderly program also provides assistance, but specializes in retirement and pension-related queries unique to seniors.
State Income Tax
Here’s where to find filing options for your state:
Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin
These states do not impose an income tax, but residents are required to pay taxes on dividends and investment income:
New Hampshire and Tennessee are examples.
These states do not levy an income tax: Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
