With tax season in full swing, experts are pointing people towards a longstanding yet remarkably underused resource known as Free File. The IRS-sponsored program, which has been around for more than two decades, offers a lifeline to those with adjusted gross incomes of $79,000 or less, enabling them to file both federal and state taxes online at no cost. The program is still accessible for filers whose earnings surpass this threshold, albeit without the luxury of personalized advice or assistance.
“Our software offers step-by-step help to get your federal taxes done quickly, safely, securely, and at absolutely no cost,” Free File Alliance director Tim Hugo has explained.
An analysis of recent IRS data found that despite 70 percent of Americans proving eligible to file their federal taxes online for free, a shockingly modest two percent utilized Free File in 2022. This statistic suggests a massive disconnect that’s causing taxpayers to overspend on filing costs by billions of dollars, according to NerdWallet.
Free File is easy to navigate; however, it does demand a certain level of digital literacy, since it’s only available through modern-day essentials: cell phones, computers, or tablets. For those seeking a more human touch, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs stand ready to assist, free of charge, manned by IRS-certified experts, provided you’re earning $60,000 or less, or are aged 60 and above.
On the innovation front, the IRS is rolling out a shiny new toy called Direct File, tailored for Americans with simple tax returns who yearn for a streamlined “one-click” process. Alas, those making a cool $200,000 or navigating the treacherous waters of self-employment are politely shown the “not eligible” sign for this free pilot program, according to The Washington Post.
While Free File, VITA, and TCE offer no-cost solutions, it’s worth noting that more well-known services such as TurboTax often market themselves as free, but many users find that after being drawn in by that promise, they end up being charged for additional features or complex tax situations. In fact, Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, recently settled a deceptive advertising lawsuit and was forced to pay $141 million in restitution to taxpayers who were misled by the company’s “free, free, free” ad campaign.
As the tax system has evolved, so too have the options for navigating it, offering a glimmer of convenience in what remains a universally daunting task. In the hopes that people might embrace tax season with a smirk rather than a scowl, the IRS is trying to at least soften the blow with an array of no-cost filing options. While filing will likely never be enjoyable, doing so for free might just be a silver lining in the cloud of paperwork.
