Step 2.
Determine Your Eligibility: You must
first determine your eligibility for using a particular company. Each
company has a simple description of their eligibility criteria for using
their free service. You may also find additional information on IRS.gov
Free File pages under the "more details" links.
Step 3. Link to Free File Company Service:
After choosing a company, click on the company's title, which sends you
directly to the company's web site (you will be notified you are
leaving IRS.gov and being sent to a commercial web site). You may
begin the preparation of your tax return.
You have two options for selecting a Free File company
on IRS.gov:
A. Review the complete list of companies and their
descriptions of services. Scan the listing of Free File companies on the
IRS.gov page after clicking on the "Start Now" button on the Free File
Home page. Upon determining eligibility for a free service, you may link
directly to the company's web site by clicking on the company's title.
Upon doing so, you will be notified that you are leaving the IRS.gov web
site and entering the company's web site. You will be located on the
company's web site and you may want to start the process of preparing
your federal income tax return. You will also find a description of a
company's service under "more details" on the IRS.gov free file page.
B. Alternatively, if you are having trouble choosing a
company by scanning the list of Free File companies, you may want to use
the interactive help tool, "Guide Me To A Service" to narrow down the
possible companies offering free preparation and e-filing for you. Click
on the button "Guide Me To A Service" to start searching for the
companies that may provide free services for you.
If you are uncertain about your answers for the
questions contained, you may want to view the complete list of companies
and their services. The accuracy of the results is dependent on the
accuracy of the information you provide the "Guide Me To A Service"
tool.
Step 4. You may exceed eligibility criteria
after selecting a company
You may determine after you start preparing your tax
return with a particular company you are not eligible for the company's
free service and you may be subject to a fee.
If this notification occurs you have the following
options:
1. Return back to the IRS' Free File homepage and review the list of
companies and their services and select another company you may qualify
for;
2. Continue completing your return but take note of the fee displayed on
the company's website; or
3. Visit the
IRS e-file Partners for Taxpayers web page to view additional
low-cost e-file opportunities
For example, if you select a company whose free
services are provided to individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
of $26,000 or less and, based on your tax data, the company determines
your AGI exceeds the $26,000 limit, you will be notified you may be
subject to a fee. It is important you understand each of the company's
eligibility criteria before selecting a company.
Step 5. Prepare and e-file Your Federal Income
Tax Return: The company's software
prepares and e-files your income tax returns using proprietary processes
and systems. Electronically filed returns are transmitted by the company
to the IRS using the established e-file system, which uses secure
telephone lines. An acknowledgment file, notifying you that the return
has been either accepted or rejected, is sent via email from the
company.
Related Articles:
IRS E-file
IRS E-file Step by Step
IRS E-file Basics
E-file on your PC
IRS Free File
IRS Free File FAQ
