It isn’t too difficult to find a place to file your federal tax return for free, but finding a service to file your state return for free is another story. I did a little digging and found a few options to consider. But, let’s first start with getting a free federal return…
File your federal return for free!
If your AGI (adjusted gross income) for 2008 is less than $56,000, it should be very easy for you to get your federal tax return filed for free. In the past I have gone to the IRS free efile webpage, because they have links to a bunch of tax preparers that offer free tax return filing (for Federal anyway). Some of them offer a state return to be filed for free as well, but most don’t.
If you click the IRS link above, you will have to use the links on the IRS page in order to get the free efile deal they are offering. Many of the tax preparation websites listed will not offer you the free efile if you go directly to their website.
How to file your state return for free!
As you have probably noticed, many places offer a free filing of a Federal return but don’t offer free state filing. But there are a few ways to get your state tax return done for free.
1. Free state tax filing websites
TurboTax Freedom – The free version of TurboTax is available to filers with adjusted gross income of $30,000 or less. If you live in one of the following states they will also allow you to file your state return for free… AL, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IA, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, ND, NC, OK, OR, RI, SC, VT, WV. If your state is not listed it will cost you $9.95 to file the state return.
TaxSlayer – TaxSlayer.com offers FREE online tax preparation and e-file of federal and state income tax returns if your household income is less than $56,000 AND you can answer “Yes” to any of the following:
- Are age 25 or younger or age 65 or older
- Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Federal (AGI) Adjusted Gross Income is $10,000 or less
- Serve as active duty military (including Reservists, Coast Guard, and National Guard). Taxpayers must have a Form W-2 from the Military for the tax year in which they are filing.
On-line Taxes – This one is pretty simple. You just need to be under 20 years of age and you can get your federal and state return filed for free. If you don’t qualify both returns cost $7.95.
Taxhawk – Prepare, print, and file your federal taxes online for FREE! Your state tax return is FREE if your federal AGI is less than $20,000.
2. Go to your local state government website
Also, you can go directly to you state’s Department of Revenue website to see if they offer a free filing option. For a shortcut, head over to this page which has links to each states free efile (if they have one).
3. Get the paper forms and mail it in
Yes, it sounds pretty archaic, but if you really want to file your state return for free and don’t qualify for the options listed above, this might not be a bad option. If you have already completed the Federal form online, it should be pretty easy to fill out the state return. You can get the forms from your local library or you can print them off at your state’s Department of Revenue website.
One last tip about e-filing your tax return
Do it before Friday morning. The government process tax returns in week-long blocks. So Friday morning at 11am, they process all the returns they received over the previous week. So if you can sneak it in right before the cutoff (Fridays at 11am EST) you will just get your refund that much quicker…
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Oh how I love Nevada – no state income tax!
Sickening to know that WV is one of the poorest state in the country, yet we have taxes on our food and we charge people to file their returns online…..but I guess that is why we are one of the few states that do not have a budget deficit.
Thanks for the links, my brother would qualify for a lot of these services.
I used TaxAct this year…I filed on a Friday and Tuesday my state return was deposited into my account. Can’t beat filing early!
Oh, thank you for compiling this– it’s on my “week to do list” and the week is drawing to a close quickly!
Taxslayer is great! I’ve used them for years. Glad to see them in the list!
One note on your last comment. Make sure they get submitted and accepted by Thursday at noon. If you wait until Friday you will be on the next week’s cycle. This applies only to the IRS as many states have a different refund cycle. You can also look up the refund cycle on the IRS website as well to understand when you can expect your refund to post to your account.
Also if things have changed from year to year it can pay to have an expert look at your return to make sure you have captured all the deductions and credits. Many times the price is well worth it.
Thanks for the clarification on that Scott!
Just used your Free EFile http://www.TaxSlayer.com for my daughter. What a breeze. Will have her refund within 10 days direct deposit. Thanks for the recommend. Jim
I’m just not sure why more taxing agencies don’t promote free e-filing, it has to save them money in processing all of the paper forms.
I’m not sure why more taxing agencies do not promote e-filing. Especially in time of government debts and crisis, why should the government not want everyone to e-file for free?
why does no one else support free e-filings?
Last year I did my nc state for free. I tried all your suggestions with no luck. I have owed back taxes and can’t get caught up before I get laid off again:(. Will be mailing:)
I just found out about through the NY State Tax information website:
http://www.icanefile.org
It does free Federal e-file plus one of the following state e-files: California, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania or Montana.
It doesn’t have any income requirements, so more people should be able to use it.
My version of Turbo tax is suppose to come with one free state filing. In my case Illinois. When I choose Illinois the program wants to charge me another $39.00. I don’t get it. This has never happened in the past. Anyone else have this problem?