Free File for rebate-only filers

I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to get my mom’s tax return done so she could get her rebate money. If I’d waited just a bit, I could have e-filed it for her for free.

The IRS has announced a new Free File option for individuals who normally do not file a tax return, but who are doing so this year to claim their piece of the stimulus package rebate pie.

This essentially is lower-income workers who don’t have to file a return because they make less than the filing trigger amount and folks who rely solely on nontaxable retirement income. These folks could get a minimum economic stimulus payment of $300 for individuals and $600 for married couples — as long as they file a 1040.

Now that tax form can be submitted electronically and at no filing cost thanks to a new offering by a handful of Free File companies. They are listed on the special Free File – Economic Stimulus Payment page.

Right now, there are three participating companies:

• TurboTax Freedom Edition: Free tax preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $30,000 or less.   
• FileYourTaxes.com: Free tax preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $50,000 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, UT, VA, or WI.
• Tax$imple – Deluxe Version: Free tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $54,000 or less and you are age 65 years old or younger and you live in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Regular Free File for the rest: Taxpayers who normally file a tax return but who are eligible for Free File need to go to the main Free File site. This option is available to taxpayers earning $54,000 or less. According to the IRS, that’s around 97 million taxpayers.

Once you file your return, either at the main Free File site or the special one for folks filing just to get the rebate, all you have to do is wait. The IRS will begin issuing payments in May.