Tax e-filing and Free File is now available for most taxpayers

January 30, 2013

Have you filed your 2012 tax return yet? Millions already have filed today.

Like racers in the starting blocks, these taxpayers have been poised to send their returns to the Internal Revenue Service for weeks, but had to wait.

Because Congress waiting until Jan. 1 to approve the American Tax Relief Act, which includes many provisions affecting 2012 tax returns, the IRS needed time this month to get forms and instructions updated and its computers reprogrammed.

The IRS is ready to take returns from most (but not all) taxpayers today. It's now accepting returns that are filed the old-fashioned way, filled out paper and snail-mailed in, as well as electronic filings.


Free File logoAnd the tax agency's Free File option also is open for business, the announcement of which is also today's Daily Tax Tip.

Free File 2013: Free File first appeared on the tax-filing scene 10 years ago. Now it is old hat.

Sure, there are some tweaks each year. But basically, the filing routine is the same. A group of commercial tax preparation software companies, known as the Free File Alliance, agree to make a version of their software available to eligible taxpayers via the IRS' Free File site.

You can use Free File to prepare and file your taxes this year at no cost (just in case you thought the name Free File was just a catchy alliterative title) if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less. This income threshold applies to all filing statuses.

And you have 15 tax software companies from which to choose. Or you can use the Help Me Find a Free File Company online search tool to determine which one best fits your filing needs.

Fillable forms free, too: If you make too much money to qualify for Free File this year, the IRS is once again offering Free Fillable Forms.

These are online
versions of the most commonly used IRS tax forms. Instead of buying and loading tax software onto your personal computer, you simply open up the forms you need, enter your tax information and e-file
the documents at no charge.

But since it's just forms, not software, you only get basic calculations of the data you enter on the forms. And you must know what goes where. And you must transfer any amounts to other forms as needed.

Still, it is free.

So if your return isn't too complicated and you're comfortable filling out the forms, fillable forms might be just the tax ticket this filing season.

Check out the tips: January's Daily Tax Tips contain a lot of good info to help you complete your tax returns. Since we're focusing today on e-filing, be sure to check out tips #22 (tax software) and #23 (e-filing options).

And happy tax filing!

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Tax Season 2026 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 26, millions who were expecting refunds filed immediately. Most of us got our returns to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. But plenty of taxpayers also got extensions. They are looking at an Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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Comments
  • รับทำ seo
    12 years ago

    impressive piece of writing concerning education and fully explained, keep it up

  • ASWD Law Official Site
    13 years ago

    This is very convenience in the taxpayers part, especially to those who are so busy enough to file taxes personally. I would surely go for this if this is available in our place.

  • Jay
    13 years ago

    Kay, you Texans are spoiled. Free File works fine until you have to file your state tax return. Then, for many it’s start from scratch or pay for the state return, which the vendors are pleased to make available, at a price.

Comments are closed.