Additional Tax Preparation Resources

Additional Tax Preparation Resources

By:  Tripp, Senior Ticket Counselor

In addition to the tax preparation services discussed in the previous article, our counselors at ERS have located additional services that may be available to assist you.  This listing is not all-inclusive and there may be other services available in your area or online.  The services listed below are for individuals who have access to the internet and will require you to complete your taxes yourself.  If you are not comfortable completing your taxes on your own, please contact a tax professional and do not attempt to do complete them by yourself.

TurboTax – Intuit Tax Freedom Project

This service allows individuals who meet 1 or all of the following requirements to file their FEDERAL taxes for free.

1.      Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $31,000 or less for the year 2011.

2.      You were Active Duty Military in 2011 with an AGI of $57,000 or less.

3.      You qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC).  Click here to find out if you qualify.

In addition, if you qualified to free file your federal taxes and live in one of the states listed below, you may also qualify to file your STATE taxes for free. 

Alabama	Arkansas	Arizona
Georgia	Iowa	Idaho
Indiana	Kentucky	Michigan
Minnesota	Missouri	Mississippi
North Carolina	North Dakota	New York
Oklahoma	Oregon	Rhode Island
South Carolina	Virginia	Vermont
West Virginia

If you are not eligible to file your state taxes for free, the minimum cost with TurboTax is $14.95. 

TaxAct – Free Federal Tax Return for Everyone!

This service allows everyone to file a 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ federal tax return for free, regardless of income and/or age.  Filing your state return will cost you a minimum of $14.95. 

H&R Block – Online Free File

This service is for first-time filers and individuals with simple tax returns.  Provides Accuracy Review to ensure accurate calculations on your return in addition to worry-free audit support in the unlikely case you are subject to an IRS tax audit.  Filing of a state return will cost at least $27.95 unless you live in the state of New York.  New York residents can file state returns for free with H&R Block if they use the Online Free File edition.

FreeTaxUSA – Free Edition

Service offers free Federal filing for everyone.  Individuals will need to pay a $9.95 fee to file state returns.  A Deluxe Edition including Audit Assistance, Priority Support, Unlimited Amended Returns, and more is available for $5.95.