You might be eligible to file your taxes for free. There are several methods to file your taxes for free this year. Your starting point might be to explore the IRS Free File, along with the free versions of the popular tax prep programs. 

It is quite common to pay for a professional tax preparer or tax filing software. However, you might be eligible to pay your taxes for free. 

The IRS Free File Program 

As a matter of fact, more people qualify to pay their taxes for free than you can possibly imagine. The key is to start at IRS.gov instead of a search engine. A common mistake is to put it in a search engine and type “free file” or “free tax prep.” This will take you to a reputable company, but at the end of that, there is a surprising fee that you have to pay.

However, you should check out whether or not you qualify for free tax filing with the IRS. 

Let A Virtual Assistant Help

If you find yourself in a position where you don’t make a lot of money but prefer to have somebody walk you through the tax filing process, then you must check out “IRS.gov” first and select “VITA.” 

VITA is the abbreviation for “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance,” and these are volunteers who are IRS-trained, IRS-certified, and use IRS-vetted software to help you prepare your taxes. 

Applying for an extension to give yourself more time is also made free and easy through the IRS Free File program. Nonetheless, if you owe taxes, you should prefer making an estimated payment now so that you can avoid interest and fees. 

Leverage the Free Software Versions

A majority of tax software providers actually provide free versions for those who use simple tax solutions. For instance, TurboTax offers free software, such as the turbotax free software, that allows you to file your taxes for free. Software like TurboTax is well-suited for people with one job and single-source income, as there are no deductions on tax returns. 

Nonetheless, the free software versions are effective for claiming common tax breaks, such as child tax credits. Some of the free software versions can also help with the following:

• Unemployment income
• Bank interest
• Student loan interest 

Before choosing a software provider, make sure that the software is aligned with your particular tax needs. 

Leverage the GetYourRefund.Org Offer

Another free tax filing option that you might want to avail yourself of is the non-profit service of GetYourRefund.org, which essentially offers effective ways to access the “VITA” service that we mentioned before. You can connect with an IRS-certified volunteer and get the much-needed assistance with full-service tax preparation. 

All you need to do is fill out some basic information and have a VITA follow up with you within a few days before you can proceed to the next steps. 

Final Thoughts

You might as well qualify for the TCE, which refers to “Tax Counseling for the Elderly.” This program focuses on retirement and pension-related tax issues and essentially helps people who are sixty and older.