If you do not want to take advantage of free volunteer tax sites, you may still be able to file your taxes for free. Several online software programs do actually provide free income tax preparation of your federal return.

There are some potential charges that you should be aware of:

• E-filing Fee: Many free tax preparation software programs charge a fee to electronically file your return. You can avoid the fee by printing out the return and mailing it in.
• State Preparation Fee: These software programs that offer free federal return preparation often charge around $20 for the state return. You can get around this by using your federal return to prepare your state return manually. State income tax returns tend to piggyback off of the federal return. Once your federal return is completed, many states’ tax forms are easy enough even for a novice to figure out.
• Add-Ons: Some software programs try to sell additional services to you. Some taxpayers buy into these add-ons through guilt of not paying for the primary service. Just make sure you only buy what you need.

Tax preparation software has improved in recent years and can provide you with an easier way of filing your own income tax returns. Even the free software programs usually include some sort of charge that most users would incur. Some programs cost as little as $15 – $20 and provide step-by-step assistance with filing.

The IRS does offer a Free File option if your adjusted gross income is below $56,000. For more information, see the IRS Free File page for partners that offer free federal filing. Just remember that state filing fees often apply.

If you would like to try to file your own return, these free software programs can be a good option. If you need additional help or have a question, the volunteer sites are still able to help you out. Simply contact one of the free tax prep sites in Wake County with your questions.

Related Information

Pub 4743 No Cost Filing Options