Can I E-File State Taxes?
E-filing state and federal taxes saves money, time, assures greater accuracy and a faster return, especially if you use direct deposit. The IRS also offers a free file program for those who qualify. Simple 1040 EZ forms can be e-filed for free if you are low income, or for a small charge if your taxes are more complex.
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State E-Filing
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The IRS expects more than 100 million e-filings in 2011. E-filing your taxes is now accepted in every state. Certain states such as Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming require federal filing only. You can submit your state e-file separate from your federal in every state except Arkansas. Only Arkansas requires that, if you e-file your federal return independently from your state return, you submit your state return in paper form. If filing separately, you must wait for your federal return to be accepted before filing your state income taxes.
The IRS Free File Program
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Those who e-file will receive their refunds in half the time compared with paper filing. The IRS is offering a Free File Program to those who are filing a 1040 and have an adjusted gross income of $58,000 or less, as of 2010. The program is accessed at IRS.gov and involves 20 tax software companies who are coordinating with the IRS. The Free File Program ensures that all lower-income people receive a free federal e-filing, and some of the participating tax preparation software companies also offer free state e-filings to those who qualify.
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Free E-Filing for Minors, Elderly and Military
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The Free File Program serves low-income, elderly individuals. If you are under 20, you can e-file your federal and state income taxes for free at On-lineTaxes (see Resources). The IRS offers free tax assistance and e-filing to low-income, elderly individuals. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs supply trained community volunteers to assist those over the age of 60 who have an annual income of $49,000 or less. To locate the nearest program near you, call VITA at 1-800-906-9887 or TCE at 1-800-829-1040. You can also contact your nearest AARP tax aide site for free income tax assistance and e-filing at 1-888-227-7669. The Armed Forces Tax Counsel (AFTC) maintains worldwide income tax assistance programs for military personnel and their families in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Free State E-Filing Websites
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You may qualify for free state e-filing. You can e-file your state taxes free on certain websites if you meet their criteria. TurboTaxFreedom, for example, offers free federal and state e-filing to individuals who have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $30,000 or less. However, you must live in one of these states to qualify: AL, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IA, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, ND, NC, OK, OR, RI, SC, VT, WV. Otherwise, it is $9.95 to file a state e-file (as of February 2011). If you have an AGI of $20,000 or less, you can e-file your federal and state taxes at TaxHawk. The Beehive requires that you have an AGI of $58,000 or less, as of 2009, a valid email address and a valid Social Security or individual taxpayer identification number in order to qualify for free federal and state e-filing.
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References
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