About Free File:
Free File is an IRS program that lets taxpayer use tax preparation software for free or at a discount. There are 19 Free File partners, including 2nd Story Software's TaxACT software. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for Free File software, and you must begin your Free File tax return at the IRS.gov Web site. You can find a list of all IRS Free File partners and an summary of my unbiased reviews at Free Tax Software.
Free File Partner:
TaxACT
Guide Rating:
5 out of 5 (highly recommended)
Free to Use if:
Adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, AND You must live in one of the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI, or WV.
Cost if not free:
$7.95
Cost for State Tax Return:
$12.95
Forms Supported:
1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ.
Easy to Use:
TaxACT is moderately easy to use.
Marketing Messages:
Frequent marketing pressure to upgrade to TaxACT Deluxe, the paid tax prep software from 2nd Story Software.
Speed:
Fast.
Personal Observations: TaxACT could have been faster had it eliminated some of the question screens, and allowed me to speed through my tax return. Reminders to upgrade to the (paid) Deluxe version slowed me down too. TaxACT caught a typo when I was entering my W2 information (a common tax prep mistake). In fact, TaxACT is one of two Free File software programs that caught the error. Considering its accuracy, TaxACT is very highly recommended.
Web site: Go to the IRS Free File page, click the "Start Now" button, and click on the link for "TaxACT.com." This will take you to the TaxACT Free File page. If you go directly to the TaxACT Web site, you will not qualify for the Free File edition of TaxACT.
