The program is a public-private partnership between the federal government and private tax preparation companies, including TurboTax maker Intuit. Companies that participate must adhere to strict privacy and security guidelines.

People with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $57,000 or less can select from more than a dozen online tax preparation services.  That means about 70 percent of all taxpayers, or 95 million people, are eligible to use these free services.

Additionally, anyone, regardless of their income, can use the Free File Fillable Forms at irs.gov. It’s a free, simple forms utility that’s basically the electronic equivalent of a paper 1040 along with associated schedules and forms. You just type in the numbers and it does the math for you.

Intuit has supported this program for more than a decade. Since the start of the Free File program in 2002, we’ve donated more than 22 million federal and state tax returns through Intuit TurboTax to low and middle-income taxpayers.

For tax year 2012, anyone who has an AGI of $31,000 or less, or is active duty military with an AGI of $57,000 or less, or who qualifies for EITC can use TurboTax Freedom Edition.  Please note, Turbotax Online Freedom Edition is not to be confused with our Federal Free file available on TurboTax.com if you don’t meet these qualifications.

TurboTax Tax Freedom Edition also includes free tax advice from CPAs, IRS Enrolled Agents and tax attorneys via chat.

Additionally, through the IRS web site, TurboTax offers free state tax preparation to qualified taxpayers who file returns in 22 states and the District of Columbia that sponsor their own Free File: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

For more information on the Free File program, visit http://www.taxprephelp.org.

Military life can be tough on your pocketbook, especially if you have a family back home that depends on your financial support. Here are some ways to save money before and during deployment, and take advantage of the benefits that the military provides you.

Memorial Day

Eliminate rental expense. Your basic food and shelter needs are taken care of while you are deployed. If you are single, pack up your household items and put them in storage while you are gone, so you won’t have to pay rent. If you are leaving a family behind, government housing or a Basic Housing Allowance may provide assistance for their needs.

Reduce home ownership expense. If you are single and own a home you’ll have ongoing costs, but there are still ways to reduce housing expense. Turn off utilities, or if that is impractical in your climate, adjust the thermostat and turn off your electronics rather than leaving them in standby mode. Empty your refrigerator and prop open the door to prevent odor.

Check your insurance. If your car will be sitting idle, to save money put your vehicle into storage or vacation status with your insurance company. Ask whether there are any other savings that might be available on other policies, such as homeowner or renter insurance.

Get relief. The 2003 Service Members Civil Relief Act provides for an interest rate reduction to 6% for any debt incurred before you enlisted and delays any civil legal actions against you. Until you return home it bars landlords from evicting your family from rental property costing less than $2400 a month, and allows you to break leases and some contracts without penalty.

Take advantage of benefits. As a military member, you get special postage and email rates, and you and your family can save money shopping at the exchange and commissary. There are many medical benefits available for your family, so explore those thoroughly before you go. Families of military members are also eligible for free or reduced childcare.

Save, save, save. While you are deployed, you will receive extra pay and tax free benefits. Use this opportunity to stash funds away for future needs.  That will ease your life when you return, and your eventual transition to civilian life.

Free Tax Filing

IRS Free File Alliance is a public-private partnership between the federal government and private tax preparation companies, including TurboTax maker Intuit.

People with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $57,000 or less can select from more than a dozen online tax preparation services.  That means about 70 percent of all taxpayers, or 95 million people, are eligible to use these free services.

Intuit has supported the Tax Freedom Edition for nearly a decade. In that time, we’ve donated more than 22 million federal and state tax returns through TurboTax Tax Freedom Online, to low and middle-income taxpayers.

For tax year 2011, anyone who qualifies for EITC, or is on active duty military with an AGI of $57,000 or less, or has an AGI of $31,000 or less can use TurboTax Online Tax Freedom Edition. Please note, Turbotax Online Freedom Edition is not to be confused with our Free file available on TurboTax.com if you don’t meet these qualifications.

This year, TurboTax Online Tax Freedom Edition includes free tax advice from CPAs, IRS Enrolled Agents and tax attorneys via phone or chat. TurboTax is the only tax software to offer live one-to-one tax advice to everyone.

Through the TurboTax Online Tax Freedom Edition site, TurboTax also offers free state tax preparation to qualified taxpayers who file returns in 22 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

Additionally, anyone, regardless of their income, can use the Free File Fillable Forms at irs.gov. It’s a free, simple forms utility that’s basically the electronic equivalent of a paper 1040 along with associated schedules and forms. You just type in the numbers and it does the math for you.

Military Tax Tips

So it’s no mystery to me that members of the military sacrifice a great deal to defend us at home and abroad. Unfortunately, tax time may offer specific challenges to military personnel. As you get ready for tax season, here are a few tips to help make it as painless as possible:

1. Stay Organized Throughout the Year

One of the best things you can do is to stay organized throughout the year. If you will be away, coordinate with your partner to keep things organized for your taxes so that you are less stressed when it is time to file – and so that your partner can file if you are away.

2. Use Power of Attorney So Your Spouse Can File

One of the best things you can do is make sure your spouse has the proper power of attorney to ensure that your joint tax return can be filed. In most circumstances, both spouses have to sign a joint tax return. Power of attorney allows your spouse to sign on your behalf. If you will be unreachable during tax time, knowing that your spouse can take care of it provides peace of mind.

3. Extend Your Deadline

For certain qualifying members of the military, it is possible to extend deadlines related to filing tax returns and paying taxes for the period of service in a combat zone, plus 180 days after your last day in the combat zone. In addition to 180 days, extension periods may include additional days left before April tax filing deadlines when combat zones are entered.  For instance, if you entered a combat zone 46 days before the April tax filing deadline, you would receive a total 226-day extension.  No penalties or interest would be assessed during this time.  A little extra time might be all you need.

4. Moving and Travel Expenses

If you aren’t reimbursed for certain moving expenses related to a change of station, you might be able to deduct some expenses for yourself and your family members. You do need to be on Active Duty, though. For those on Reserve Duty, you can receive a deduction for your travel expenses if you have to go more than 100 miles to fulfill your duties.

5. Uniform Costs

Uniforms can be costly to buy and keep up. You want them to be in best condition. If your uniform can’t be used when off-duty due to military regulations, you can deduct some of the expenses associated with buying and maintaining the uniform. Realize that the amount of your deduction is offset by reimbursements and allowances you might receive.

6. Transition Expenses

Transitioning to civilian life can be tough. The IRS will allow you to deduct some of the costs associated with this change, though. Some of the expenses you may be able to deduct include resume preparation fees, agency fees, travel, and moving expenses related to the start of work at a new job location.

7. Don’t Pay Taxes on Combat Pay

Your time served as an enlisted person or warrant officer in a combat zone means that your pay isn’t taxed. In fact, if you serve in a combat zone for any part of a month, all of your military pay for the entire month is tax free. Depending on your tax bracket, those can be considerable savings. Make sure you keep records so that you aren’t paying taxes when you don’t need to.

8. Get Help with Your Taxes

Don’t go it alone when it comes to your taxes.  If you are active duty military, you may qualify to prepare your taxes using TurboTax Freedom Edition(Not to be confused with TurboTax Free Online).  TurboTax Freedom Edition is part of the Free File Alliance program in partnership with the IRS.   If you don’t meet the criteria to file your taxes using TurboTax Freedom Edition, you can use TurboTax Online.  TurboTax software guides you and easily helps you prepare your taxes.

Thank you for your service!

People with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $58,000 or less can select from more than a dozen online tax preparation services. That means about 70 percent of all taxpayers, or 95 million people, are eligible to use these free services.

Additionally, anyone, regardless of their income, can use the Free File Fillable Forms at irs.gov. It’s a free, simple forms utility that’s basically the electronic equivalent of a paper 1040 along with associated schedules and forms. You just type in the numbers and it does the math for you.

Intuit has supported this program for nearly a decade. In that time, we’ve donated more than 22 million federal and state tax returns through TurboTax Online to low and middle-income taxpayers.

For tax year 2010, anyone who qualifies for EITC, or is on active duty military with an AGI of $58,000 or less, or has an AGI of $31,000 or less can use TurboTax Online Tax Freedom Edition.

Additionally, through the IRS web site, TurboTax offers free state tax preparation to qualified taxpayers who file returns in 21 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

Yep, you read it right. There are plenty of free options to help you complete your taxes before the looming deadline, or after, if you’re going to throw in the towel and file for an extension. Doing that, by the way, officially makes you a tax slacker! Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

But where to start looking for all these amazing freebies, you ask? I know you won’t be surprised when I tell you that TurboTax has got you covered.

Got tax questions?

Here are some great ways to get free answers:

Facebook: All you Facebook fans can join TurboTax for our live TurboChat with tax expert, Bob Meighan, CPA tomorrow, Weds. April 14, 10-10:30 a.m. PST. You can ask any last-minute burning tax questions you’ve got.

TurboTax Live Community: Get answers to your tax and product questions from tax experts and other TurboTax customers through the Live Community. Since Live Community began, more than 10 million people have used it to easily search and find answers to their questions.

Twitter: Are you one of the almost 100 million people sending 140 character tweets to your friends on Twitter? This year, for the first time, you can simply tweet your question to @teamturbotax on Twitter to get tax and tech help. If you’re curious, see what people are saying about taxes on Twitter.

Of course, there are also lots of helpful (and free) FAQs online and, if you want to go old school, you can pick up the phone and contact TurboTax customer care.

Do your taxes for free:

Not only is TurboTax dishing out free answers, we’ve got free tax prep options for you too.

Free File: If your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less, you can prepare and e-file your federal return for free through the IRS Free File program at www.irs.gov.

TurboTax Online Free Edition: Got a simple tax return? Regardless of your income, you can prepare and e-file your federal return at no charge.

And, if you’re among the approximately 10 million people who choose to ignore April 15 altogether, you can file an extension through TurboTax.

For those of you who’re counting, ‘free’ shows up 10 times. That’s 10 good reasons to just get on with your taxes (for free). I think you get the message.

Intuit is a long-time supporter of free tax preparation and e-filing for low and middle-income taxpayers. We’re in the midst of tax season and folks are searching for the best and least expensive way to file their tax return. The IRS Free File Alliance program is one great way to file if you meet certain requirements.

Intuit is a long-time supporter of the Free File Alliance.  Raphael Tulino of the IRS spent some time explaining who the Free File Alliance solutions will work for, and a bit about what it is. Listen in as Consumerism Commentary podcasting gurus Flexo and Tom Dziubek chat Free File Alliance with Raphael.

It’s unfortunate that people filing simple tax returns are often prime targets for national tax preparation chains who advertise low fees for at 1040EZ. But once you’re in the door, you may find additional fees pile up and what you thought would cost $39.95 actually costs you $100 or more.

Don’t let that happen to you. The fact is, you can do your own taxes. Last year 40 million people did their own returns with software. And here’s where this gets really interesting – there are free options out there to help taxpayers like you keep more money in their pockets where it belongs.

Filers with simple returns should know about these free options:

• If you have an adjusted gross income of $57,000 or less, you can prepare and e-file your taxes through the IRS Free File program available at http://www.irs.gov.
• Taxpayers who don’t qualify for the Free File Program can use TurboTax Online Free Federal Edition at www.turbotax.com. There are no income or eligibility requirements. It’s designed especially for people filing simple federal taxes.

There are also some great tax resources available online where you can get more information or even answers to your tax questions.  We like Don’t Mess with Taxes, Tax Girl and WalletPop if you are looking for tax information.  If you have questions you need answered, TurboTax Live Community offers instant answers from other TurboTax customers and tax experts. And if you are a Twitter user, you can get answers to your questions on Twitter from @TeamTurboTax.

Best of all, these free tax resources mean you don’t have to spend your hard-earned money on something you can do yourself. They don’t call it an “EZ” for nothing!

Unfortunately, recent media coverage about California Ready Return might lead you to think otherwise. I wanted to share our position with you to give you a more complete picture of what we’ve done and what we plan to do.

Twenty companies, including Intuit, partner with the IRS and 20 states to provide free tax preparation and e-filing to lower-income taxpayers. The Free File Alliance, a successful, philanthropic public-private partnership, makes these services available for free to more than 70 percent of all Americans (that’s 98 million people).

We strongly support Free File as a better alternative for California and its taxpayers. Unlike the government-run Ready Return, Free File costs the state and taxpayers absolutely nothing.

The state of California faces a significant budget crisis, cutting funding to schools and other critical programs. With scarce dollars, we must look for real solutions, like the Free File program, that do not create new burdens for the state.

We can accomplish this in California by establishing a state Free File Program modeled on the federal version.  This approach will help provide free online tax return preparation and e-filing to anyone earning $57,000 a year or less.  It also means that state taxpayers would receive free tax preparation and e-filing for both their state and federal returns, as 20 other states already do. The state government-run programs, Ready Return and CalFile cannot do the same.

By including the federal tax return, the Free File Program outperforms the Ready Return and CalFile in another important respect. It helps California’s lower-income taxpayers claim refundable Federal tax credits, in particular the Earned Income Tax Credit – a federal credit for low-income families.   That means a lot of money to a lot of people.

The California Controller’s office says more than $1 billion of this money goes unclaimed by state taxpayers. Adopting California Free File could significantly close that gap for Californians, and at no cost to either the state budget or its taxpayers.

There are those who want government to prepare and send tax bills to everyone, something called a Return Free tax system.  That’s based on an assumption that many taxpayers — especially those without a higher education who may not speak English well – may be more likely to just pay a government tax bill.

The Free File Alliance has been a model for states.

However, others see real value in an individual’s participation in the current income tax system, where compliance is voluntary and we are managing our personal and family finances. They see a conflict of interest when the government prepares, collects and enforces tax policy.

Everyone agrees that the current system must be simplified so that it’s easier for you and I to do our taxes. We can do that by making the information that the government already receives, such as W-2 wages and 1099 financial earnings, available for automatic downloading into privately prepared returns.  TurboTax already does that, saving you time and increasing accuracy.

Taxpayers will clearly benefit if federal and state income tax agencies make tax-related data, like prior year tax returns, electronically accessible to be downloaded into tax returns – just like some tax software already does for W-2 and 1099 earnings info.

Making government data electronically available to download into returns would go a long way to making tax preparation easier for all of us. However, this innovative tax reform has not yet been formally proposed either by the California State government or by the IRS.

We’ll continue to support free tax preparation and filing for those who need it most at both the federal and state level. Not everyone will agree with our position. What we hope – and I believe should expect – is a balanced, thoughtful discussion that represents all points of view.

This year, the Free File Alliance and the IRS have agreed to important improvements to the program that establish higher standards for disclosure of state pricing and marketing. We fully support these reforms that further strengthen the Free File Program as a consumer ‘safe zone’ that bans all sales, marketing and advertising of ‘non-tax preparation’ products/services.

Intuit is continuing our long-standing involvement in the Free File Program as an important philanthropic, public-private partnership that delivers online tax services to lower- and middle-income taxpayers who need it most.

We have supported this program for nearly a decade. In that time, we’ve donated more than 20 million federal and state tax returns through TurboTax Online to those who need it most.

For tax year 2009, the IRS and the Free File Alliance will again offer the Free File Fillable Forms (FFFF). It’s a free, simple forms utility available on www.irs.gov that anyone can use. The forms utility is the electronic equivalent of a paper 1040 along with associated schedules and forms. Taxpayers can choose the forms they need and fill them in. The utility performs basic math and enables taxpayers to electronically file and/or print their forms.

Additionally, more than 70 percent of all taxpayers – or about 95 million people – with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $57,000 or less qualify for the overall Free File program.

For tax year 2009, the TurboTax free offer in the Free File Program is open to all taxpayers who qualify for EITC, active duty military with an AGI of $57,000 or less, plus all other taxpayers with an AGI of $31,000 or less.  Additionally, through the IRS web site, TurboTax offers free state tax preparation to qualified taxpayers in 20 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia.

We’re proud to be part of the Free File program, bringing easy to use online tax preparation services to those who need it most – for free.

TaxCast: The IRS on E-file