I would like to start a list of states that allow you to E-File your tax return free of charge on their website. I think it is crazy that TaxCut wanted to charge me $15.95 for a service I can get for free.
Please add to the Quick Summary in alphabetical order. There are some exclusions, but I'll try to list AGI exclusions where applicable. I'll start it off....
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posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 10:02a
merrimac1
Member
posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 12:50p
No state tax in Washington. Hehe!
woowoo2
In the crosshairs
posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 1:03p
Thanks for this thread!
manish22
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 1:12p
Stupid cal file does not allow you to file if you have capital gain of capital gain distribution. This limitation is part of deal they have with tax software makers. So only people who dont own stocks or mutual funds are eligible.
EugeneV
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 1:49p
NY e-file was free (or even available?) only for NY residents last year. This year I haven't checked yet.
This may be a silly question, but I really would like to know...
If you buy TaxCut, can you just prepare your state and federal taxes using their program and then e-file for free on the state's tax website? (assuming you live in a free e-file state, like IL, which is where I live)
Alternatively, can you do your taxes with TaxCut and then print them out and mail them in?
I am new to the tax game, parents have done them in the past and this is my first year filing totally on my own, both federal and state.
Thanks for any info that you guys can provide!
leakwallet
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 2:01p
funguy2201 said: This may be a silly question, but I really would like to know...
If you buy TaxCut, can you just prepare your state and federal taxes using their program and then e-file for free on the state's tax website? (assuming you live in a free e-file state, like IL, which is where I live)
Alternatively, can you do your taxes with TaxCut and then print them out and mail them in?
I am new to the tax game, parents have done them in the past and this is my first year filing totally on my own, both federal and state.
Thanks for any info that you guys can provide!
Yes if you are eligible for free e-file. And of course you can always print them out and mail them in. Taxcut actually charges you for e-file. You can usually get the money back by rebate.
Funguy2201, you'll probably meet the requirements for free IRS I-file and if you're in a state that offers free file then you don't need TaxCut at all.
leakwallet said: funguy2201 said: This may be a silly question, but I really would like to know...
If you buy TaxCut, can you just prepare your state and federal taxes using their program and then e-file for free on the state's tax website? (assuming you live in a free e-file state, like IL, which is where I live)
Alternatively, can you do your taxes with TaxCut and then print them out and mail them in?
I am new to the tax game, parents have done them in the past and this is my first year filing totally on my own, both federal and state.
Thanks for any info that you guys can provide!
Yes if you are eligible for free e-file. And of course you can always print them out and mail them in. Taxcut actually charges you for e-file. You can usually get the money back by rebate.
Tax Cut only give you free federal e-file after rebate, you still have to pay $15.95 to e-file to your state. It depends on how your state works, but typically their e-file systems are proprietary, so unfortunatly you may have to input the info again into their system if you want to file free. Alternatively, yes, you can always print them out and mail for free, however if you are due a refund, it will take considerably longer to receive.
Last year I was eligible for free file through IRS's program and used TaxAct online. My federal return was free, but they wanted to charge me $7.95 to e-file the state return. I filled out the state return separately on my state's website so it would be free and all of my personal info was saved in their system from previous year, so it wasn't too much extra work.
gak
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 12, 2006 @ 3:36p
Back to the original topic, Kansas lets you efile for free. I have done it for the last three years (even though I bought the TaxCut State). I do not remember the link but I think you have to go to ksrevenue.org and follow the links from there.
We did the same last year. Used Taxcut to prepare both Federal and State tax returns. Then, e-filed the federal one, got the mail-in rebate for it so it ended up better than free after CashBack.
For state, we just printed the return from Taxcut as if we'd send it by mail. Then, used printout to enter the numbers on the Ohio I-file site. It was easier to print state return out and use that to enter numbers than go back and forth between browser and Taxcut. Owed State about $200 so IIRC we chose to have money directly debited from our checking account on the 10th of April or so. No fee for the debit thing unlike if we had chosen credit card where they have some processing fee. Was pretty convenient all around and free. I think we'll do it exactly the same way this year too.
Tried to use Ohio Efile last year. But the system could not find my info! So had to do paper again last year. I think I will try again this year.
feezybeezy
Thrifty Member
posted: Jan. 13, 2006 @ 9:17a
I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. I started a new job in July and moved from California to Virginia for it. Do I have to pay state taxes in both states? And if so, how would I go about in deciding how much of my income is proportioned to each state?
feezybeezy said: I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. I started a new job in July and moved from California to Virginia for it. Do I have to pay state taxes in both states? And if so, how would I go about in deciding how much of my income is proportioned to each state?
I can answer that, but I won't, because it is off topic...
aw the heck with it... the answer is check the website for BOTH states... I'm sure the answer is there!
Yes you do. You pay CA State tax for the money you earned in California and VA state tax for money you made from July to December in Virginia.
feezybeezy said: I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. I started a new job in July and moved from California to Virginia for it. Do I have to pay state taxes in both states? And if so, how would I go about in deciding how much of my income is proportioned to each state?
feezybeezy
Thrifty Member
posted: Jan. 13, 2006 @ 1:05p
philadelphiaLawyer said: Yes you do. You pay CA State tax for the money you earned in California and VA state tax for money you made from July to December in Virginia.
feezybeezy said: I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. I started a new job in July and moved from California to Virginia for it. Do I have to pay state taxes in both states? And if so, how would I go about in deciding how much of my income is proportioned to each state?
Thanks. that makes sense. That is also good because I didn't make any money while I lived in California for the first half of the year. Freaking California tax is way to high.
jowaju
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Jan. 18, 2006 @ 9:18a
Does anyone else read the TaxSlayer one as being completely, 100% free for Federal AND State Efile as long as AGI is less than $50k and you meet the other criterion?
Edit - "TAXSLAYER.com Free Offer and Company Information: Free federal and free state. TAXSLAYER is pleased to help hard working Americans by donating our web services for a free federal and a free state return to individuals and families who qualify based on the following:
*During calendar year 2005
You were age 25 or younger (taxpayer or spouse) and AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) was < $50,000 OR You were age 68 or older (taxpayer or spouse) and AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) was < $50,000 OR Qualified and claimed the Earned Income Credit (EITC) Taxpayers who qualify for one of the above offers must e-file their federal return through TAXSLAYER to receive the free offer for their state return.
In addition, in appreciation for the men and women who are serving this great country during this time of turmoil, TAXSLAYER is proud to also offer free federal and state online web tax preparation to active duty military personnel who's AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) is less than $50,000. This includes all active armed forces, federal reservist and National Guard personnel. The taxpayer or spouse must have a 2005 Form W-2, which qualifies you as active military. This offer includes preparation and e-filing of your Federal and State return.
And finally for those who cannot file their tax return by April 15th, TAXSLAYER will file your automatic extension for free.
Fee-based Offer Information: If you do not qualify for any of the free offers above, TAXSLAYER will prepare and e-file your federal and state return for "only" $9.95
Want to get started? Close this window and click the TAXSLAYER.com link on the main page. "
Are there any sites that will let you efile for free with an adjusted gross income GREATER than 50k. I remember filing for free last year. Tax Act requires <50k.
paytonc
Member
posted: Jan. 18, 2006 @ 11:50a
File your taxes as a Virginia resident, do a "nonresident" return for California showing only California income, and fill out a Schedule NR for Virginia (so as not to get taxed on California income there). You will need to choose residency in one state. (One year, I had income in three states. That was fun.)
TurboTax charges $24.95 for my free-file state -- hm. No. That's worth six minutes of my time to re-input the stuff at Illinois' site, since the state return's pretty easy once the federal one is done.
masamfigblu
Happy Member
posted: Jan. 19, 2006 @ 12:27p
Thank you manish22. I was trying to interpret the California eligibility rules and was beginning to get eyestrain trying to find everything. But reading your statement confirmed what I thought. Saved me a big headache.
jowaju said: Does anyone else read the TaxSlayer one as being completely, 100% free for Federal AND State Efile as long as AGI is less than $50k and you meet the other criterion? sjack827 said: Are there any sites that will let you efile for free with an adjusted gross income GREATER than 50k. I remember filing for free last year. Tax Act requires <50k.
TaxSlayer is free for both Fed & State if your AGI < $50k -- I used it last year. But if you read the reviews mentioned in the Quick Summary, you'll see you get what you pay for. Not exactly easy to use or understand -- but it does eventually get the job done.
TaxActOnline is free this year for Fed for everyone as stated on their website. State is $13, but this is easy to use and definitely worth it if you come from a State taxless state.
just want to say thanks to the poster who gave the info for fed taxes at taxact. i wonder if any other free services will popup in the next few weeks as people start collecting those wonderful w2s and 1099s
qrychefan
Happy Member
posted: Feb. 5, 2006 @ 11:53a
TaxAct is definatly free for everyone if you go directly to Taxact.com. BUT If you go through the IRS website and choose TAXACT it is only free for certain states and AGI below 50,000. We went through the taxact website and it took 3 hours to just get to enter 1 W2 I had three more to go, Plus their calculations were way off. I had done mine by hand and should get back 716 versus they said we owed 2,000+. On a message board I heard of others having problems with their calulations too. It was as if it ignored you had any taxes paid out of your paycheck. I gave up and used a returning customer offer from Turbotax (preparation free but paid 10.51 to efile). It took less than 30 minutes to complete.
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