Free File Tops 50 Million Users Continuing to Serve the American Taxpayers

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The Free File Program is pleased to announce that the Free File Alliance, the pioneering public-private partnership between industry-leading tax software companies and the IRS, that makes free tax software available to 70 percent of taxpayers, recently surpassed 50 million users since the program started.

Since 2003, the Free File Alliance and its members have saved 50 million taxpayers in free tax services valued at approximately $1.5 billion based on a conservative estimate of $30 per tax software product.

Tim Hugo, Free File Alliance Executive Director, stated, “This program continues to be a unique and very successful public-private partnership between a nonprofit coalition of industry-leading tax software companies and the IRS to serve the American Taxpayers.  Passing 50 million taxpayers served is a tremendous achievement and Free File will continue to work with the IRS to continue to improve this service for the American Taxpayers.”

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said, “Reaching 50 million users and achieving $1.5 billion in taxpayer savings mark important milestones for the Free File initiative.  The Free File effort shows how the public and private sectors can work together to provide a critical service to the nation’s taxpayers. After 14 years, this innovative program continues to break new ground as it evolves to meet people’s needs.”

With just a few days left until the tax deadline on April 18th, the Free File Alliance reminds taxpayers that free tax solutions are available to all Americans at IRS-Free File Alliance.  Taxpayers who earned $64,000 AGI (adjusted gross income) or less can choose from among a dozen, brand-name software products offered by leading private-sector companies for free. Taxpayers who made more than $64,000 AGI may use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of Internal Revenue Service paper forms.

“Every American taxpayer can and should take advantage of the Free File program,” said Hugo, “Whether you need to e-file a tax return or an extension, Free File is the fast, safe and free way to tackle your taxes. Free File is also the only place where the industry’s best tax software is available at one place and at no cost. Simply visit www.IRS.gov/freefile and choose the software offering that fits your tax needs.”

Hugo also stated that the Free File Alliance now offers taxpayers the ability to use their smart phones or tablets to electronically prepare and file their federal and state tax returns through the IRS/ Free File Alliance. This new design allows for the use of desktops, laptops, mobile phones and tablets.  It can be accessed using mobile devices in two ways: (1) Use the IRS app, IRS2go, which has a link to the Free File Software Lookup Tool or (2) use the device’s browser to go to www.IRS.gov/freefile to find the software product that matches your situation. The IRS2Go app is available for Android and iOS devices.

Free File Alliance member companies have continually worked with the IRS to strengthen the Free File program, and taxpayers have consistently reported that it is user-friendly and efficient. Responding to a 2009 IRS survey, 96 percent of users said they found Free File easy to use, while 98 percent said they would recommend the program to others.

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