Free online tax filing services

[guspasho]

Free online tax filing services

Last year, through the IRS website, I found H&R Block to file my federal income taxes for free. However last year I also lived in the state of Washington which does not have a state income tax. This year, however, I live in Oregon, which does, but H&R Block, while still offering to process federal tax returns for free, charges $15 for state returns. Does anyone know who offers free online filing services for state income tax returns? The IRS site is annoyingly difficult to navigate or determine whether I am even being led in the correct direction.

 

[DurfBarian]

Gah . . . something about "free online services" and "let's input all our income figures and SSN" makes me shudder fiercely. I guess big names like H&R Block are trustworthy enough, but ergh . . . Guspasho, how complex are your returns? Do you have all kinds of renter's credits and other deductions making it tough to do by hand?

 

[Anakha1]

I thought this thread said "Free Online Sex Filing Services" and I was thinking "WTF? They need me to register my sex life now? Stupid government fascists" and then I remembered that I work for those government fascists and everything was ok. Then I reread the thread title and everything was just super.

That's my story. Carry on.

 

[guspasho]

My taxes are about as simple as anyone's can possibly be. But the main reason I am interested is speed - last year when I e-filed online it took only two weeks to get my return, which I was told was a lot faster than if I filed by snail-mail. The problem is that unless I file both state and federal together electronically I must file my state return snail-mail. And though it did not say, I worry that this might slow down my federal return as well.

 

[guspasho]

I thought this thread said "Free Online Sex Filing Services" and I was thinking "WTF? They need me to register my sex life now? Stupid government fascists" and then I remembered that I work for those government fascists and everything was ok. Then I reread the thread title and everything was just super.

That's my story. Carry on.

Well, Anakha1, that really depends on how you earned your income last year

 

[Anakha1]

Well, Anakha1, that really depends on how you earned your income last year

Uhhh... That was self-employment! I don't have to say what I was doing!! Ack!

 

[zodiac66]

Gus, it shouldn't slow down your federal return at all. You should receive an email (if you haven't already) telling you the IRS has accepted your return. Last year, I filed with Turbo tax and they did the state as well for free. I tried HR Block this year and they wanted to charge me as well. I will just send it in snail mail. The paultry sum I will be receiving isn't worth the charge.

 

[maccool]

Just to echo what Zodiac said, filing your federal return won't affect your Oregon return speed and vice versa. If you file this early, you'll be way ahead of the curve. Quit complaining and send it in

What Oregon does, at least when I was there, is take you at your word when you report your federal stuff. If things aren't kosher, they'll let you know. Heck, once they sent me an extra 90 bucks because I messed up in their favor.

 

[Starfishied]

Man, y'all are whining at a $15 fee? I've been paying $30 every year.

 

[Crispyknight]

Instead of worrying about how fast you can get your "refund" why dont you just up your exemptions so the money isn't taken out of your check in the first place?

 

[zodiac66]

Instead of worrying about how fast you can get your "refund" why dont you just up your exemptions so the money isn't taken out of your check in the first place?

Most people do. Some people have what are called deductions and credits.. you cannot get them until you file. I claim 5 expemptions..but I am still waiting for my refund. I had medical bills out the wazoo (deduction), student loan interest (deduction), 2 kids (EIC and child tax credit). All these, with the exception of EIC cannot be claimed in advance.

Starfishied, why are you paying 30 dollars a year?

 

[Crispyknight]

Of course people have exemptions and child credits and the like. If you're still getting a large refund, up your exemptions again. I'm single, but claim four exemptions, and this year I had to write a check for 17 dollars to the feds. I eliminated my yearly interest-free loan to the government, and dont really care how fast my payment travels through the mail.

 

[zodiac66]

Of course people have exemptions and child credits and the like. If you're still getting a large refund, up your exemptions again. I'm single, but claim four exemptions, and this year I had to write a check for 17 dollars to the feds. I eliminated my yearly interest-free loan to the government, and dont really care how fast my payment travels through the mail.

Even if I upped my expemptions to the max, I would still get a hefty refund.

Some people need to have their tax refund ASAP. I have been laid off for the season and have received a grand total of $657.00 since the week of Christmas. I need that refund now, not in 6 weeks via snail mail.

 

[Starfishied]

Starfishied, why are you paying 30 dollars a year?

That's what my tax preparer charges me. Sucks ha?

 

[zodiac66]

My taxes are about as simple as anyone's can possibly be. But the main reason I am interested is speed - last year when I e-filed online it took only two weeks to get my return, which I was told was a lot faster than if I filed by snail-mail. The problem is that unless I file both state and federal together electronically I must file my state return snail-mail. And though it did not say, I worry that this might slow down my federal return as well.

Did you get your refund yet? Mine is slated to hit my account Friday. Good thing, I have a long list of stuff I would like to buy.

 

[Corneo]

I volunteer through my school (Cal Poly Pomona) preparing returns. It's called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), and it's sponsored by the IRS. If your income was less than 50k, then you might want to try that out.

You got to Cal Poly Pomona?!

 

[Ash Housewares]

my friend goes to cal poly pomona, say hi to him for me