Improved Free File program now open

SAN DIEGO — The IRS and its private-sector partners have announced the opening of this year’s Free File program with a series of improvements and changes. The free tax preparation and free electronic filing initiative begins its fifth year with consumer-friendly features and expanded services for Spanish-speaking taxpayers.

Seventy percent of the nation’s taxpayers – those with an adjusted gross income of $52,000 or less – are eligible for Free File. Each company sets its own criteria for who can use the service. The program is available only through IRS.gov.

“Taxpayers should review the Free File offerings and see which one works best for them,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.

Among the changes and features of this year’s program, taxpayers will be able to use Free File to request the Telephone Excise Tax Refund; two companies will offer Free File in Spanish; some Alliance members are offering the state return for free and taxpayers can use Free File to file a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File.