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Free File Program Changing

free fileThe Free File program, which enables some taxpayers to use online tax preparation software for free, is receiving. The biggest change is software providers are being barred from pitching Free File users on services or products for which they charge.

The significant retooling is designed to make using the program more user friendly and more secure, according to the Internal Revenue Service, which said this week it and the members of the Free File Alliance have agreed to the changes.

The changes extend an existing memorandum of understanding by one year to Oct. 31, 2021.

Among the changes are the following:                                                                                          *Software companies must remove buttons or links on their Free File landing pages, which would take taxpayers to non-Free File programs.                                                                                                   *To qualify for the service, taxpayers must use IRS.gov to connect to a company offering Free File. Taxpayers who do not qualify for one free filing offer will be automatically returned to the IRS Free File landing page on IRS.gov so they can ascertain if they qualify for another.                                                            *Taxpayers who used Free File services from any company last year must try Free File as their first option after logging in before receiving any other offers from that provider.                                                           *Follow-up emails will be sent to welcome last year’s users to Free File this year. These communications must not contain information about any non-Free File service or product or any marketing or soliciting, except for free or paid state tax preparation offers.

About 12 companies participate annually in the Free File Alliance. Services are available to any taxpayer earning $66,000 or less annually. Some providers offer free services for both federal and state tax preparation.

 

 

 

Bob Scott
Bob Scott has provided information to the tax and accounting community since 1991, first as technology editor of Accounting Today, and from 1997 through 2009 as editor of its sister publication, Accounting Technology. He is known throughout the industry for his depth of knowledge and for his high journalistic standards.  Scott has made frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist and events serving tax and accounting professionals. He  has a strong background in computer journalism as an editor with two former trade publications, Computer+Software News and MIS Week and spent several years with weekly and daily newspapers in Morris County New Jersey prior to that.  A graduate of Indiana University with a degree in journalism, Bob is a native of Madison, Ind
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