Do It Yourself Online Tax Filing Freeware
- 1). Collect all of your tax documents. These include, but are not limited to: W-2s, 1099s, Business Income and Expense Worksheets, and Capital Gains and Dividend Worksheets.
- 2). Go to irs.gov. The website includes a link to a free file page. Click on the link. If you don't see the link, you can search within the IRS website for "free file." Click on the link that pops up.
- 3). Click on one of two possible links on the free file page. The IRS offers the ability to choose your free file agency or to get help choosing the free file agency. If it's your first time filing online, use the help link. Once you choose the help link, a page will appear in which you can input personal information and the IRS will offer some suggestions. Click on one of the suggestions to go to a free file program.
- 4). Enter your personal information. The free file website comes in a data entry format. You will input your information, such as name, address, phone number, date of birth and social security numbers. The site will then take that information and use it throughout the document so that you don't have to re-enter it.
- 5). Enter your work income information. You will need your W-2s out and ready to go. You will enter W-2 data, such as your name, employer's name, employer's ID #, wages, social security payments, federal tax payments, etc. Take a look at your W-2. The boxes are numbered (1 to 14). The free file data entry will follow this number pattern. In other words, the first item you will have to enter on the web site would be box 1 from your W-2 and so forth.
- 6). Enter any additional income. Pull together all of your interest income, business income, dividends, and/or miscellaneous income forms that you may have. The website will prompt you to enter this information.
- 7). Enter your deductions. If the website offers to guide you through your deductions, take the help. Pull out your receipts. You may qualify for a deduction that is higher than the standard deductions based on your past year's expenditures, such as real property taxes, charitable contributions, losses and medical expenses.
- 8). Review your tax return. Make a copy of your tax return and review it for accuracy. Check for errors in your data entry. If you did, use the browser back button to correct your return. Once the return is accurate, make a copy or two for your files, then send the return electronically to the IRS.
- 9). File your state return. However, for a few bucks, the free file program will transfer the information entered into your federal return into your state return. You will only have to answer a few questions, then you will be complete. You can electronically file that as well.
Source...