Re: OT Filing for free vs Free File, was Re: Simple software for a scanner … LIDE 700F)
On Mon 09 Mar 2020 at 14:50:18 (-0000), Curt wrote:
> On 2020-03-09, David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> wrote:
> > On Fri 06 Mar 2020 at 12:17:23 (-0500), rhkramer@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >> Background: I'm trying to do taxes for a few of my friends using H&R Block's
> >> free online software (they qualify, as all their income is due to wages).
> >
> > One hopes that you've distinguished between 'filing for "free"' and
> > the actual IRS Free File Program.
> >
> > https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/about-the-free-file-program
>
> As usual I'm uncertain what you're driving at here, and what distinction should
> be made, as H&R Block participates in the IRS Free File Program.
>
> https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
>
> https://www.hrblock.com/ffa/?otpPartnerID=180&campaignID=pw_mcm_180_0001
> Receive a free Federal return if:
> Your Adjusted Gross Income is $69,000 or less, AND your age is between 17 and 51, OR
> You are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, OR
> Free for Active Military for Adjusted Gross Income of $69,000 or less
> Same criteria apply when filing with a foreign address
> Free state return if you qualify for the federal return
>
> I must be missing something once again.
>
> I personally ended up paying 30 bucks to efile because Turbo Tax (into whose
> freefile criteria I fit this year) is unable to put 'NRA' into an SSN numerical
> field (which is what you do when you're married filing separately and your NRA
> spouse neither has nor requires a TIN), whereas another firm across the cyber
> street can and does (but for a fee, as I don't match their criteria for a
> freebie).
Using TT as an example, the alleged difference is between starting at
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp
and
https://freefile.intuit.com/
Obviously I'm not giving advice on either (which would probably be
illegal) and don't know anyone's tax status, nor what services they
use. I'm just pointing out that you might find a difference in the
bottom line, which might be worth checking out if you use these
services (or any company participating in the Free File Program).
I'm reminded of applying for an ESTA, where you could start at
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
and pay $14, or pay different amounts using any number of other sites.
Cheers,
David.
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