IR-2022-14, January 14, 2022
WASHINGTON — The IRS today announced the availability of Free ob体育, providing taxpayers online tax preparation products available at no charge. Today's launch of IRS Free ob体育, available only through IRS.gov, provides people an early opportunity to file their taxes and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, the enhanced Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other important credits. Taxpayers can use Free ob体育 to claim the remaining amount of their Child Tax Credit and claim any advance payments of the Child Tax Credit they did not receive in 2021.
Leading tax software providers make their online products available for free as part of a 20-year partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. This year, there are eight products in English and two in Spanish. IRS Free ob体育 is available to any person or family who earned $73,000 or less in 2021.
"Free ob体育 is part of a wide selection of services available on IRS.gov to help people file taxes during this challenging period," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "IRS Free ob体育 offers taxpayers an easy, free way to do their taxes from the safety of their own home. Free ob体育 also provides electronic filing with direct deposit, which is the best way to avoid delays and receive refunds quickly and securely."
Because the filing season starts on January 24, 2022, IRS Free ob体育 providers will accept completed tax returns and hold them until they can be filed electronically on that date. The Free ob体育 Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, will be available on January 24, 2022. Free ob体育 Fillable Forms is available for use by everyone, regardless of income, but should be used only by people who are comfortable preparing their own taxes.
Other important information related to the January 24 start of tax season is available on IRS.gov, including important filing tips.
How IRS Free ob体育 works
Each IRS Free ob体育 provider sets its own eligibility rules for products based on age, income, and state residency. However, for those who make $73,000 or less, they will find at least one product that matches their needs, and usually more. Some providers also offer free state income tax return preparation. [Some state tax benefits, such as state Earned Income Tax Credits, are based on information contained on the taxpayer's federal income tax return. Taxpayers are encouraged to check with their about state tax benefits and requirements to file a state income tax return.] Active-duty military can use any IRS Free ob体育 product if their income was $73,000 or less.
Here's a step-by-step overview of how to find the right Free ob体育 product:
- Go to IRS.gov/freefile.
- Use the "Choose an IRS Free ob体育 Offer" tool for help in finding the right product, or
- Review each offer by a provider using the "Browse All" tool.
- Select a product.
- Follow links to the provider's website to begin a tax return.
No computer? No problem. Taxpayers can complete and file their tax return using IRS Free ob体育 products through smart phones or tablets.
Child Tax Credit, 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax benefits
IRS Free ob体育 is all taxpayers need to claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC), 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, and other tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
The IRS also continues to urge people who received one or more advance Child Tax Credit payments in 2021 to carefully review their taxes before filing. Families who received advance payments will need to compare the advance Child Tax Credit payments they received in 2021 with the amount of the Child Tax Credit they can properly claim on their 2021 tax return. To help taxpayers who received an advance Child Tax Credit payment, the IRS started sending Letter 6419, 2021 Advance CTC, in late December 2021.
The letter contains important information on advance Child Tax Credit payments that can help ensure the tax return is accurate. People who received the advance CTC payments can also check the amount of their payments by using the CTC Update Portal available on IRS.gov.
In late January, the IRS will begin sending Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact Payment, to individuals who received a third stimulus payment in 2021, including initial and "plus-up" payments. While most eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments, or stimulus payments, this letter will help them determine if they are eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit for missing stimulus payments. If so, they must file a 2021 tax return to claim this credit. People can also use IRS online account to view both payment amounts.
IRS Free ob体育 also can be used by workers to claim the EITC, which provides a refundable tax credit based on a filer's income and family size.
Please remember that unemployment benefits paid by states are taxable income. States should send Forms 1099-G to those who received jobless benefits.
IRS Free ob体育 participants
For 2022, these providers are participating in IRS Free ob体育:
- 1040Now.NET
- ezTaxReturn.com (available in Spanish)
- FreeTaxReturn.com INC
- ob体育YourTaxes.com
- On-Line Taxes at OLT.com
- TaxAct
- FreeTaxUSA ?
- TaxSlayer (coming soon in Spanish)