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The free tax prep software IRS Free File opens to the public Friday

Taxes IRS AP
Posted at 10:59 AM, Jan 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-15 12:59:04-05

A free tax preparation software for individuals earning $72,000 or less each year opened to the public on Friday.

People can now begin using IRS Free File to file their 2020 federal income taxes. In 2020, 83,972 accounts in Colorado used Free File — that's up from 52,443 in 2019.

IRS Free File's early launch gives taxpayers to opportunity to claim credits such as the Recovery Rebate Credit and other deductions.

Leading tax software providers have partnered with the Internal Revenue Service for 19 years to provide this free online service. Of those services, nine are in English and two are in Spanish.

IRS Free File online products are available to any taxpayer or family who earned $72,000 or less in 2020, according to the IRS. The software accepts complete tax returns and holds them until they can be filed electronically once the IRS has started processing returns.

IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said the IRS Free File offers taxpayers a free way to do their taxes from their homes and claim the tax credits and deductions that they are due.

“We encourage eligible taxpayers to take a look at using Free File, MilTax and similar free online tax preparation products this year, to follow the lead of over 4 million people who took advantage of these free services just last year," Rettig said. "An IRS tax refund is often the single largest payment families receive during the year. We know how critical that refund is, especially this year."

To find the right IRS Free File product for you, visit IRS.gov/FreeFile. Use the “Free File Online Look up” tool or "Browse All Offers" tool to find the right product. Then, select the product and follow the links to the provider's website to begin the process. If you don't have a commuter, you can use IRS Free File's mobile phone options.