<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Here's who is eligible for a higher tax refund this year"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">More people are filing their taxes using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">Free File</a> this year, the IRS said.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Use of IRS Free File is up 9.7% from a year earlier to 943,000 through Feb. 24, the IRS said. Free File allows any taxpayer with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023 to file taxes for free through one of eight IRS partners. To access the service, go online at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">IRS Free File</a> and use guided software.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">If you're eligible, a free filing can save you a pretty penny. An individual taxpayer is estimated to spend 13 hours and $240 out-of-pocket costs just to prepare and file one annual tax return, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ARC22_MSP_Glance.pdf" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">Taxpayer Advocate's 2022 annual report to Congress</a>. Taxpayer Advocate is an independent organization within the IRS that helps protect taxpayers' rights.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_mt">Who are IRS partners for Free File?</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">For 2024, trusted partners participating in IRS Free File are:</p><ul class="gnt_ar_b_ul"><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">1040Now</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">Drake (1040.com)</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">ezTaxReturn.com</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">FileYourTaxes.com</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">On-Line Taxes</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">TaxAct</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA)</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">TaxSlayer</li></ul><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_mt">Are there other ways to file my taxes free?</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Yes, the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"> VITA sites offer free tax help to:</p><ul class="gnt_ar_b_ul"><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">People who generally make $64,000 or less</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">Persons with disabilities; and</li><li class="gnt_ar_b_ul_li">Limited English-speaking taxpayers</li></ul><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">TCE offers free tax help, particularly for those who are at least 60 years old. The organization specializes in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/taxes/2024/03/04/irs-free-file-tax-filings-rise/72840240007/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>