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**IRS Free File Program background:**  It's all about the free tax software from leading tax companies.

A few years back when I was working for a large tax software company there was talk within the company indicating the IRS was looking to establish free tax preparation for everyone.  As you may imagine this did not go over well with the various “for profit” tax concerns including my former employer.  After some serious lobbying a compromise was made and software companies agreed to include free tax software under certain conditions with their paid software lineup. 

As a result we now have the IRS free filing program (This is in addition to the already free tax preparation done through the IRS’s low income tax clinics).  Between the two programs an estimated 70% of taxpayers can either do their federal returns for free using leading tax software or have their returns prepared at one of the clinics.  These programs do not include state help.   However, many States also implemented similar programs and have help for low income taxpayers.  

**2018 Status:**

As of today, December 9, 2017 there is no available software to review.  This is not unusual since companies are still working on their programs.  Generally you will start to see movement on the IRS website sometime in January 2018. 

**Not available, why post?**

 If you would like to take advantage of the free program I would suggest you allow enough time to do some research.  Most likely there will be several options with varying degrees of support (if any) and varying amounts of forms and service that will be free.  You will want to find what works best for you.  This may not be a fast and easy task so I would advise you begin your research as soon as possible.  

For more information about the program visit the IRS website directly.  I have provided a link below or just search the IRS website at www.IRS.gov.

[IRS Free Filing Program](https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/about-the-free-file-program)

(This link in for the 2016 tax year and may change once the 2017 information is made available.  I plan on using this service myself this year and will update with another post).

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12/9/2017
www.fivecents.org