What is Free File?

[Pages:4]We hope the below Free File background and outreach materials can better inform your constituents, clients, taxpayers, and partners about this important and innovative public-private partnership during the upcoming tax season. We encourage you to use this information on your social media platforms and in your newsletters, press releases, op-eds or letters to the editor and other communications. Free File is available every year at freefile.

Questions? Please contact Dave Macklin at dave@.

What is Free File?

? Free File is a partnership between the IRS and brand-name tax software companies that has helped more than 50 million people since 2003 accurately prepare their tax returns, capturing all credits and deductions to maximize their refund, at no cost.

? This alliance enables 70 percent of all taxpayers ? individuals and families with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less for Tax Year 2017? to use the best-known and most trusted commercial tax preparation software products for free. There is no cost to the government to deliver this free service to hard-working Americans.

? Because the tax software companies donate their products, this program comes at no cost to the government, and in fact saves taxpayer dollars by encouraging e-filing versus filing paper returns.

? The tax software products ? the same popular products people buy every year ? make tax filing easy, walking taxpayers through the process of filing online, cutting down on errors and helping taxpayers get their refunds faster ? with no hidden costs or fees.

? Taxpayers can use Free File anywhere ? in the comfort of their own home, or anywhere that has a computer with Internet access. They just visit freefile and choose the product that's best for them.

? Free File has helped taxpayers save more than $1.3 billion in tax preparation fees since it began. And just as importantly, by enabling people to prepare their own returns, Free File empowers people to learn more about their taxes and take control of their financial life.

? Free File is a companion to other IRS programs that provide reliable tax preparation to the public at no cost, especially the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA services are offered through thousands of community-based organizations and connects taxpayers to IRS-certified volunteers who are trained ? and deeply passionate about ? preparing returns for eligible individuals and families. Some VITAs also provide taxpayers access to Free File products at their sites, designating computers, workstations and volunteers for coaching and encouragement as the taxpayer prepare his returns with the tax software.

Who is eligible for Free File?

? Free File is available to the 70 percent of Americans who made $66,000 or less in adjusted gross income in 2017.

? In 2018, twenty-two states and the District of Columbia will also have State Free File programs, ensuring these eligible residents can file both their federal and state tax returns for free. The Free File states are: AZ, AR, DC, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NC, ND, NY, OR, RI, SC, VT, VA, and WV.

Sample Twitter Content:

? Get free tax help through the IRS ? DIY with #FreeFile or in-person with #VITA. Learn what option is best for you at .

? 70% of all taxpayers are eligible to prepare their taxes at no cost through #FreeFile. Learn more at freefile.

? I'm proud to support #FreeFile and help taxpayers file their taxes for free. See if you qualify at freefile.

? Low- and moderate-income families may be eligible to file their taxes with #FreeFile. Learn more at freefile.

? #FreeFile saves both taxpayers and the government money. It's a win-win! Visit freefile. ? #FreeFile saves taxpayers time and money each tax season. Check to see if you're eligible

at freefile.

Sample Facebook Content:

? The IRS offers tax prep and filing at no cost to millions of people each year. For those seeking in-person assistance, IRS-certified volunteers are available at more than 12,000 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites nationwide to help maximize your refund free of charge without worrying about hidden fees. Or for those who want to file from home, check out Free File ? a do-it-yourself software solution that provides reputable and reliable tax software products at no cost. Learn what program is best for you at .

? 70 percent of all taxpayers are eligible to file their taxes using the Free File program. Visit IRS Free File to learn more and find out if you're eligible. freefile.

? I'm proud to support Free File, which helps eligible taxpayers file their taxes at no cost. Learn more: freefile.

? Free File helps low-and-moderate income families file their taxes at no cost and claim every credit and deduction they deserve. Visit IRS Free File to learn more: freefile.

? Free File helps eligible taxpayers save time and money during tax season. I'm proud to support the program and help my constituents file their taxes online at no cost. Follow the link to learn more: freefile.

? Government, the private sector and community groups work together to ensure that Free File doesn't just save tax filers money ? it saves all taxpayers money! Processing electronic returns is less expensive for the IRS, so Free File doesn't cost a dime of taxpayer money. Visit IRS Free File to learn more: freefile

? You can also post the following video to your social media accounts to explain the benefits of Free File: watch?v=VQF2yTq-6no

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ? [DATE] CONTACT: [ELECTED OFFICIAL CONTACT - PHONE NUMBER]

THE FREE FILE PROGRAM: AN EASY, NO COST WAY TO FILE YOUR TAXES

IRS, brand-name software companies partner to provide no cost tax filing services ? maximizing taxpayers' refunds with no hidden costs or fees

[CITY, STATE] ? [ELECTED OFFICIAL] today urged all residents to use the Free File program, a partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provides most Americans ? at no cost ? brand-name tax software so they can file their taxes for free and receive all the credits and deductions for which they are eligible.

Millions of taxpayers have benefited from Free File ? a partnership between the IRS, brand-name tax software companies, and community-based organizations. Since 2003, the Free File program has benefited more than 50 million people with an efficient, no cost way to prepare and securely file their taxes online while maximizing their refund. Free File provides access to reputable and reliable software that uses a simple interview-style process to help taxpayers identify all the credits and deductions for which they are eligible. This do-it-yourself solution allows taxpayers to use Free File anywhere ? in the comfort of their own home, or anywhere that has a computer with Internet access.

Free File is a companion to the IRS' other programs that provide reliable tax preparation to the public at no cost, especially the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA services are offered through thousands of community-based organizations and connects taxpayers to IRS-certified volunteers who are trained ? and deeply passionate about ? preparing returns for individuals and families. Some VITAs also provide taxpayers access to Free File products at their sites, designating computers, workstations and volunteers for coaching and encouragement as the taxpayer prepare his returns with the tax software.

"[INSERT CUSTOM QUOTE],"said [ELECTED OFFICIAL].

Free File saves taxpayers' money at tax time by helping them avoid tax preparation fees and ensuring their return is accurately completed. Since Free File debuted, taxpayers have saved more than $1.3 billion in tax preparation costs. At the same time, because these tax software companies donate their products to the IRS, this program comes at no cost to the government, and in fact saves money by promoting e-filing versus paper returns.

Each year, tens of thousands of Americans receive a smaller refund because they fail to claim all their eligible credits and deductions. Free File helps combat this problem, with no hidden costs or fees. The program also empowers taxpayers to learn more about their taxes and take control of their financial lives. About 70 percent of all taxpayers ? in general, those earning $66,000 or less in 2017 ? qualify for this program. Twenty-two states plus the District of Columbia also have state Free File programs, making it easy for eligible taxpayers to file both their federal and state tax return online at no cost.

To see if you qualify and learn more about the Free File program, visit: freefile.

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