April 15 filing deadline looms for Arkansas taxpayers

April 15 filing deadline looms for Arkansas taxpayers

The deadline to file federal and state taxes is less than a month away. If you have been delaying your filing over concerns about the upfront costs, then I want to draw your attention to the IRS Free File program.

Through Free File, all taxpayers who made $62,000 or less in 2015 can visit www.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost.

About 100 million Americans – or 70 percent of taxpayers – are eligible. In addition, Free File offers a basic e-filing service for everyone, regardless of income. Taxpayers can also use Free File to e-file an extension.

Each company sets its own eligibility criteria for a free Federal return. Some companies offer free state tax returns; some charge a fee. Review each company's offer carefully. The IRS’s website features a list of all major tax preparations services and details of their offers.

Once at the company's website, review their information to ensure it meets your needs.

Answer these simple questions on income, age, state residency, eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit and military status to find out which software you can use.

Free File is made possible through a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a non-profit coalition of leading tax software companies. To learn more about the program, visit www.irs.gov/freefile. Meanwhile if you made more than $62,000 and need to pay for tax preparation service, the Arkansas Attorney General Offers the following advice:

• Compare the prices and fees of multiple preparers. Prices can vary significantly.

• Check the qualifications and reputation of the person handling your personal information. You are responsible for the information submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

• Make sure the preparer has a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS.

• Ask whether your tax preparer is open throughout the year in case you or the IRS have follow-up questions.

I hope the programs made available this year make tax filing season a little easier for you and your family.

From State Representative Deborh Ferguson