IRS expands free online filing program

[January 15, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Want a quick tax refund? File your federal tax returns electronically.

With tax season approaching, the Internal Revenue Service said on Wednesday it is expanding a program that enables taxpayers to file returns online at no charge, promising refunds much faster than for those who mail in paper forms.

Taxpayers who file electronically can receive refunds in as few as 10 days, compared to six to eight weeks for those filing paper returns, according to the IRS. The IRS e-file system becomes available Friday.

"Pretty much anybody at any income level can take advantage of these services," said David Williams, the IRS director of Electronic Tax Administration.

Taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $56,000 or less, or about 70 percent of all taxpayers, can use a Free File computer program that walks them through the filing process step by step, much like a tax preparer would, Williams said.

Taxpayers with higher incomes can fill out and file their tax forms online, just like they would on paper, he said.

Nearly 90 million taxpayers filed online last year, about 58 percent of all returns. The IRS Oversight Board, which oversees the IRS, has set a goal of having 80 percent of taxpayers file online by 2012.

The IRS e-file system can be found at http://www.irs.gov/.

[Associated Press]

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