- 1). Visit the IRS website, which has a list of companies that provide free federal filing if you meet the requirements. Choose a company from this page to follow the link. Even if you don't meet the requirements for filing your federal for free, you can use one of these companies and pay a small fee for filing.
- 2). Choose a user name and password to set up your account. Some companies will ask for your name, address and Social Security number at start up, but most only require a user name and password to set up your account. Once you have created your account, you can start your federal tax return.
- 3). Follow the prompts that will ask for your personal information. This is the information that will be on your tax returns, so make your entries complete. Online companies will expect you to enter the information on your W-2, 1099 forms and any other documents that you have to claim income. You will enter the company name, federal identification number and all entries as they appear on the tax forms.
- 4). Enter your state information. If you are going to file your state taxes at the same time, you will complete the state after the federal return. All the information that you enter on your federal return will be transferred to your state return should you decide to file both at the same time.
- 5). Follow the prompts to complete your income, deductions, exemptions, credits and state information. At the end of the filing, the system will check for errors and direct you to make any corrections. Once you have completed this task, you will be asked if you want to file electronically or print and mail your return. Choose to e-file your federal and state returns or just your federal.
- 6). Select the method of receiving your refund or how you will pay the amount owed. Select direct deposit and enter your routing number and account number or select by mail. If you must pay the filing fee, you will be asked to enter a credit card or debit card number. After the card is verified, the system will tell you to submit the tax returns. You can print your returns for your records at this time.
- 7). Check your email daily. You will receive an email telling you that your taxes went through to the company. Another email a day or two later will tell you if the government agencies accepted your returns or if they were rejected. If a return is rejected, sign back into the system and follow the prompts to make corrections that you will be guided to.
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