Ramsey County

Making $ense of Dollars and Cents

March 17, 2008

Free Online Tax Return Filing Available

          You may be able to file your federal tax return online free of charge, according to Debra Pankow, North Dakota State University Extension Service family economics specialist.

          The Internal Revenue Service and the Free File Alliance, a group of private tax software companies, have teamed up to create Free File, an income tax preparation and filing program. About half a dozen companies offer free filing through the program.

          The North Dakota Tax Department says you also may be able to go through Free File to file your state return if you meet certain criteria. The criteria might include qualifying for the earned income tax credit.

          For a list of companies that provide free e-filing, the forms they provide and the criteria you must meet, visit the North Dakota Tax Department Web site at http://www.nd.gov/tax/indincome/elecfiling/individual6-income-tax.html.        

          Be sure to take note of the following before e-filing:

* You must file your federal and state return using the same e-file provider, whether it is an online service or an off-the-shelf product.

* If you file your federal return by paper, you will not be able to e-file your state return.

* If you have any questions or problems with an electronic service provider's Web site, including error messages received while attempting to use its services, you must contact that service provider's customer service for help.  

          For more information about Free File, visit the IRS Web site at

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118993,00.html.

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524 4th Ave NE #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu