Free tax filing for 60% of all tax-payers in the US :)

In a joint effort between the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a consortium of tax software companies, the IRS will allow at least 60% percent of US individual taxpayers to file for free, under the Free File Alliance LLC.

"The IRS.gov Web site already is one of the busiest in the world. We urge taxpayers to give it a try this year. They will find it helpful and easy to use," IRS Acting Commissioner Bob Wenzel said. "We're trying to provide taxpayers with as many options as possible to get help when they need it. IRS.gov is at the ready with a click of a mouse."

Key changes being introduced for the 2003 filing season include :-

Taxpayers can check on the status of their refund by visiting Where's My Refund?
And for the for the first time, more than 60 percent of all taxpayers will be able to prepare and electronically file tax returns for free on the Internet. The Free File program, offered through IRS private-sector partners, will be available beginning in mid-January through IRS.gov.

While the 60 percent minimum would make 78 million filers eligible this year, the IRS said it expects a smaller number -- 54 million -- to electronically file. Still, that would be an almost 15 percent increase from the 47 million e-filers in the 2002 filing season.

AS the IRS say "For the 2003 filing season, help is just a computer click or telephone call away."

(Ed note... For the past 4 years, I have filed ellectronically, and loved it. I actually look forward to filing this year, just awaiting my employers to give me my W2's so I can start the process of filing. Filing on the web is painless, especially with Direct Deposit of my refund, over the past few years I have recieved both my State (MA) and Federal refunds in less than 8 days! )

News source: Yahoo News