IRS Free File allows you to prepare and file your federal tax return online through guided tax preparation, on a partner IRS site, or through fillable Free File forms. A federal return is secure, easy, and free. Most tax preparers prepare, file, or help with general tax forms. Beyond these basic services, a tax preparer can also defend a taxpayer before the IRS.
This includes audits and tax court matters. However, the extent of what a tax preparer can do depends on your credentials and whether you have representation rights. Tax preparers must efficiently and securely access and manage their customers' sensitive information. At some tax sites, taxpayers also have the option of preparing their own basic federal and state tax return for free using web-based tax preparation software with an IRS-certified volunteer who will guide you through the process.
Depending on experience levels, your client list and the specific characteristics of your business, the types of tax returns a preparer will work on can range from an individual income tax return, Form 1040, to a corporate income tax return, the Form 1120, up to the interpretation of complex partnership agreements. This non-profit public-private partnership is dedicated to helping millions of people prepare and file their federal taxes online for free. But how do you become a tax preparer? What types of qualifications are needed? What tools are available to increase your productivity? And what does a tax preparer do on a day-to-day basis? The IRS Free File PPP program is not a traditional contractual agreement; this partnership represents a balance between joint responsibility and collaboration that serves the interests of taxpayers and the federal government. Talk to your trusted Liberty tax advisor to learn more about accounting and small business services.
However, tax preparers are often looking to get more business work, and their 1040 clients are a bridge to that professional goal. Tax preparation is a booming profession that provides a necessary and welcome service to the community. To receive a free federal tax return, you must select an IRS Free File provider on the Search All Offers page or in the results of the online search tool. Checkpoint Edge by Thomson Reuters is another resource for tax professionals looking to do their jobs with more accuracy, confidence and daily news updates.
The IRS Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. Ken Kuykendall, PwC fiscal leader in the U.S. Department of State, explains how taxes can be seen as a strategic business partner that can add value to any strategic priority. Packed with powerful time-saving tools and features, UltraTax CS provides preparers access to federal, state and local tax programs, including individual, corporate, corporate, estate and trust tax returns, multi-state returns, and many others.
You can use Direct Pay to pay your individual tax bill or the estimated tax payment from your checking or savings account for free.
