WASHINGTON, D.C. – With less than two months left until the tax deadline, the Free File Alliance, a coalition of industry-leading tax software companies partnered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), urged taxpayers to take advantage of the IRS Free File program. Thanks to the Free File Alliance’s partnership with the IRS, all taxpayers with a 2011 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $57,000 or less can use top tax software to prepare and e-file federal returns at no cost.

“IRS Free File provides free tax services for 100 million Americans, including those who may have been hit hard by the current economic climate,” said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. “Anyone who made $57,000 or less last year can go online and use brand-name tax software for free. There is no reason to wait. The software provided by Free File Alliance members will guide you through each step of the preparation and filing process.”

IRS Free File is available at www.irs.gov/freefile, which provides a list of Free File Alliance member companies. Users may either choose the one that fits their needs or utilize the “help me find a company” tool. After selecting a tax software company, users will be transferred to the company's website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. The service is also available in Spanish.

“The Free File Alliance is committed to making tax preparation and e-filing quick, easy and secure through our partnership with the IRS,” said Hugo. “Users can do their taxes when and where it is most convenient for them, and receive refunds in as little as 10 days.”

Free File Alliance member companies have continually worked with the IRS to strengthen the Free File program, and taxpayers have consistently reported that it is user-friendly and efficient. Responding to an IRS survey about last year’s program, 96 percent of users said they found Free File easy to use, while 98 percent said they would recommend the program to others.

About the Free File Alliance

The Free File Alliance, a coalition of 14 industry-leading tax software companies, has partnered with the IRS since 2003 to help low- and middle-income Americans prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns online. The Free File Alliance is committed to giving 70 percent of Americans free access to the industry’s top online tax preparation software. More than 33 million returns have been filed through IRS Free File since its inception. For more information, visit www.freefilealliance.org.