Why doesn't the IRS just allow you to do your entire income tax return online?

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They should set it up so that you simply enter all the amounts into forms right on their web site, and then submit your return online. If you have to pay extra, then they give you a payment page. If they owe you a refund, then you give them either your address to mail the check to or your bank account for direct deposit. Why should anyone have to buy software to fill out and complete your return? In this day and age, you should just be able to fill it out on their web site. Or, would this put TurboTax and others out of business.

[sandnsea]

1. Privatization!!

You can do your taxes online. If you make below a certain income, it's free too. I don't remember what it is. I also don't think it's very expensive for simple tax returns. I think they do it this way because lots of people use these programs for their bookkeeping and it was the easiest way to accommodate the most people.

[Book Lover]

2. There are free online filers

The IRS website makes it pretty clear, actually.

[salvorhardin]

3. Right

The IRS licenses commercial companies to offer FREE online filing if your adjusted gross income is $52,000 or less. The full list is here: http://www.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/index.jsp?ck

For instance, this is H&R Block's freefile service: http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/partner/index.jsp?otpPartnerId=180

Note: I do not endorse or recommend that service. It is only an example. Always use the IRS list to go to a freefile service to make sure that it is an authorized IRS partner.

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8. Thanks

[hfojvt]

10. be wary though

they try to sell you one of their refund loans, which are a rip-off IMO.

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11. I'm just doing it the old-fashioned way, on paper this year. I think the IRS should

set up their web site so that most people can simply enter the numbers in, click "Submit" and be done with it in a few minutes. Businesses, of course, and people with complex investments, are still probably going to have to hire someone to help them.

[Joe for Clark]

4. They do.

I don't know I would advise it - but they do.

The problem is some (many) returns have deeper issues than just sticking numbers in a form.

Joe

[patricia92243]

5. My state offered it for free and it did the federal at the same time. Wrote in my account # and re

refund went in automatically.

Check your's state Department of Revenue and see if they offer a free on-line form

[hedgehog]

6. Taxes have become much more complicated in recent years.

Each special tax credit or deduction requires its own form to determine eligibility. I finally broke down and bought a computerized tax program when I got tired of having to download extra forms, spend 15 minutes transferring information from the 1020, doing all the calculations and finding out I made $1000 too much to be eligible. Then there was the entire question of taking a deduction here or a Hope credit there for education expenses.

[racaulk]

7. You can file your taxes online with Turbotax.

http://turbotax.intuit.com/

As a poster upthread noted, you can file for free if your income is below a certain threshhold (AGI of $28,500 for 2006). Go here: http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/

Turbotax is great and easy to use. I use it every year.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. I was hoping they had web access in Leavenworth.

For Bush and Cheney.