IRS Free File Program

The IRS Free File Program uses software from TurboTax, H&R Block At Home, TaxACT and many other vendors, and is available via the IRS website for the many filers whose 2010 adjusted gross income is $58,000 or less (if you make more money than that, the major software brands now offer free editions that anyone can use). Some of the IRS Free File vendors allow you to e-file your state return for free as well. Still, not everyone is comfortable preparing their taxes online. If you prefer to work on your taxes on your home computer while offline, reviewers say your best options are TaxACT 2010 Ultimate (*Est. $22) for fairly simple returns, or either TurboTax Deluxe (*Est. $50) or TurboTax Premier (*Est. $70) for more complicated returns. The advantages are that you'll have a hard copy of the software that you can install on each computer in your home, and you'll be able to work on your taxes offline.

The only source we found that goes into great depth about the IRS Free File Program is About.com's guide to taxes, a seasoned tax professional who compares this service to packaged software from Intuit and TaxACT. Another expert at About.com and reviewers at Forbes.com and ConsumerReports.org don't pick a favorite Free File vendor, but they do offer useful information about the Free File Program.