Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) program

Using your own computer, tablet, or mobile device, you can use free tax preparation software to prepare and e-file your basic federal and state income tax returns. There are no income limits to e-file basic returns.

You are filing a basic tax return if:

• your 2019 income was reported on one or more of the following—
  
  
  • Form W-2
  • 1099-G
  • Form 1099-R or 1099-INT
  • Form 1098-T
  • Form 1095, and

• you are not filing any of these schedules—
  
  
  • 1099-MISC. report income or loss from a business you operated or a profession you practiced as a sole proprietor
  • 1099-B report capital gains and losses
  • Report income or loss from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, estates, trusts, and residual interests in REMICs.

If you need to file one of the following schedules and your 2019 income was $69,000 or less, you can prepare your federal and state returns using other free filing software and your own computer, tablet, or mobile device.

• Schedule C (Form 1040), to report self-employed income or income or loss from a business you operated or a profession you practiced as a sole proprietor
• Schedule D (Form 1040), to report capital gains and losses
• Schedule E (Form 1040), to report income or loss from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, estates, trusts, and residual interests in REMICs

Gather the following to prepare to file your return: 

• email address
• copy of last year’s tax return or your prior year federal adjusted gross income (FAGI)
• photo ID
• driver license or state-issued non-driver ID (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly)
• birth dates and Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and your dependents
• proof of income (wages, interest and dividend statements):
• Forms W-2, 1098, 1099
• any other documents showing additional income
• Forms 1095-A, B, or C, Affordable Healthcare Statement
• information related to any credits you’re claiming
• your banking information (the account number and the routing number for your bank, which you can find on a blank check)

• If you’re using the software for the first time, the average tax return takes about an hour and a half to complete.
• If you’re a returning user, the average return will take about an hour, as the software saves your information from year to year.

When you create your account, you’ll need to:

1. Decide on your user name. It must be at least six characters.
2. Create a password. It must:
• be at least eight characters,
• include at least one uppercase letter,
• include at least one lowercase letter,
• include at least one number, and
• include at least one special character ($,#,%, or !).
3. Choose three security questions and answers (each question must have a different answer).

After you file your return, you need to:

• Complete and save Free File Software Account Information and keep it in a safe place. You will need this information to login to  your account in the future.
• Keep a printed copy of the return and confirmation page, if applicable, for your records.
• Check your email to ensure your return is accepted.
• If your return is rejected, follow the instructions provided in the email to resolve the issue and re-submit.