Using Free File Fillable Forms from IRS dot gov

Copyright all Rights Reserved LillyGrillzit February 14, 2011

Free File Fillable Forms this is a lot of F's, so I call it 4-F to stay as sane as possible.

This article pertains to the Free File Fillable Forms available on the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) website. The web address is www.irs.gov/Individual > e-file > Free File/Fillable Forms. [click = >]

This is a free way to File electronically in 2011 for the 2010 tax year. The 4-F FFFF, is simply the paper forms, tax return that the taxpayer used to do by hand, on paper.

Many of us old school taxpayers, insist on preparing our taxes manually. Spending the 45 minutes to 113 hours, doing the return. It is stressful, but this program makes it easier, because each time you need "Information about this form", FFFF directs the taxpayer to IRS web pages for answers.

I am a tax expert, and have been doing taxes since 1974. I worked when I was a young person, and did not intend to lose my $30.00 of withholdings, by having to pay an accountant or CPA to do my taxes. As a youngster, I ordered tax forms, and instruction booklets, by letter, from the IRS. I dove in and read. Do not ask me why I could understand tax law as an adolescent. To this day, I still keep up with tax law changes.

I relate to our Nation's recent History in tax law, and tax changes that took place with each Congress and President since the mid 1970s.

For those who prepare their tax return each year by hand, this means they are also doing their State Tax Return by hand. Most of the states have fillable PDF forms that can be filled out the same way. Most do not offer e-filing as a separate product.

The FFFF offer printing of your Federal return, which is highly recommended. This will assist you in preparation of your State Taxes, by providing information needed to complete most State returns. 

• If you are filing a 1040EZ
• If you are doing a 1040A with W-2 Income

This is Easy Cheesy! Optimum for Parents who do a 1040 Tax Return, and have kids who have income, that must file too. My past experience has been that although it was cheaper at the firm I worked at, it was expensive to do one of these kids returns. When the parents are paying a good $200.00+ for tax prep fees, add $35.00 - $50.00 for each child, it adds up.
Mom! Dad! Junior! Yoo Hoo, This is for you.

Junior, if you are a dependent, when you are completing your tax return, MAKE SURE, you check the box stating you are a Dependent of someone else, and You cannot claim yourself, or EIC.

Attention! The IRS & the Women's Center want all taxpayers to check and see if they are eligible for Earned Income Credit.

Many families, and singles who struggle with low wages, are unaware they may be eligible for some Earned Income Credit. There are a lot of sour voices against Earned Income Credit. These are usually the same voices who hire college graduates for $9.25 per hour, or pay management in benefits. Leaving many salaried people making slightly over minimum wage. So that extra income is needed.

Do not look a gift horse in the mouth. Stimulate the economy. Go out to eat at your local restaurant, take a low cost vacation. Take a tour, Spend that extra money.

You need the break and it is healthy for local business. These are merely suggestions, but think about how you feel about how your tax dollars are spent. ?$?

If you had a say as to $300.00 per year were spent, wouldn't you feel as though your tax spending was directed in a way you feel is beneficial to you as a whole? So, here is your chance. Take the extra money, and do what you think your government should do. If it fill your grocery cupboard, plant a garden, buy a solar panel, a greenhouse. Do it.

One does not have to have a child to qualify(link to IRS)

Qualifying child Maximum credit Two or more children $4,140 One child $2,506 No children $376

To be eligible for a full or partial credit, a taxpayer must have an adjusted gross income of less than:

• $33,178 ($34,178 married filing jointly) and two or more children (2+)
• $29,202($30,202 MFJ) and one child (1)
• $11,060 ($12,060 MFJ) with no children.

If you are using Free File Fillable Forms, through the IRS website, you must read all instructions, work the worksheets (which are simplified by the "do the math" button). You have to put your real and correctly calculated numbers in, but the FFFF will calculate those pesky percentages and other fractions of the financial balancing act.

WARNING!! This is not for the weak of heart. The FFFF or 4-F from the IRS is not a Software program that assists Taxpayers in preparing the tax return.

This is for those who normally prepare a Tax Return by hand, and have successfully done so - OR - you are a tax professional, CPA, Enrolled Agent, Bookkeeper, or understand the Tax Code, and/or can follow instructions like; ...if you are single, but made over $100,000.00, that was not a foreign trade, but beneficial to the American Recovery & Revitalization Act ([for dramatic purposes only, this is not an actual snippit of instruction from the IRS instructions)]

If your only tax experience has been conversations with the TaxPrep girls camped at your local super center, or a Home Edition of TurboTax, this is probably not an IRS product you want to use. This is not a put down. Go ahead, knock yourself out. If you are practicing sobriety call your sponsor first. This is merely tax expert attempting to save you from going mad.

For me, to spend an hour preparing my own tax return, with FFFF to complete my tax return is a very good deal. (This is the second year I have used Free File Fillable Forms, because I am writing about it here and on my Tax Blog. It is my intention to help taxpayers with a Free alternative to costly tax software, and preparation fees.)

I have about 3.5 hours logged in. My taxes are not filed yet. ( I will attempt to keep an update going on FFFF) They are filed as of 02/20/11. 

This way of filing is much more convenient for several reasons:

• "Do the Math" on the (%)percentage calculations 
• "Do the Math" on the numbers you have plugged in to the 1040EZ, 1040A, or 1040
• If you need further "Instructions for this form", it takes the taxpayer to the IRS website, and the Publication 17. (The yearly publication with general tax code law, rules and instructions for a standard, or small business, LLC tax return)
• Instead of having to find the Federal, State, Taxpayer copy of your Income forms, such as the W-2, you will simply re-create these forms in exact, at the Electronic Filing portion of your return. a). The Federal ID on a W-2 is not always the same as the State, b). Recreate your forms exactly. If the address is different, if they spelled your name wrong, if they added the middle initial, if they did not, do it just like them. c). In some cases it is impossible to fit an employer's entire name, get as close as you can.
• If your Social Security number or Tax ID number is reported on your forms incorrectly, you must request a corrected W-2 (or whatever form income or paid like 1098's), because it will be an error, and could be rejected.
• You are able to request as many of the extraneous forms needed to complete your return. With this program, you can Add or Remove as many forms as you like.
• If you get to the point where you realized you need to leave your 1040A, and "Start Over" with a 1040, none of that information will be transferred. You will be starting over from scratch. At least it is not killing a bunch of trees. Starting with a 1040 will be the way to assure you do a complete return. 

If you were a Full Time college student in 2011, you are possibly eligible for several deductions, or credits on you 2010 US Tax return. The big one for certain students is the American Opportunity Act Credit.

This is an actual dollar-back credit, and not merely a deduction. Make sure to fill out the 8863 to see what part of your billed expenses for Full-time college attendance in 2011 may make you eligible for the Credit.

My total experience with Free File Fillable Forms has been just like doing a paper return, with some lovely perks. I did e-file successfully. Since I started my return with FFFF around February 11, 2011, until last night there have been many forms added to Free File Fillable Forms.

Many States offers a Fillable PDF form where a taxpayer may fill out their State Tax, then print it off and mail it.

The State of Arkansas does not provide for stand-alone, e-filing for electronic forms.

Taxes are like plumbing. It looks simple enough. A bit of common sense, well-read directions, the right tools, and almost anyone could do a simple plumbing job. 

Sometimes when you get started on a plumbing project, and you aren't a professional plumber, there may be things that are missed, signs, that trouble is ahead. 

Depending on the complexity of your taxes, like plumbing, you may have gone in with pencil flying, and made grave errors, then you call the tax expert. Guess what. The plumber is going to charge you to get it right. 

Doesn't seem fair does it. Work with a net, and or spotters. There is great help to be found, on the IRS website, at www.IRS.gov. The search boxes, are finely tuned for tax law, and tax language. 

If you want to stay at the helm of your taxation, understood. The best of luck to you. 1-800-829-1040 They finally got some new songs for eternal hold.