On-line filing for US taxes?

[scooter]

Okay, I've done the required search first, sifted through a couple dozen threads. If I've missed the info I'm looking for, I apologize profusely and ask you to dump this thread and kindly pass me the link. Thank you!

I want to file for FREE online (or with software offline) as an individual taxpayer. I looked at a couple of the sites that the IRS partners with (listed on their webpage http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118508,00.html, and they all seem to be geared toward people living in the US (ie: they ask for your zip code before you begin etc.)

Is there a site that is free and easy to use, and geared toward people living abroad? I need to file a very simple 1040EZ and will not need to pay or get a refund.

Again, thank you kindly.

[ironlady]

I plan to use TurboTax online this year and then fill out the forms by hand (the IRS was kind enough to send me a packet this year). But I have a more complicated return because of my business.

[scooter]

Hi Ironlady, thanks for responding. I'm a little confused though, TurboTax be used online for a simple return with out filling out forms by hand? Does it cost anything? thanks a bunch!

[ironlady]

My understanding is (and I haven't tested this out yet -- probably should have!!) that you can "try" the on-line system free. It will not let you actually file the taxes without paying them. The price they charge for on-line filing seems to be something like US$10 less than the price they would charge for selling you the software (that price is, BTW, tax-deductible! )

I'm not sure if you can file electronically if you are not a US resident. I was planning on using the on-line service if it seems secure; if not, I'll download the regular TurboTax program and pay the software licensing fee, use it on my own PC, and then probably copy all the figures onto the forms by hand (because my printer isn't working; not their fault.)

I've been using this program for quite a number of years now and I'd never do US taxes without it again. But a simple 1040EZ might not be such a hassle. In my case I've got to do Schedule "C" and I have quite a few sources of income as I'm a freelancer, so it gets more complicated.

HTH
Terry

[scooter]

Thanks T,

To answer one of your questions, the IRS says on their web page that people who are eligible to use the PIN number to file (which is only used for electronic filing) include people with overseas addresses. To me this means that people overseas can file electronically. Now if I could just figure out which one is free...

Good Luck.

[Vannyel]

My understanding has always been you can't file your taxes electronically if you live overseas. Maybe I am wrong. But as I said else where, I make no where near US$70,000 and with the automatic two-month extension it takes next to no effort to retrieve the forms from the IRS website, fill them out, and drop them off in the post office. Why waste the money for a computer program or worry about electronic filing unless you are required to pay or get a refund? Just curious as to what the benefit would be scooter? I can see the benefit for Terry (BTW, Scooter, I don't think you can file a 1040EZ but just because you file a 1040 doesn't mean you have to fill out every line -- just the ones that apply )

[barfomcgee]

I know this is an old topic, but I have a similar question. When filing taxes from abroad, do I need to mail the forms back to the IRS in the US? Or is it possible to bring it to ATI in Taipei instead?

[jdsmith]

I know this is an old topic, but I have a similar question. When filing taxes from abroad, do I need to mail the forms back to the IRS in the US? Or is it possible to bring it to AITin Taipei instead?

Just mail them back. Or file via turbotax.

AIT has nothing to do with taxes, except that an IRS guy comes once a year to "help" people who, for example, didn't file for like 7 years.

[barfomcgee]

Thanks Jd. I was hoping to be able to speak to someone in person about it, since I'll be filing for 2005-2007 and want to make sure everything's ok. But I guess mailing it is the only option.