Is the New Free File Fillable Forms Program from IRS any Good when Compared to Online Tax Filing Programs?

I have been using tax preparation software packages for over a decade now to prepare and file my taxes. The benefits included ease in preparing the return, eliminating calculation errors, having any change cascade automatically through the entire return, error-free filing with the electronic filing option, and faster refunds.

I think I used Tax Cut for the first couple/three years, and TurboTax since then. I used to faithfully wait every year for the coupon to show up in the mail before purchasing TurboTax from Costco or Staples. With the coupon it never cost me more than about $25. However, this year even after the coupon, TurboTax Deluxe cost me $40 at Costco.

It seemed like the usual price creep on a popular product, so I set out to look at some options. Looks like there are many options.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been trying for some years to get more people to file their taxes electronically. With that goal, IRS has expanded its partnership programs this year to allow even more filers to prepare and file their taxes online. They have three main programs enabling online tax preparation and filing.

Free File

free-file-logoFree File is an IRS program allowing eligible filers to prepare and file their federal taxes online. The Free File program has come about through a partnership between IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. This year there are about 20 tax software companies participating in the program.

There are many eligibility requirements based on criteria including Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), age, State of residence, active military employment status, etc., and they vary from company to company. Generally, to be eligible the AGI has to be no more than $56,000.

While the federal tax returns are free to prepare and file electronically on these participating company web sites, the state returns are not for free. Prices for state return preparation and filing start at about eight dollars. Generally, all the websites follow an interview process asking questions with the answers going to the right IRS tax form. This makes it much easier for the filer as there is no need to try to figure out where to enter what on a form.

These are some of the companies participating in the Free File program from the IRS website here:

1040NOW.NET: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your AGI is between $5,000 and $56,000 and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI, or WV. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

TaxSlayer.com: Free federal tax return preparation and e-file if your AGI is $10,000 or less or you are age 25 or younger or 65 and older, or if you are Active Military or you qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

FileYourTaxes.com: Free federal tax preparation if your Adjusted Gross Income is $56,000 or less and you are aged 17 to 60 and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, TX, UT, VA, WA, or WI. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

H&R Block’s TaxCut Free File: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you are age 50 or younger. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

TurboTax® Freedom Edition: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $30,000 or less or you are active military or you qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

I-CAN!® Free File: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $30,000 or less or you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. En Español.

CompleteTax: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $31,000 or less.

EfileTaxReturns.net: Free federal preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is between $5,000 and $56,000, and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WI or WV.

123Easytaxfiling: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, VA, WI, or WV.

Free TaxACT: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you are age 19 through 55 years old. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

ISECURETAX: Free federal tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is between $11,000 and $56,000. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

FREE TAX RETURN: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you live in the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, HI, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY.

FreeTaxUSA.com: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, UT, VA, or WV. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

CitizenTaxFree: Free federal online preparation if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less, you are age 50 or younger and live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI or WV.

OnLine Taxes @ OLT.com: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you are age 50 or younger. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

Free1040TaxReturn.com: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less and you are age 55 or younger and you live in following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, UT, VA, WI, WV.

OnlineTaxPros.com: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is between $11,000 to $56,000. En Español.

TAX$IMPLE Ultimate Version: Free federal tax preparation and e-file if you are age 66 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

ezTaxReturn.com: Free Federal tax preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $56,000 or less and you live in the following states AL, AR, AZ, CA, GA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, or WI.

eSmartTax From Liberty Tax Service: Free Federal online tax preparation and e-File if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less, and you are age 50 or younger. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief). En Español.

Free File Fillable Forms

free-file-logo1This is the IRS Free File program with no income limits. However, it is not as user-friendly as the Free File program above for those with incomes less than $56,000. There is no interview process. You can fill in information online at the IRS Free File Fillable Forms website on your choice of tax forms and schedules, and file your return electronically sans any fees. You can only prepare your federal tax return. There is no charge for preparing the federal tax return on the web site and filing it online. No state forms or state return filing is supported under the program. So, it is only a good alternative if you were going to manually do your federal taxes on paper.

IRS e-file for Individuals

efile_size2This is the full-fledged IRS program for preparing and filing federal and state tax returns electronically without any income limitations and with the same user-friendly features as in the Free File program. Of course, there are fees associated with preparing and filing returns. The program is administered with a number of different companies offering their services. The software costs and fees for electronic return filing vary from vendor to vendor. The tax preparation software offered by these companies can be used online or can be downloaded for use on the home computer.

These are some of the companies participating in the IRS e-file program from the IRS website here:

Taxsoftware.com – Online 1040/1040A/1040EZ, 1041, 1065, 1120/S, 1099, 990, and Excise Tax Prep Software. Prices range from $1 to $90, and include printing, e-filing, states, and online customer support.

ISECURETAX.COM – For everyone, we guarantee our tax calculations or we pay the interest and penalties. State tax e-file programs are available for all states.

Taxhead.com – E-file made easy. Prepare your 1040A/EZ taxes in minutes with our free tax software. E-file and get a refund in days. Success guaranteed. Discount for first-time filers, low-income & EIC people.

#1 Discount Tax Return Service – Get your tax refund back quickly using IRS E-file for only $8.50. Guaranteed to be easy and accurate.

average1040.com – $7.99 to e-file your federal and state returns together (at the same time) – or – $7.99 to e-file your federal return by itself – or – $7.99 to e-file your state return by itself.

E-file-Tax-Returns – $9.95 Our very best tax preparation software. Free Customer Service questions welcomed, free e-file, free FAQ, free extensions. EITC & EZ & EIC welcome. Instant state tax forms done at same time.

TurboTax – The easy way to get the biggest tax refund possible, guaranteed. It asks easy questions and automatically fills in the right tax forms for you. Get free e-file with TurboTax.

OnlineTaxPros.com – FREE federal, FREE printing, guaranteed tax calculations. Easy, safe & secure. English version and version en Español.

RepublicTax – $17.76 – Form 1040. Let RepublicTax make E-filing less taxing. State return only $12.88. Credit and debit cards accepted. Direct deposit makes filing a snap!

OnLine Taxes @ olt.com – Simple! Fast! Accurate! Very comprehensive, SCHs C/D/E/F & more. All states and state-only. FREE customer service. RT options. $7.95 federal & $7.95 state. 888-OLT-4-TAX, since 1999 ~ e-file today!

ezTaxReturn.com – Maximize your deductions with our simple and secure interactive interview program. Save time and money! No forms, no math, no tax experience necessary. E-file included. Satisfaction guaranteed!

123 Easy Tax Filing – Only $9.95 to prepare and e-file your federal return.

CompleteTax – Quick and easy! Complete your federal and resident state taxes for a low price, including FREE e-filing. No credit card needed. Try it free – pay only when you are ready to e-file.

TaxACT – Your fast, easy and secure tax software solution. Free to start your return, free e-file included. Under $10 for your federal return and $16.95 for both fed & state. Free technical support!

TAX$IMPLE – Prepare and e-File federal, state and city tax returns online for individual, corporate, partnership, fiduciary, exempt, gift, and estate using IRS look-alike form and source documents-based system.

TaxSlayer.com – Prepare your federal and state for FREE and e-file for only $9.95!

1040Now.net – FREE Online Tax Filing. Convenience! No restrictions, no download! COMPLETE library of tax forms. State tax e-file programs are available for all states.

H&R Block – H&R Block makes e-file easy with online, software or any office. Visit hrblock.com to start your 2008 tax return or call 1-800-HRBLOCK to find a tax professional near you.

1040Return.com – The complete package: $14.95 – 1040EZ/1040A; $15.95 – 1040; $9.95 for multiple states, free e-file federal and state or option to mail return. Secured, easy and reliable.

Express1040.com – $8.95 for federal and state tax preparation, printing and e-filing. Use our easy interview process and try it for free! You don’t pay until you decide to print or file your return.

OnePriceTaxes – File taxes online this tax season with OnePriceTaxes for only $14.95. Federal and state tax preparation for one low price. Try out our easy-to-use online tax software for free.

TaxBrain – TaxBrain.com is a full-service, online tax center. File 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040, Schedules A, B, C, D, F, EIN and over 30 other forms. Every state supported. No upfront fees. Free, live assistance.

I-CAN! – E-file your federal and state return for FREE if your Adjusted Gross Income is $30,000 or less, or you get the Earned Income Tax Credit ~ otherwise pay just $7.99 for both.

eFile Express – This is the ONE! Prepare, verify and print your return for free. Just $7/return to e-file. Extremely easy to use. Enter your tax data off-line, then securely e-file your return via the Internet.

800-TAX REFUND, Inc. – Is online filing right for you? Read our valuable advice. In addition to our online filing (from $9.95), we also offer professional tax services. Free state is included with all federal prep/e-file.

FileYourTaxes.com – File your taxes with a 20% discount. It is fast, easy, secure, and has all the features you need for your federal and state returns. Follow the link for details and to redeem your discount.

Peoples Tax – Our highly qualified tax professionals can prepare and e-file your personal or business tax returns. Our Triple Guarantee includes your satisfaction guaranteed.

eSmart Tax.com – eSmart Tax by Liberty Tax offers federal/state e-file, bank products, self-select PIN, electronic payment options, refund direct deposit. Orgullosamente sirviendo a la comunidad hispana.

Reviews

Reviews and critiques of many tax preparation programs for the IRS Free File and e-file programs are available on the Web.

About.com has a review of some Free File tax preparation programs. However, these reviews have not been updated as of today and are based on last year’s versions of the software.

Giveme A Review includes a review of online tax filing programs here. Its reviews include TaxBrain, TaxHawk, TaxHead, CompleteTax, TurboTax, TaxBack, TaxEngine, and TaxAct. The reviews are based on features, speed and ease of use, pricing, and customer support.

TopTenREVIEWS provides an excellent review of online tax software products. It compares them on an exhaustive list of features, e-filing features, tax assistance, and technical help/support. It provides an overall rating and individual ratings on intuitive navigation, novice friendliness, ease of sign-up, feature set, and documentation/help and support. It rates TurboTax, TaxAct, and H&R Block TaxCut as the top three online tax software products.

To conclude, Free File Fillable Form just doesn’t stack up to other online tax preparation and filing programs. Compared to the zero cost of the Free File Fillable Form program, other programs cost anywhere from 20 bucks and up, but they also enable state tax filings and are a lot more easy and convenient.

I am thinking of using Tax Act this time to do my taxes. What software package are you going to use to file your taxes? What have you used in the past? What would you recommend?

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72 comments to Is the New Free File Fillable Forms Program from IRS any Good when Compared to Online Tax Filing Programs?

  • Bummed

    In addition to two Error Code 0010s, I got an Error Code 0522: “The date of birth you entered on this return does not match what the IRS has in its files for you. The IRS receives this information from the Social Security Administration (SSA).”

    Trouble is, there’s no where on any of the forms, schedules or attachments where I entered anyone’s DOB. How, exactly, am I supposed to fix the bad info when I didn’t give them info to begin with. Argh. “Honey … where are the stamps?”

  • AlsoFrustrated

    My son got the same Error Code 0522; it turned out that HIS OWN date of birth was recorded incorrectly at SSA. You may want to contact the Social Security Administration and verify that the records they have of you are correct. The SSA database is often based on hand-written forms, many filled out at birth by the hospital staff, and errors may have crept in. Getting that information fixed might also be useful when you are getting ready to retire, or have to apply for other benefits administered by SSA.

  • Chris

    These morons emailed me at 11:50pm on April 15th to tell me that my tax return had been rejected. Why not just email me at 11:59?

    The error message(s) in the email I received were somewhat cryptic, so by the time I figured out what was wrong, logged in to the site, found the problem, then clicked the submit button, it was 12:13am on April 16th.

    At least the government owes me money; I’d be a little more pissed off if I had owed them.

  • Cheesegirl

    I too received an unhelpful “error code 0010″. I went back to the FFFF website, and found that my SSN had not carried over to one of the schedules I had completed. I entered it and then resubmitted successfully.

  • Someone

    I thought free file was really simple and easy to use. I got an error code, but since I got a brain I figured it out, and sent it back. I got an email 24 hours or so saying that it was accepted. With this online program, you still have to have an idea of how to fill out the forms.

    In the future I’m sure there will be dumbed-down information on the error codes, but for now you’re kind of stuck with the IRS’s documentation.

  • Someone

    The SSA sucks at hiring data entry people.

  • John

    Well, I’m back again trying to use FFFF. Last year (2008 return) I tried to use it. The system accepted the initial submission but I got an e-mail back a day or two later that said that it was rejected by the IRS. I think that there was a problem with the 1040 line 23 and line 36 compatibility last year. I tried a dozen times and was rejected each time. I finally mailed. THIS YEAR I submitted the filing today and don’t yet know if the IRS accepted. (Fingers crossed) One thing that I did discover was that the total wages (line 7) had to agree to the dollar with the total of the W-2′s. Sounds simple? Well, I added up my paper w-2′s (exact to the pennies) and THEN rounded to the nearest dollar and put that number in line 7. Later, I created the electronic W-2′s in which each one was rounded. Guess what, the sum of the rounded dollars on the electronic W-2′s was one dollar different from the rounded sum of the paper W-2′s. Result: FFFF wouldn’t even submit to IRS until I changed the amount on line 7 of the 1040 to match the electronic W-2′s. I also imagine that there were similar audit functions on the withheld tax amounts, etc. I went back and checked all forms and schedules to make sure everything matched up and then successfully submitted the FFFF filing. This program needs to be rewritten so that the electronic W-2′s, 1099-G’s, Schedule B’s, etc. are created in the order that they are logically required in completing the 1040. I would also like to see the rounding to the nearest dollars on all of the forms and schedules be an option with exact (to the penny) amounts as the default method. I would like to see IRS initiate their own online filing for all individual taxpayers AND SUPPORT IT ON THEIR TELEPHONE TAXPAYER HELP LINE. I’ll post another comment if I get a rejection from IRS.

  • deebo

    My return has been rejected on no less than five separate occasions so far. The first time there was an error that was easily fixable, however all subsequent errors have been the same (below). I have gone over all of the forms both electronically and in print and this error message is simply not true. The only problem I can think it may be is that I have moved from my old address (the one that is on my W-2) but I entered my current address on the electronic W-2. Although the error message doesn’t really identify that as the problem. Any one have any insights? Any help would be appreciated! This is my first year using Free Fillable Forms. Thank you.

    Error Code 0290: On Form W-2, the Employer’s State abbreviation is missing or is not a correct standard Postal abbreviation or Employer’s ZIP Code is missing or is not consistent with the Employer’s State. -or- On Form W-2G, the Payer’s State abbreviation is missing or is not a correct standard Postal abbreviation or Payer’s ZIP Code is missing or is not consistent with the Payer’s State. -or- On Form 1099-G, the Payer’s State abbreviation is missing or is not a correct standard Postal abbreviation or Payer’s ZIP Code is missing or is not consistent with the Payer’s State. -or- On Form 1099-R, the Payer’s State abbreviation is missing or is not a correct standard Postal abbreviation or Payer’s ZIP Code is missing or is not consistent with the Payer’s State.

  • deebo

    There are none of the errors on my return as reported in Error Code 0290 and my return was rejected yet again. I am going to pay the $37 for the Turbo Tax Fed/State package. I could file by mail, but prefer to e-file for a variety of reasons. Just dumb that a taxpayer has to pay to e-file taxes.

  • deebo

    It was $66 total for the Fed/State package, but I got over $1000 MORE in refund when calculated through turbo tax than free fillable forms. Looks like it is turbo tax for me here on out.

  • Christopher

    Dear Deebo (and others?:
    I’m pretty sure the Error Code 0290 reject can be solved by following the helpful message below from earlier in this thread:

    FFFF2
    April 11th, 2009 at 6:08 am
    Error code 0290. I found the Free File Fillable Forms relatively easy to use, but I do have a lot of experience with taxes. I did get rejects numerous times for error code 0290 which relates to State abbreviations and zip codes on the 1099-R and related forms. I finally realized that there are 3 separate fields on the Payer’s City, State and zipcode line. If you type in the address in the first field such as “Denver, CO 80202″ the form rejects. It isn’t obvious from the form that there are 3 separate fields. Type in the city, then move the cursor to the middle of the form and click…

    ( (I say “pretty sure” because I won’t know for sure until the IRS lets me resubmit my forms – they’re still deciding whether to accept or reject my previous submission from earlier today, BEFORE I found the above message and re-did my 1099-R’s once again …)

  • Rebecca

    I just got off the phone with a very nice man at the irs who tried to help me figure out why my 2009 return had been rejected twice, each time with error codes 0381, 0387, 0512, all relating to the education credit form 8863. Problem is, neither he nor I can see any reason why my return should have been rejected, and I can’t find any place on the free file fillable forms website that allows me to contact them for help. 5 stars for the irs agent. 0 stars for free file fillable forms!

  • Diane

    My 2009 return was also rejected twice, with error code 0035:”Field Sequence Numbers can not be duplicated and must be in ascending order within each record. Field Sequence Numbers must be valid for that record.” I haven’t been able to figure out exactly what field sequence is referred to, but the two schedules(E and M)that I submitted with my 1040 were in ascending sequential order, so that’s not it. When I tried to log back in to the site, it didn’t recognize me and wanted me to start from scratch. Luckily, I had made a pdf of my returns the first time, which I printed out and mailed in. “Where’s my Refund” did let me know today that my paper return had been received and was being processed, over two weeks after I put it into the mail. I’d have to give 0 stars to FreeFile also.

  • Mike3

    This is my first year to try FFFF. I have a “simple” W-2, 1040, Schedule L, and Schedule M. So far, I’ve been rejected with a nebulous error code #0687, “Summary Record Number of Regulatory Explanation Records must equal the number of regulatory explanations computed by the IRS”. Uhmmm, sure. I’ve been digging around online and am not finding any straight-forward answers as to what this means. Almost sounds like the electronic form is not automatically formatting itself to IRS standards. If anyone can help, please post back!

  • Rebecca

    Just heard back from the IRS and H & R Block tax support. They are fixing the problem associated with Form 8863 and I should be able to file my return by noon tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

  • Karlo

    Hi all,

    I tried many times in the past few days to e-file using FFFF(~24 hr return time). I was stymied each and every time by bizarre errors regarding my W-2.

    The most common was:
    Error Code 0123: On each Form W-2 that is part of return, the following fields are required: Name of Reporting Agent or Employer’s Name (Box c); Employer’s Address (Box c); Employee’s Name (Box e); Employee’s Address (Box f); Employee’s City (Box f); Employee’s State (Box f); Employee’s Zip Code (Box f); and Wages (Box 1).

    This makes it sound as though these are the only required fields…I did a poll at work and that seemed to be the consensus.

    So, I tried giving the minimum necessary info as above and I got:

    Error Code 0123: On each Form W-2 that is part of return, the following fields are required: Name of Reporting Agent or Employer’s Name (Box c); Employer’s Address (Box c); Employee’s Name (Box e); Employee’s Address (Box f); Employee’s City (Box f); Employee’s State (Box f); Employee’s Zip Code (Box f); and Wages (Box 1).

    Error Code 0122: On each Form W-2 that is part of return, the Employer Identification Number (Box b) and the Employer’s Name (Box c) must be entered and valid.

    Error Code 0103: Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ – Total Federal Income Tax withholding shown on tax form must equal the sum of withholding on Other 1099 and AK Dividend, withholding from Schedule K-1, withholding on Form W-2, and W-2GU withholding on any Form 1099-R and withholding on Form W-2G. Exception: Do not reject when withholdings on the tax form exceed withholdings statements by $5.00 or less. identified as a Stimulus Payment return (special processing literal “ESP” in Form 1040A).

    I deleted my stored W-2 and resubmitted a brand, spanking new one. No luck.

    After that the program told me to mail in my return – which I am doing tomorrow morning.

    Cheers.
    Karlo

    Sigh – I hate to be beaten – I am computer literate – but I do not think that the programmers of this application are. Maybe I will try again next year.

  • Lester

    Samo for me and error 0123! I have tryed 10 times to correct this and I just do not understand what they want!! It is supposed to be a 1040EZ, nothing easy about it! Dang!
    I moved during the year and my current address is in NM but I worked in AZ 2009 and that address is on the W2 form. For bank purposes I must use the NM address or maybe not?
    this is very frustrating and not very user freindly, maybe for an accountant,LOL!Guess I will use the free sevices and give up trying to do it on my own! Oh well……..

  • Gerald Guth

    I too am getting error code 0103. I was rejected twice (so far) The way I read it, it wanted me to enter my W2s on
    the E-File page. I entered two W2s, only one of which had
    fed taxes withheld. I am on social security so SS sends
    me a 1099 (not a W2). This SS form indeed had Fed taxes on it, but I did NOT enter it in the E-File screen nor did I
    enter a 1099R from which I had Fed taxes withheld, nor did
    I enter the “making work pay” credit of $550.00, all 3 of which figure into the total federal tax withheld and thus
    would make it out-of-balance. The reason I did NOT enter these last 3 forms is because the last screen says to
    enter W2s..when I attempted to use the add W2 screen, there
    didn’t seem to be any fields to enter these non W2 fields into.
    Help anyone

  • Rebecca

    Well, after a call a couple weeks ago from H & R Block saying they had a fix for my problem, my return is still being rejected with error codes 0381, 0387, 0512, again all relating to the education credit form 8863. Attempts to reach someone via email (don’t feel like spending an hour on hold to get told, “I have no idea why this isn’t working”) are met with “we’re working on it.” I’ve given up and sent in a paper copy. I realize I could get my refund faster if I threw down $40 on commercial software, but I just don’t feel like paying to get my money back.

  • Been rejected twice because total federal withholding on line 61 does not match w-2 and 1099-r because of voluntary withholding from social security check.Simple instructions on 1040 say just add any SS withholding to line 61. Guess this is to simple for computer software to figure out,even IRS agent said just fill out form ssa-1099.Strange there is no form ssa-1099 according to IRS forms and publications.Oh well nothing like filing by paper.Turbo Tax runs this free file program maybe they can figure it out.

  • Candy

    I got rejected because of error 0123–employer, employee and wages information on W-2. I entered all the information exactly as it appears on the W-2 and STILL got rejected? Why?

  • maya

    IT FRIIIIIIIGGGGGIN SUCKS! It seems to be a scam to make us pay MORE MORE MORE!!!!!! Does anyone know a really free to file and send program?

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