Filing your income tax online has become very popular. However, if you plan to use a free service, you must carefully choose a provider that will offer the free service for both your state and federal income tax. There are many companies that will offer free federal filing. However, they charge for the state filing service.
If you do not choose the company carefully, you will be required to complete your federal form with one service provider and subsequently complete your state forms with another. The consequence of filing your tax returns with two different service provider is that you will have to enter all the federal income tax information twice, once for each service provider.
To avoid unnecessary work, it is important to determine which provider will let you complete both income tax forms for free. Do not begin your search for a free service on the IRS website. Instead, go to your state website and look at their list of free providers. Because the list of free state income tax service providers is more limited it will help you narrow down your choices. Most tax companies that offer free state filing usually offers free federal filing. In contrast, many companies that offer free federal filing charge for state filing. In sum, base your decision on the company's ability to provide free state filing.
Note: Some states do not allow mail in tax returns.