Notice

According to the IRS website: More than 13 million taxpayers with tax returns affected by late enactment of the Alternative Minimum Tax "patch" in December will face delays with filing and refunds. Visit the IRS website for more information.

Many people now file both their federal and state taxes online, without any need for a paper return. These services are offered by private companies in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and New York State.

E-File
Free File Program
Electronic Filing Providers
Electronic Filing at BPL

E-File

Federal e-file
http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118508,00.html

Electronic IRS http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=151880,00.html

Free File Program

Some taxpayers are eligible to file online for free through the IRS’s Free File Program.

Follow these links to determine if you are eligible for and learn more about Free File:

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

http://www.tax.state.ny.us/elf/free_efile_info.htm

Electronic Filing Providers

There are a number of ways to file your taxes online. You can:

• Use tax preparation software, which is a software product for your home computer that guides you through the completion of your return. For comparisons of tax software, click here. Click here for tips on choosing software products.
  Click here for a list of software products.
  
• Use electronic filing sites, which are Web-based filing systems, often through your bank or other financial institution’s web site, that you log into to prepare your return. You set up a username and a password, and all of your information is stored remotely.
  For New York State-approved companies go to http://www.tax.state.ny.us/elf/homepc.htm
  
• Walk into a licensed online e-file provider who will enter the information for you.
  To find a licensed provider visit http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118449,00.html

Electronic Filing at BPL

Not recommended for the following reasons:

Privacy - Entering personal information on public library computers can put you at risk because

• People can look over your shoulder
• Others will be using these machines, and we cannot guarantee that data entered will not be retained

Time - Library policy allows two 30 minute sessions per user per day. These sessions cannot be combined, so you will probably not have enough time to file your entire return in one session.

If you do choose to file using BPL computers, we highly recommend that you close all browser windows before your session times out.

Disclaimer: Brooklyn Public Library is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. This site provides links to websites that provide information about the law. But legal information is not the same as legal advice -- the application of law to an individual's specific circumstances. Although care has been taken to only list links to reputable websites, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that the information you find, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation. No web site should be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.