U.S. Rep. Langevin & U.S. Senator Reed Highlight IRS and RI Free File Program
EASY, NO COST PROGRAMS PROVIDING GREATER CONSUMER TAX SAVINGS
Brand name tax software products made available by IRS, RI Free File Programs
empower eligible Rhode Island residents to file their taxes online at no cost
CRANSTON, R.I. – Today, Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), along with U.S. Senator
Jack Reed, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, and Attorney General Peter Kilmartin
urged all eligible Rhode Island residents to use the IRS and Rhode Island Free File
programs to save money and time during this tax season. In general, people earning
$62,000 or less – 70 percent of all taxpayers – are eligible to use name-brand tax
preparation software products to prepare and securely file their tax return online
at no cost. The briefing took place at Cranston Public Library and demonstrated Free
File’s ease of use and how the program can ensure taxpayers receive the largest
refund possible this tax season.
The Free File program is a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
and tax preparation software companies that provides millions of people access to
brand name software so they can prepare and securely file their taxes at no cost.
The software uses a simple interview-style process to help people identify all the
credits and deductions for which they are eligible. Each year, tens of thousands of
taxpayers receive a smaller refund because they fail to claim all of their eligible
credits and deductions. For instance, estimates indicate up to 25 percent of people
eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fail to claim it and miss out on a
refundable federal tax credit of up to $6,200 (certain states also have a similar
EITC).
Rhode Island is one of 20 states plus the District of Columbia that have formed
state Free File programs, enabling eligible taxpayers to file both their federal and
state tax return online for free. Since its debut in 2003, over 40 million taxpayers
have saved more than $1.3 billion in tax preparation costs through the IRS Free File
program.
«The Free File program is an important service that ensures low- and moderate-income
Rhode Island residents receive the full amount of their hard-earned tax refund,»
said Rep. Langevin. «By working together, government and the private sector are able
to provide this invaluable resource without costing the government a dime and still
saving money for Rhode Island families.»
«Tax filing can be a complicated undertaking and I will continue working hard to
simplify the tax code. I also want to ensure that taxpayers who need help have
access to free tax preparation assistance,» said Senator Reed. «The Free File
program has an outstanding customer satisfaction rate. I am pleased to join
Congressman Langevin in spreading the word and working to ensure eligible Rhode
Islanders can take advantage of this efficient, user-friendly tax preparation tool.»
«We are so thankful to Congressman Langevin, Senator Reed, and all the other
federal, state and local officials here today for helping to spread the word to
community leaders and Rhode Island residents about how the Free File Program can
mean a larger tax refund and more money saved this tax season,» said Chris Long of
the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the organization
sponsoring today’s event.
CCIA also encouraged those who have used Free File to submit their stories through
its website: www.taxprephelp.org
helpful information on Free File, including how Free File has helped tens of
millions of people save more money during tax season for over a decade. To access
Free File, visit www.irs.gov/freefile
www.tax.ri.gov
About CCIA: The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is an
international nonprofit membership organization dedicated to innovation and
enhancing society’s access to information and communications. CCIA promotes open
markets, open systems, open networks and full, fair and open competition in the
computer, telecommunications and Internet industries.