Freefile

Can anyone recommend which freefile service to use ? Or has anyone had problems using the freefile fillable forms? My tax affairs are simple - nothing complicated. Any advise is welcome.

Hello Rosalyn,

I see no one has responded and I won't be able to give you a satisfactory answer either.

The alternatives for Freefile seem to change yearly, and this year the consensus from other sites indicates the options for those filing from abroad appear to be more limited than normal. As you suggest, it very much depends on the individuals particulars. Some programmes have restrictions on age, some on amount of income, and others have limited forms available, especially when filing from abroad. You may find you can complete a particular form on Freefile, but the programme may not allow you to E-file from abroad due to NRA spouse, foreign address, etc., so you complete, and then download and file by snail mail.

As you likely know, the main page for Freefile lists the options available, but there is a page that will help in determining which programme might meet your needs. It can be found here:

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/wizard.jsp

Additionally, there are the form limitations, and the list of forms possibly available can be found here:

https://www.irs.gov/uac/List-of-Available-Free-File-Fillable-Forms#Form8938

One noticeable drawback, for example, is form 8938. According to the above site, no continuation pages are allowed, but if you don't need 8938, it won't be a problem.

Perhaps others have filed successfully using Freefile and will post later/

Not sure how many of us are last-minute filers, but posting here just in case I'm not the only one...

I tried a number of different Free-File websites using the link that theOAP posted.  Of the ones the IRS quiz recommended, I tried about 5 before I gave up and paid $7.95 to just be done with it (figured it's cheaper than recorded delivery postage in the end). 

FreeTaxUSA: Doesn't support Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion)

1040.com: Something seems to be wrong with their system re: Form 8965.  Despite selecting that I lived abroad for the full 12 months, when generating the tax return, it wouldn't put the right exemption code.  I also entered all 9's for the NRA spouse's SSN, but the elsewhere I had to select that he was a NRA. But then the system pointed out to me that he shouldn't have a SSN. I tried to go back and delete it, but it was impossible to move forward without entering something...chicken and egg 

JacksonHewitt: Doesn't seem to support Form 2555 either.

OnLine Taxes: I used this one in the end. I filed MFS, and it made me enter an SSN for the NRA spouse, so I entered all 9's for the SSN.  (Not sure if I'll be caught out on this...)  But no other issues with Forms 2555 or 8965.  Note: you will need either Paypal or a US-registered debit/credit card to pay.

Hope this helps any other last minute filers out there!

it made me enter an SSN for the NRA spouse, so I entered all 9's for the SSN.  (Not sure if I'll be caught out on this...)

Yep, My return just got rejected for the 999-99-9999. 

Helps me! I've never filed and it's my first time and I'm freaking out because I can't figure out what I need to do. 

It's not been the best month.

Helps me! I've never filed and it's my first time and I'm freaking out because I can't figure out what I need to do. 

It's not been the best month.

I wish I could help but US taxes are beyond me. We use an accountant so that I don't have a nervous breakdown over them!

What I do know though, which may take the pressure off if you need a little more time, is that you can file for an extension until October. Our guy did that for us once as I remember.

This might be it?  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

I think that if you owe tax that it had to have been paid by April anyway, even though you have until June to file as you are abroad. I've always thought that was a little contrary!

Haha, sorry. What I meant to say is, it helps me that you posted that. I was trying on a few online ones as well... I've been putting it off cause I couldn't figure it out a few weeks ago and it's bad that I've done that cause they're due next week. I wasn't very good at doing taxes the paper way in the States, once I could do e-filing I was golden.

Ah well. I shall try and give it another go.

I shouldn't owe any tax as I make way under and we don't have FBAR issues. I don't have signatory on our joint account here in the UK for tax reasons and we don't have any major accounts anyway.

Haha, sorry. What I meant to say is, it helps me that you posted that.

Haha, oh dear, I felt so sorry for you, I literally thought you were begging for help!

Glad you have it under control! 

Honestly, I am feeling that way a bit...

I was able to not file last year cause I didn't even earn enough to file taxes and we had wiped out our savings to get me to the UK so. I just didn't look into it beyond that.

I may be freaking out on Monday or Tuesday though!

Honestly, I am feeling that way a bit...

I was able to not file last year cause I didn't even earn enough to file taxes and we had wiped out our savings to get me to the UK so. I just didn't look into it beyond that.

I may be freaking out on Monday or Tuesday though!

There is nothing important about Monday or Tuesday.  File an extension if this would make you calmer.

I think that if you owe tax that it had to have been paid by April anyway, even though you have until June to file as you are abroad. I've always thought that was a little contrary!

What that means is that if you think you'll owe tax you should make an estimated payment if you won't be filing by the April deadline, otherwise interest (and penalties if not paid by the June deadline) will be added to your tax bill. An extension to file gives you more time to sort and fill out the paperwork, not more time to keep your money.