File taxes for free Published Feb. 1, 2007 By Master Sgt. Nancy Fleo 319th Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Eligible taxpayers can use the Internal Revenue Service' s Free File site to prepare and electronically file federal income tax returns without charges. Free file was developed by the IRS in partnership with the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of industry leading private-sector tax preparation companies. To use the IRS Free File, individuals must go to the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, click on "Free File," press the "Start Now" button and choose a tax preparation company from the list provided. Free File is not available by going directly to a company's Web site. Not all companies offer services to everyone. Filers should read the offer description to find which company best suits their individual needs. Once a company is selected, users click on the link to the company's Web site to begin preparing their return. Free File also has a "Guide Me to a Company" feature that will assist taxpayers in selecting a company that offers services tailored to their particular situation. Although Free File is available only for federal income tax returns, some participating Free File Alliance companies also offer state tax return preparation and IRS e-filing at no charge. Those services are noted in the Free File section of those companies' Web sites. Free File is available now in both English and Spanish. More than 15.4 million tax returns have been prepared and submitted through Free File since it debuted in 2003. Free File is available to anyone who earns $52,000 a year or less. Military One Source also offers free tax preparation and filing. Visit http://www.militaryonesource.com to file your federal and state taxes with TaxCut Basic Online (R) by H&R Block (R). Access your W-2 form online at https://mypay.dfas.mil. The base tax center will also be available Feb. 7 for free tax filing. More than 10 volunteers have completed an intensive IRS training course and are available to help file tax returns for military members and their families. The tax center is located in the Community Activity Center (Bldg. 203) down the hall from the recently renovated Fast Eddie's Coffee Shop. To make an appointment, call 747-7183 or visit the tax center as a walk-in customer starting Feb. 7. Appointments and walk-in customers will be accepted Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A drop off service is also available for IRS form 1040 EZ. Airmen and their families can drop off W-2s with a worksheet to be electronically filed, and then they can pick up a copy for their records. Spouses of deployed members may also use the tax center, but they must have general power of attorney.