Five ways to file your taxes for free

Here are five ways to file for free. Get tax forms here or visit your local post office. The deadline to file taxes this year is Apr. 18, 2011.

1. IRS Free File. If you make less than $58,000, you are eligible to file your federal taxes for free using the IRS Free File program. Some 100 million Americans are eligible to use IRS Free File. The program walks you through the entire process and does the math for you. You can get a refund in as little as 10 days if you opt for direct deposit. This service is also available in Spanish.

To file your taxes for free click on the above link, then click on “Free File” on the right under Filing and Payments. Choose one of the Free File Alliance members that comes up that meets your tax needs. Once you pick a company you’ll be transferred to the company’s website to work on and file your taxes. If you do not have Internet access at home, there are many locations across the country where you can use the Free File software.

2. Free Fillable Forms. There are no income limits when you file federal taxes electronically for free through the IRS’ Free Fillable Forms. This hands-off approach lets you prepare and e-file your 1040, 1040 A and 1040EZ federal returns. State forms are not included, however.

3. AARP’s Tax-Aide program offers free tax prep and filing to taxpayers with low and moderate income, now matter your age. “Special attention” is given to those 60 and older. For best results, go early in tax filing season (like, now). The less busy they are, the more time they will have to help you.

4. TurboTax. If you do not use the IRS Free File program, check out the TurboTax online free federal tax filing program.

5. H&R Block. File your federal taxes for free with H&R Block’s free software option. The free option includes free advice from H&R’s community of tax specialists and audit support. You can also make free copies of your taxes.

Bonus: Productivity 501 compiled a list of 19 places to file your taxes for free in 2009. Not sure how many of them are still current.

Another bonus: Make copies of your taxes for your records at Office Depot now through Apr. 15, 2011. You can get up to 25 single-sided pages free as long as they are of your 2010 tax returns.

I have yet to start working on my 2010 taxes! How about you?