Rep. Langevin Praises Free Tax Prep Program

Rep. Jim Langevin urged Rhode Island residents to use the IRS and Rhode Island Free File programs to save money at tax time. These programs allow roughly 70 percent of all taxpayers to use name-brand tax preparation software to prepare and file their federal and state returns online for free.

Rhode Island is one of 22 states plus the District of Columbia that sponsors a State Free File program, allowing residents to easily and accurately complete both their federal and state taxes with trusted name-brand tax preparation software of their choice. Free File empowers taxpayers to claim every single deduction and credit they are entitled to, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

“Today we are seeing a great example of how government, the private sector and community organizations all play a role in helping families and individuals save more of their money during tax season,” said Rep. Langevin. “This program, which doesn’t cost the government a dime, also takes the confusion out of tax preparation and keeps money in the pockets of people who need it most. I strongly urge eligible Rhode Island residents to use this easy and convenient program.”

“Free File not only helps save taxpayers’ time and money, but also provides savings to Rhode Island’s government in the form of lower processing costs and fewer errors as compared to paper returns,” said David Sullivan, Tax Administrator for Rhode Island Division of Taxation. “E-filing is the fastest, safest and easiest way to file your taxes, and the Rhode Island Free File program makes it even easier.”

“Filing taxes is a lot simpler than you think, with the help of the tax preparation software products made available through Free File. If you send text messages and email or surf the Internet, chances are you will have no trouble filing your taxes through the Free File program,” said David Macklin of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the organization sponsoring today’s event.

According to the IRS, 40 million taxpayers have prepared their federal returns through Free File since the program began more than a decade ago.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Free File, visit www.FreeFile.IRS.gov or www.tax.ri.gov.