It appears that as times get tough, the IRS gets kinder. The IRS has teamed up with nineteen software companies to make tax preparation free or low-cost for most Americans. To be eligible for this offer you must begin at the IRS Free File page. If you go directly to the company’s website, you won’t qualify for the free service. It is noteworthy to mention that the free file options DO NOT cover complex tax situations, you will need a paid service or professional tax preparer. These tax preparation software listed showed themselves to be Cost effective, easy to use, accurate and very quick.

1. H&R Block TaxCut (Free File version)

Comes highly recommended as one of the best in the nation. You will not have to worry about pressure to upgrade to paid versions. You will however incur a $24.95 state return fee. You get free access to the TaxCut Premium software along with tools, forms, and tips. TaxCut is easy to use and fast and you can e-fie.

2. TurboTax Freedom Edition

TurboTax (Free File Edition) is very easy to use, fast, and accurate. TurboTax come with windows and Mac versions. The free version of TurboTax is available to filers with adjusted gross income of $30,000 or less, or qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or served Active Duty Military with AGI of $56,000 or less. TurboTax also provides free state tax filing for the states of (AL, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IA, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, ND, NC, OK, OR, RI, SC, VT, WV.) All other states will need to add a state return will cost $9.95.

3. Tax ACT

You will get numerous messages to upgrade to a paid version which can get rather annoying since it is supposed to be free. Catches common W-2 errors and typos. Adding a state return will cost $12.95. Tax ACT is fast and easy to use.

4. CompleteTax

CompleteTax uses an interview based software format. Calculations are quick and fairly simple. Adding a state return will cost an extra $9.95. Recommended.

5. TaxEngine

TaxEngine provides rather a rare feature especially among the Free file group. Tax engine will automatically calculate the payroll taxes your W2, quite the free give away. TaxEngine’s provides a very user friendly program making it easy to prepare your tax return without any hassles. State tax return will cost an extra $10.

6. TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer has a very user friendly interface that cuts through the usual tax prep clutter. Tax slayer offers a free state tax return if you are preparing a federal return. If you are preparing only a state return, the fee is $9.95.