IRS Free File opens

IRS Free File began its 17th filing season on Friday.

The Internal Revenue Service said that it upgraded the free tax filing system, under which a dozen private-sector partners offer products to help eligible taxpayers navigate post-reform tax law and electronically prepare returns.

More than 53 million taxpayers have used Free File since the program’s inception. It is open to taxpayers who earned $66,000 or less last year. Some providers offer both free federal and free state prep, and active duty military personnel with incomes of $66,000 or less may use any Free File software offering a military option. (Some states also have a free filing program.)

Each partner in the IRS program sets its eligibility standards, generally based on age, income or state residency. Taxpayers can do their taxes online from IRS.gov or can use the IRS2Go mobile app to access Free File for mobile phones, tablets or an app-enabled device.

For taxpayers who earned more than $66,000, the system offers Free File Fillable Forms, the e-version of IRS paper forms that will be available when filing season begins on Jan. 28.

Free File, which added more consumer protections this year, is available through the mid-October deadline for extensions. Taxpayers at any income level can use the system to file an extension.

Free File is available at www.irs.gov/freefile.