Filing Questions

Absolutely! If you don't see it as an option on your account, you'll have to deactivate your return and start over. 

To deactivate a return:

1. Click the "Settings" button on the left hand toolbar.

2. Click "Transaction History".

3. Scroll down to "Deactivate your return", select a reason for deactivation and click "clear your return and start over". 

You'll be logged out and able to start over again.

4. Log back into your TaxSlayer account and enter your basic information

5. When you get to the Filing status page, click "Nonresident Alien", followed by your appropriate filing status.

Unfortunately, MyFreeTaxes cannot assist with questions on Form 8863, as the certification and training our Helpline receives does not include interpretation of tax treaties. You may consider consulting a commercial tax preparer to ensure your interpretation is correctly applied here and then continue following their advice if you want to self-file in the future.

For information on how to prepare and file a Schedule C return, please click here or visit myfreetaxes.com/taxguides. From there, you'll be able to choose the guide most appropriate for your line of work, whether it's a home-based child care business, gig economy or standard Schedule C.

To file a state return (or multiple), please click on the 'State' tab on the left-hand toolbar within your TaxSlayer account.

From there, you'll be able to choose your state and begin your return. Once that state is complete, you'll be given the option to add another State return. Screenshots are below. 

You can use TaxSlayer to file a state return even if you've already filed a federal return through another provider.

To do so, you will need to complete the full federal (and state) return process in TaxSlayer, since the information from the federal return is used to populate your state return. 

Once you've completed both your federal and state returns, you will be asked how you want to file your returns. Select "print and mail" your federal return, which allows you to move to your state return without e-filing your federal return. You do not need to do anything else with your federal return since you've already submitted it to the IRS.

Then, e-file your state return. 

MyFreeTaxes does not have the ability to log into your account or to access your account information. Use the 'forgot password' or 'forgot username' feature on the login page to reset your account information.

Yes! You can file a return using our free software without reporting any income. If no have no income this will enable you to claim certain refundable tax credits, like the Earned Income Credit and/or the Child Tax Credit. The IRS recommends entering $1 in the “Other Income” section of your Federal return with “IN ORDER TO E-FILE" listed in the description field. 

Follow these steps: 

1. Click “Income” under the Federal section.
2. Scroll down and click Begin next to “Less Common Income”.
3. Click Begin next to “Other Income Not Reported Elsewhere”.
4. Select Other Income from the drop-down menu.
5. Enter $1 for the value and list "IN ORDER TO E-FILE" in the description.

In most cases you can use MyFreeTaxes to file as a nonresident alien.

• Choose "File My Own Taxes" on the MyFreeTaxes homepage and create or login to your TaxSlayer account.
• Choose "Nonresident Alien" on the "What's your filing status?" page, you will need to delete your return and start over, then select "Nonresident Alien" as your status.
• If you are using the MyFreeTaxes Have My Taxes Prepared for Me option, many of the free tax sites we connect you to are able to file form 1040-NR for nonresident aliens. When you choose a site and contact them to make an appointment, be sure to confirm their site has the Foreign Student certification from the IRS and can file returns for nonresident aliens.

Please contact the Helpline if you have any questions.

No. You cannot use MyFreeTaxes to file prior year returns. To claim missed stimulus check funds (economic impact payment) you must file a 2021 tax return and complete the Recovery Rebate Credit section. Our "Have My Taxes Prepared for Me My Return for Me" option will connect you to free tax filing services that can prepare your prior year returns for you.

Read more here at irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit.

This is a security feature used by TaxSlayer. Your direct deposit information was transferred with both your Federal and State returns if that is what you selected. When you print or download your own copy of your return from the filing software you will see your direct deposit information is either blank or listed as all Xs.

Yes, you can use MyFreeTaxes to claim the tax credits and deductions you deserve. You can file a return to claim the Child Tax Credit even if you did not have any income.

If you have no income but want to e-file your return, the IRS recommends entering $1 in the “Other Income” section of your Federal return with “IN ORDER TO E-FILE" listed in the description field. 

Follow these steps: 

• Click “Income” under the Federal section.
• Scroll down and click Begin next to “Less Common Income”.
• Click Begin next to “Other Income Not Reported Elsewhere”.
• Select Other Income from the drop-down menu.
• Enter $1 for the value and list "IN ORDER TO E-FILE" in the description.

This is a TaxSlayer security feature. Your direct deposit information was transferred with both your Federal and State returns if that is what you selected. When you print or download a copy of your return from the filing software you will see your direct deposit information is either blank or listed as all Xs.

If you are having trouble figuring out where to enter your prior year AGI please follow these steps within your TaxSlayer account: 

1. Click on E-file on the gray navigation bar on the left side of the screen.
2. Check yes and click continue
3. In step 4, “Sign and File,” there is a question that reads: “Did you electronically file (e-file) your return last year?”.
4. In order to enter your prior year AGI you will need to select the top option, which reads “Yes, I e-filed my 2022 return and have access to it.” Click continue.
5. Select the type of return you filed last year. For most users it will be 1040. Click continue.
6. Then enter your prior year AGI and click Continue. 

If you suspect someone stole your identity and used your social security number (SSN) to file your tax return: Click here to go to the IRS site to learn more about the steps you can take to protect yourself.

There are a number of reasons that your tax refund could be delayed. First, check to make sure that you received an email confirmation that your return was accepted by both the federal and state government. Second, check to make sure that all of your tax documents were included with your return. Missing documents are a common reason for refund delays.

If your tax return included an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) application/ renewal, or if you recently received a new SSN for yourself or anyone else on your return, this could also delay your refund. If the IRS needs additional verification or if your return gets audited, they may request additional authentication before releasing your tax refund.

Federal Refund Status: If you need to check the status of your refund, you can use the IRS online tool by clicking on the following link: "Where's My Refund?". You can also check the status of your federal refund by phone by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954. 

State Refund Status: Most states provide online status inquiry. Some states have automated phone verification for refund status, those telephone numbers are provided on the website.

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

DC

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

West Virginia

Wisconsin   

The MyFreeTaxes self-preparation software (accessible by selecting the “File My Own Taxes” option on our homepage) allows filing and amending current year returns.

• To start amending your return, select E-file in the main navigation menu. Then, select the Amended Return menu item that appears below it in the navigation menu. 
• Once you have completed your amended return, select Continue at the bottom of the Amended Return menu to choose how you wish to file it. If you choose to e-file, complete the process to file your Amended Return the same way as your Federal Return.

The MyFreeTaxes option to have your return prepared for you (accessible by selecting the “Have My Return Prepared For Me” option on our homepage) connects users who need more support filing their return to partner nonprofits that are part of the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. These programs can file and amend returns for each of the last three years if you meet their eligibility criteria.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit based upon your earned (W-2) income. It usually increases as you add qualified dependents. Additional qualifications include:

• Taxpayers and qualifying dependents must have Social Security Numbers that allow them to work in the U.S.
• Cannot file as Married Filing Separately
• Must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year
• Cannot have foreign income
• Have investment income of $11,950 or less
• Cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else
• Dependent(s) must be related to you, meet certain age requirements, must reside with you for more than half the year, and cannot be claimed by more than one person

For additional information on the EITC: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant

Yes, you can, though it may make more financial sense to file jointly. Almost all married couples that file taxes separately are required to file a return since the income threshold is $5. Filing jointly may also help you qualify for many tax credits and deductions, including the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit).

If you elect to file separately, keep in mind that If one spouse itemizes their deductions, the other spouse must do so as well. If neither spouse itemizes, both can take the standard deduction.

The IRS recommends a few options for obtaining your prior-year Earned Income Level.

Preferred Method
Retrieve a copy of your prior-year tax return.

• Look for Form 8812. Earned income is shown on line 6a.
• If there is no Form 8812, look for the EITC worksheets, which are usually included at the end of your return. Earned income is listed on Worksheet A, Line 1 and Worksheet B, Line 4b.

Alternative Methods
If you do not have a copy of your prior-year return, you can obtain a transcript from the IRS.

• Use the IRS’ Get Transcript Online tool to immediately view your earned income for a certain tax year. You must pass the Secure Access identity verification process. Select the Tax Return Transcript and use only the “Schedule EIC Earned Income Per Computer” line entry.
• Use Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946 if you cannot pass Secure Access and need to request a Tax Return Transcript. Please allow 5 to 10 days for delivery. Use only the “Schedule EIC Earned Income Per Computer” line entry.

The IRS recommends a few options for obtaining your prior-year AGI.

Preferred Method
You should always retain a copy of your tax return.

On your prior-year tax return, your AGI is on line 8b of the Form 1040.

• If you are using the same tax preparation software that you used last year, that software will likely have your prior-year tax return.
• If you’re not using the same tax preparation software as last year, you may be able to access your prior-year software and view an electronic copy of your prior-year return.
• If you are a first-time filer over the age of 16 enter zero as your AGI.
• If you have an Identity Protection (IP) PIN, you should enter it when prompted by your software. It will serve to verify your identity, instead of your prior-year AGI or prior-year Self Select PIN. You can opt into the IP PIN program through the IRS’ online tool.

Alternative Methods

• If you do not have a copy of your tax return, you may use a Get Transcript self-help tool to get a Tax Return Transcript showing your AGI.
• Use the IRS’ Get Transcript Online tool to immediately view your AGI. You must pass the Secure Access identity verification process. Select the Tax Return Transcript and use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.
• Use Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946 if you cannot pass Secure Access and need to request a Tax Return Transcript. Please allow 5 to 10 days for delivery. Use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.

The email notifying you of the rejection should provide the reason. Make corrections by logging back into your TaxSlayer account through MyFreeTaxes and refile. If that doesn't work, you may have to file a paper return or contact the IRS. Most common reasons for rejection are:

1. Employer EIN does not match IRS information
2. Social Security number does not match IRS name
3. Someone already filed using a dependent's Social Security number
4. IRS identity theft PIN is wrong or was omitted

If you need your prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to e-file and you don’t have access to last year’s return, click here to visit the IRS' Get Transcript tool.