WASHINGTON, DC (April 14, 2007)  The Free File Alliance today urged  taxpayers only to use IRS.GOV to access free file tax preparation services and to be on the lookout for Internet scam artists trying to obtain bank account numbers and other personal information in the closing days of the tax season.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Tim Hugo, 703.569.1201
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Patrick Dorton, 202.429.4952
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FREE FILE ALLIANCE URGES AMERICANS WITH INCOME OF $52,000 OR LESS ONLY TO USE FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES AT IRS.GOV  URGES TAXPAYERS TO BE ON LOOKOUT FOR INTERNET SCAMS

WASHINGTON, DC (April 14, 2007) The Free File Alliance today urged  taxpayers only to use IRS.GOV to access free file tax preparation services and to be on the lookout for Internet scam artists trying to obtain bank account numbers and other personal information in the closing days of the tax season.

"Taxpayers need to be wary of bogus internet websites seeking personal information in the closing days of the tax season," said Tim Hugo, the Executive Director of the Free File Alliance. "The only correct way to access free file tax preparation services is to go directly to IRS.GOV."

The Free File Alliance (www.freefilealliance.org) is a voluntary coalition of private sector tax software preparation companies that have a landmark public-private partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax preparation services to millions of Americans. The 2007 tax season marks the fifth year of operation for the Free File Alliance .

"We have incorporated the latest security and privacy protections into the Free File program," said Hugo.  Our technology experts work closely with the IRS to closely monitor the internet and take steps to shut down websites falsely claiming to be part of the free file program.

Through the Free File Alliance, the tax software industry is making free services available to 70% of American taxpayers in 2007, including all 95 million taxpayers with an AGI of $52,000 or less. Taxpayers who would like to take advantage of the program can find the Free File program on the Internal Revenue Service website, www.irs.gov or may go to www.freefilealliance.org. On IRS.gov, taxpayers can find the offers made by industry participants and choose the offer that fits their needs. The taxpayer is then transferred to the company's website to prepare and electronically file their taxes.

Filing taxes online through Free File is fast, easy, and safe.  Every return filed through Free File is transmitted and protected through a secure IRS e-file system.  Third party security and privacy experts ensure that security protections are in place to safeguard individual taxpayer privacy and all government tax privacy regulations are in effect for Free File returns.

The Free File Alliance companies have worked with the IRS every year to improve the program. Changes made this year include the separation of refund anticipations loans (RALs) and other commercial products from the Free File program.

Earlier this year, taxpayers responding to an IRS survey reported an overwhelming level of satisfaction with the program.  According to the survey, 94 percent said they intend to use Free File again next year, 94 percent said they found Free File very easy or somewhat easy to use and 97 percent said they would recommend Free File to others. Convenience, not the free cost, was the most appealing factor of Free File.

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