Why can't everyone file their income taxes online for free?

why does the IRS insist most people who want to file online have to pay some third party to do this?
Why can't everyone file their income taxes online for free?
The IRS is a business, so are H%26amp;R block, Jackson Hewitt, etc etc. If everyone could file on-line for free, there'd be thousands without jobs. Plus, my parents are only in their 50s but they hate computers, dont pay bills on-line, and would never want to file an e-return, they like to have their 4 filing cabinets with previous tax returns in them and a stamped copy of the envelope they sent them in.
Reply:You can. During the filling season, the IRS web site has a "free file" icon that takes you to a page that asks you a few questions and as a result of your answers, directs you to several providers of free prep and efile of a federal return. Most charge for a state return and that is how they stay in business.





But if doing your own taxes was that easy or a good idea, Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty, CPAs, and mom-and-pop-ops would all be out of business. The Tax Code in printed form fills a medium size room, so it is easy to make a mistake that costs you thousands of dollars. I know because I fix dozens a year from people who thought they could do their own taxes.





So you can file for free. And you will get everything you pay for when you do.
Reply:I have been using a site for the past 3 years that I can file our federal income taxes for FREE!!!!





http://www.freetaxusa.com/





The instructions are easy. And you can just file your Federal and not the state at the end. Instead, look into your state to see if they have the option of filing for free thru them.





And if you do want to use freetaxusa to file your state, its not that much.





Hope this helps.
Reply:Several major partners *will* let you efile for free in 2009. Due to all of the complaints these companies agreed to do this. Be sure to get to their software through the IRS website next year.
Reply:UH it is free if you don't make an absurd amount of money....but you will have to use a third party.