So, you can no longer file your PA state income tax return for free?

[Sheldon Cooper]

What a bunch of crap. I filed my federal return through Turbo Tax, which I always do. But I declined their offer to file my state taxes for a fee, because in the past I could always file it directly through the department of revenue and there was no charge. I just went to file my state return, and come to find out that PA has now contracted with numerous tax filing companies to do this, but each one charges a fee if you are only filing the state tax through them.

So, it looks like it will cost me a minimum of $7.95 to file my state return. I owe no taxes and am not getting a refund, so why the hell do I now have to pay the state to report this? I'm really peeved - I can afford the $7.95, but the point is I shouldn't have to.

Thanks, Governor Corbett. You jagoff.

[Proud Public Servant]

1. I don't think that's correct

It looks like you have access to free software if you make less than $58k, and free filing regardless, via PA Freefile: http://www.pafreefile.com/portal/server.pt/community/pa_e-file/21490

[Sheldon Cooper]

4. I don't meet the income guidelines.

[Proud Public Servant]

7. But you can still use the free fillable forms

The income guidelines are only for the Turbotax-like software program. With the few exceptions they note (Schedule K filers, non-residents), everyone can file electronic forms.

[Sheldon Cooper]

8. Okay I'll look at it again.

Thanks!

[Rochester]

2. What if you just fill out the form and mail it to them?

Surely they'll accept it that way, only costs you a stamp.

[Sheldon Cooper]

5. I may just do that.

It will only cost me the price of a stamp.

[Kali]

3. did you go through the IRS website to get to turbotax?

if you don't do that I know they try to charge for my state too. (AZ) but if you start at the IRS site and click through it has always worked in the past for state too.

[Sheldon Cooper]

6. No, I went straight to turbo tax.

[Kali]

9. I bet if you try through the IRS next time it will do your state for free.

One of my kids did it wrong last year and ended up paying. Nobody else in the family had to - and MY taxes are really complicated.

[Curmudgeoness]

10. I would not give them a freaking penny

to file my tax return. Get the paper form, fill it out, and mail it to them.......and let them do all the work of computerizing it. You will be giving someone a job instead of doing the job for them, you will be supporting the post office, and you will be telling Corbett to screw himself and his "privatization" of e-filing. Win, win, win.

And if you can't do the paper form yourself, pay a tax preparer to do it.....the money will still support an actual person doing a job and will not go to Corbett and his buddies.

[JPZenger]

11. Here's info on free PA. electronic filing

The income limit applies to free federal filing (which is also linked to free state filing). However, another type of state electronic filing is free for everyone.

http://www.pahouse.com/Mundy/PAHouseNews.asp?doc=34922

[Sheldon Cooper]

12. Thanks!

I see my old standby padirectfile will be available on Feb 3. I can wait til then.