More than 8.5 million taxpayers are estimated to have tax returns due on August 15 because they requested an automatic extension to file. The IRS estimates that almost three million taxpayers will request an additional extension giving them until October 15, 2003.

 

By April 15, 2003, more than 2.73 million filed their taxes for free through the Free File Program.

Taxpayers with a balance due can also pay their taxes electronically by scheduling an electronic funds withdrawal from their bank account or pay with a credit card. Taxpayers can also sign up through Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make their payment electronically.

To e-file, taxpayers can use tax preparation software on their own computers, or they can have a tax professional that offers e-filing prepare and transmit their return. Some taxpayers can still participate in the Free File program and e-file their tax returns for free.

Free File, the tax preparation and electronic filing service, remains available for people who received filing extensions. Free File, which debuted Jan. 16, is a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of tax preparation software companies. Each company sets its own criteria for taxpayer eligibility, generally based on income, age or state residency. Eligible taxpayers are able to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns for free.

Free File must be accessed through www.irs.gov.