Mediaboss Marketing

For people with incomes under $60,000, the Free File Alliance, a coalition of 14 leading tax software providers, as well as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) centers, like the one above, provide free tax return preparation and e-filing.

But you may be able to get your taxes done for free. Here's how:

You make less than $60,000 a year: If your household income is $60,000 or less, you're eligible for free tax preparation and free e-filing of your federal return. And in some cases you may be allowed to file your state tax return gratis, too.

For federal returns, the IRS has partnered with the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of 14 leading tax preparation software companies, including H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, TurboTax, Liberty Tax and Tax Slayer.

To make sure you're getting the brand-name online software for the Free File program, go through the IRS portal.

Some -- like H&R Block and Liberty Tax -- may even offer you help over the phone or in their offices if you have questions using their programs. Others like Jackson Hewitt will let you to submit a question and get a response within 24 hours.

Each Alliance member applies its own sub-criteria for who qualifies. For instance, some will accept all filers with AGIs of $60,000 or less, while others may only accept those making $53,500 or less. Some also set age requirements or only work with filers in certain states. (Look up the companies' criteria.)

Be aware, too, that you may be charged a "convenience" fee if you end up owing federal taxes and use a credit card to make your payment.

Related: Don't want to file your taxes? Get ready to pay ... a lot

Also, the "free file" principle may not automatically extend to your state tax return. But Free File Alliance members have struck individual agreements with 20 states and the District of Columbia that do allow for free filing. (See if your state is among them.)

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Free ways to file your taxes