<prompt> Human: The IRSs Free File program allows those with adjusted gross incomes under 62k to use the Free File software for their federal taxes for no charge in a partnership with the Free File Alliance Many states also partner with the FFA to offer free state tax returns to those that qualify, and some states offer free e-filing for all taxpayers. Tax return processing will begin January 19, 2016Note: Every taxpayer regardless of income can file for free if you want to fill out the tax forms by hand. The free service being provided here is the software back end that does the calculations for you. Tax returns prepared electronically are generally more accurate than those filled out by hand, reducing processing time and the potential for penalties that result from errors in your filing.What can you do in January to prepare for tax season? Finish up any IRA contributions for 2015 you have until April 15, 2016 to make 2015 IRA contributions. Look up the schedules your various financial institutions are planning on issuing your documentation 1099s, etc so you can watch for them. Ask your employer when you will receive your W-2. If you are considering professional tax preparation and havent done so before or are switching preparers, now is the time to be asking around to find a tax preparer. If you have an established relationship, its always nice to reach out to say you willwill not be going with the same person again. Im sure youll have ideas as well, leave them in the comments.Links to state tax portals are below:Alabama - Free e-filing: Alaska - No state income tax.Arizona - Partners with several major tax software providers: Arkansas - Partners with several major tax software providers: California - Free filing through CalFile: Colorado - Free filing through Revenue Online: Connecticut - Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center: Delaware - Online filing: District of Columbia - Free e-filing through the Taxpayer Services Center: Florida - No state income tax.Georgia - Partners with several major tax software providers: Hawaii - Free e-filing fee to make a payment: Idaho - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Illinois - Free e-filing: Indiana - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Iowa - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Kansas - Free e-filing: Kentucky - E-filing: Louisiana - Free e-filing: Maine - Free iFile: Maryland - Free iFile: Massachusetts - WebFile: Michigan - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Minnesota - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Mississippi - Partners with several major tax software providers: Missouri - Partners with several major tax software providers: Montana - e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: Nebraska - Free NebFile: Nevada - No state income tax.New Hampshire - No state income tax.New Jersey - Free NJWebFile: New Mexico - e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: New York - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: North Carolina - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: North Dakota - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Ohio - Free e-filing: Oklahoma - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Oregon - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Pennsylvania - Free e-filing for qualifying taxpayers: Rhode Island - Partners with several major tax software providers: South Carolina - Partners with several major tax software providers: South Dakota - No state income tax.Tennessee - No state income tax.Texas - No state income tax.Utah - e-filing through the Taxpayer Access Point: Vermont - Partners with several major tax software providers: Virginia - Partners with several major tax software providers: Washington - No state income tax.West Virginia - Partners with several major tax software providers: Wisconsin - e-filing through WI efile: Wyoming - No state income tax.  <response>: You can also use myfreetaxes thats hosted by most united ways across the country. In your local area call 211 and they can tell you if the program runs in your area. Should start up at the end of this month 