If you have access to a computer and the Internet, you may be eligible to prepare and file your 2005 federal tax return electronically for free. Free File is an easy way to file your taxes and get your refund in half the time.

The IRS and the Free File Alliance, a private-sector consortium of tax software companies, continue their partnership to help taxpayers electronically prepare and file their federal tax returns for free.  Free File made its debut during the 2003 filing season as a way to provide free services to moderate and low-income taxpayers.  For the 2006 filing season 93 million taxpayers will be eligible for these free tax services. 

Taxpayers access Free File through the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. Each company sets its own criteria for free usage. The criteria varies but often is based on income, state residency and age. 

Filing electronically is fast, accurate and secure.  Last year more than half of all taxpayers filed their tax returns electronically including 5 million who used Free File through the IRS website. The benefits of using Free File are identical to those of e-filing, which include:

• Reduced tax return preparation time
• Faster refunds
• Accuracy of return
• Acknowledgement of return receipt

For more information on Free File, check out the IRS Web site at IRS.gov.