File taxes for free through this list of companies recommended by Idaho State Tax Commission

Idahoans who earn an adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less can file taxes for free through several companies that offer free online filing and preparation services for federal and Idaho individual income tax returns, according to a press release from the Idaho State Tax Commission. The deadline to file income taxes is Tuesday, April 18.

“Out of the 986,000 plus returns we processed last year, nearly 611,000 Idaho taxpayers could have qualified to e-file for free. But only about 70,000 of them took advantage of the free-file option,” Tax Commission Chairman Jeff McCray said in the release. “We’d like to see more people use the service.”

Taxpayers should look carefully at the free file page to see which offers they qualify for and be sure to use the links on the page to avoid payment, the release said. A taxpayer must use the same provider to e-file federal and state returns. Electronic filing is the fastest and easiest way to file taxes, according to the tax commission, and produces quicker refunds than filing by paper. The tax commission works with the IRS and software developers to provide the free online filing service.

To check refund status, get tax forms, make payments and find tax help, go to the Idaho State Tax Commission’s website. You also can get help by calling 208-334-7660 in the Boise area or toll free at 800-972-7660.