This Year, Electronic Filing Is Free for All

And why isn't it likely that many will go it alone?

Come on, you know why. Because the tax code is so darn complex that many people have to get help, not just those with intricate tax situations.

But at a time when people are looking for ways to save, this move by the IRS presents a much-welcomed opportunity. The average tax-preparer fee for an itemized IRS Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state tax return is about $205, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants. The average cost to prepare a Form 1040 and state return without itemized deductions is $115.

If you need help preparing your tax return, hire someone or get some software. Better to spend the money for professional help now than to make an expensive tax mistake. The tax software checks for errors during the return preparation and again during the e-filing process. The error rate for e-filed returns is about 1 percent, compared with 20 percent for paper returns.

There's also free tax-preparation help through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, which provides free tax help to people ages 60 and older. For more information, call (800) 829-1040. AARP also offers tax help. Call (888) 227-7669, or go to http://www.aarp.org/money/taxaide.

Last year, nearly 5 million taxpayers used Free File, a 24 percent increase over the previous year, according to the IRS. Almost 58 percent of all returns were filed electronically.

One of the benefits of filing electronically is that your refund gets to you faster. Taxpayers who choose the direct-deposit option can get refunds in as little as eight to 10 days, as opposed to the four to six weeks if your return is sent by regular mail. Last year, the average refund was $2,429. Regardless of how soon you need your money, e-filing is definitely the way to go.

· On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and at http://www.npr.org.

· By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

· By e-mail: singletarym@washpost.com.

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