Before Getting Started with a Low-cost Option

A few important points you should know before starting the online filing process.

Lowest Cost to electronically file a Federal and North Carolina State Return

To participate in tax year 2007 Low Cost program, a cost factor will be involved. Taxpayers will be provided a list of software with the prices from the lowest to the highest.

Low Cost Online Option Services are provided by commercial companies

Members of the tax software industry provide these tax preparation and electronic filing services– not North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR). Once you choose a particular company, you will be sent directly to the company's commercial web site. Any questions about a particular service or company should be directed to the company providing the online filing service and not NCDOR. Please contact the company to resolve your particular income tax issue. To find out how to contact the company, please refer to the company's web site for more information about their customer service options.

North Carolina would like to thank our E-File partners in the tax software industry that will participate with us in this offer. This partnership will give many taxpayers in North Carolina some new options for filing.

You are under no obligation to buy any services

During the course of preparing your e-file tax return; you may choose to browse other products and services that some companies may provide. You are under no obligation to buy additional products and services. The decision to buy these services is entirely up to you. For example, a company may offer you an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a mutual fund or other investment related products for a fee. You do not need to buy these products or services as a condition for preparing and e-filing your income tax return. As long as you meet the company’s low cost offer criteria, you may simply prepare and e-file your federal and state return for a fee.

North Carolina does not endorse Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) or any other advance refund banking products

You are under no obligation to use Refund Anticipation Loans or purchase any product from the participating company (Some participating companies do not offer such services). Obtaining a fee-based product is a decision left to the individual taxpayer. Note: Taxpayers using e-file can direct deposit the refund and receive it within two weeks or less. Some companies may also offer you bank products for a fee where you may be able to deduct your amount due from your refund. You are under no obligation to purchase these products.

You may exceed eligibility criteria after selecting a company

You may determine after you start preparing your tax return with a particular company you are not eligible for the company's Low Cost service. If this notification occurs you have the following options:

1. Return back to our web site’s Individual Income Tax E-file homepage and review the list of companies and their services and select another company you may qualify for;
2. Choose a company to complete your return but take note of the low-cost displayed on the company's web site; or
3. Visit the IRS e-file Partners for Individual Taxpayers web page to view additional e-file opportunities.

Your tax information and data will be protected– Privacy and Security concerns

• Tax return preparation is accomplished using proprietary software approved by the IRS and North Carolina; transmittal is through the established IRS e-file system.
• Each company must attain a third party privacy and security certification.
• Free File Partners must comply with all federal rules and regulations on taxpayer privacy for paying and free customers. These rules prohibit use of tax return data for purposes not specifically authorized by the taxpayer.

Step by Step Instructions

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Last modified on: 04/09/08 02:34:14 PM .