The free service is offered through the Free File Alliance, a public-private partnership agreement between 10 states, the Internal Revenue Service, and software companies in the tax preparation industry.
"This partnership will provide a majority of Idaho taxpayers a free and easy way to prepare and file their income tax returns electronically," Kempthorne said.
Taxpayers can find a list of the participating software companies, as well as eligibility requirements, by going to the Idaho State Tax Commission's Web site. About 60 percent of filers will qualify to use the free filing service.
Electronic filing increases the accuracy of returns and reduces tax return preparation time. Electronic filers also get faster refunds.
"Electronic filing gets refunds to taxpayers in one-third the time it takes to process a paper return refund," explained Steve Miller, revenue operations administrator for the State Tax Commission.
Last year, one in three Idaho taxpayers filed their individual income tax return electronically.
