Mississippi Provides Free Online State Tax Filing Services

Gov. Haley Barbour recently announced that Mississippi has entered into an agreement with private sector companies to provide free state tax preparation and e-filing services to Mississippi taxpayers who in calendar year 2003 were: active-duty military (including National Guard and reservists); lower-income (including taxpayers eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit); senior citizens 62 and over; and students and first-time filers 22 and younger.

The agreement -- called the Mississippi Free File Alliance -- closely tracks the federal Free File Alliance, a public-private partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a consortium of tax preparation software companies that make federal tax services available for free.

"The Free File Alliance makes it possible for thousands of hard-working Mississippi taxpayers to prepare and file both their state and federal taxes online for free," said Barbour. "The services that are available through the Alliance will make it easier for taxpayers to claim all the credits and deductions for which they are entitled. And if they file electronically and use direct deposit, they can receive their state refund in as little as seven to 10 days."

"Taxpayers using this free service do not need to own a computer. They can use computer terminals in their local public library, or other places that offer public access to the Internet," said Barbour.

The press conference was held at the headquarters of the Mississippi National Guard to help underscore that these services are available free of charge to all active duty military personnel.