Tax Preparation

Ready to file your taxes?   Sid Gudes may be able to help you.  Sid has also provided this helpful tax tech tip for filing your own taxes online for free.

Tax Preparation Services.  Don't let the IRS stress you out! Get your records together for us, and we'll do the rest.  Maximum refund, electronic filing.  See our web site at www.CougarSolutions.US/TaxPrep.  Contact Sid Gudes in Vallecitos, 505-595-4800.

How to File Tax Returns for Free
Prepared by Cougar, Inc.
February 2019

​The IRS provides an online free filing service, in conjunction with tax preparation
software providers who are part of the Free File Alliance, provided that you meet the
requirements for free filing. These are typically:
- Gross income must be less than $66,000 (some providers have lower limits)
- Some providers have minimums for income (e.g. must be at least $9,000)
- Some providers only support a certain age limit (e.g. 21 to 50)
- Some providers only offer certain state returns and not other states
To file a free tax return, use the following instructions. WARNING: do not just do a web
search for “free tax filing”. This could lead you to a rogue web site that will steal your
identity. Use only the IRS-approved site shown here.

1) Go to https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.
2) Click on the [Start Free File Now] button.
3) Fully read the information there, especially the information about fees for filing
state tax returns. Choosing a vendor who states “Free for any state return if you
qualify for the federal return” will help ensure the filing is completely free.
4) Click on the chosen vendor and start the tax preparation process on their site.
If a tax preparation vendor tries to charge you for something at the last minute, you are
always free to stop that return and go to a different vendor.
Free filing is done completely online. Make sure to print and keep detailed copies of the
tax returns and supporting data for your records, and keep your W-2, 1099, and other
forms used to prepare the return. Most free filing vendors delete the online copies of the
returns after a few months or a year. To be safe, keep your copy of the return and forms
for 10 years.

Happy Filing!