who offers the cheapest tax preparation services?

looking for the cheapest rate for tax preparation. i'm in Chicago

Public Comments

1. The cheapest tax prep is not always the least expensive. A lot of people save $100 and pay out more than that in additional taxes. Talk to your friends for recommendations. When they do recommend someone, get their name, not just the company they work for, and make an appointment with that person. When you find someone who knows your situation well, and you feel comfortable with, stick with them. A lot of people go to the same office for years and take "the next available preparer". Sooner or later you will find a bad one.
2. Free File at the IRS website, you only pay a nominal fee for State Returns If you make under 52,000.00 http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html
3. If you do not qualify for the free file from the IRS website (gross income < $52,000) you may still use the same services provided on the website and pay nominal fee ($30 - $100 depending on the level of detail on the filing you desire). www.h&rblock.com and www.turbotax.com both have online softwares to help you prepare taxes. These softwares give you tips for filing your taxes and will suggest deductions you can take. If will also track your amount of deduction (or additional taxes) as you complete sections of the forms. You will not need to pay until the filing is completed! Often you will find that the $ you save outweighs the $ you pay. I have used these services (including through www.irs.gov) for the past 5 years and have found them to live up to their reputation. Enjoy!
4. Please visit the following site: http://www.irs.gov There are list of free e-file if your adjusted gross income is $52,000 or less
5. Local 52 of the Brotherhood of Iron Workers, Arlington, Illinois. Contact our brethren Mrs. Robinson on Saturdays.