Doing taxes online for free

It doesn't happen often, but sometimes there's an advantage to being a working stiff. Tax time is one of them.

If you make under $57,000, you can probably do your federal taxes for free using online software programs. They use simple question-and-answer formats designed for ordinary folks. The programs fill out the forms.

Missouri residents should start at www.dor.mo.gov. Click on "file and pay personal taxes online." You'll find links to tax prep companies that will let you do both federal and Missouri taxes online for free.

Note that the companies' criteria vary for who gets free service. Some favor young people, and some have income limits well below $57,000.

For Illinois residents, it's a two-step process: file federal taxes first and then state taxes.

They can find a free service for only federal taxes at the IRS website, www.irs.gov. Click on "free file."

With their federal returns completed, most Illinois residents can do their state taxes for free on the state tax website. www.tax.illinois.gov. People with unusual returns, such as their own corporations or trust income, can't use the service. Neither can people in civil unions.

Have a live person do your taxes for free:

If you make less than $50,000, a trained volunteer will do your state and federal taxes for free at dozens of sites around the St. Louis region. The programs are run by the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, the AARP and the Gateway EITC Coalition.

Coalition director Russ Signorino estimates that the service saves a family $250 to $260 in fees charged at a commercial tax preparer.

For information, dial 211, the region's social service connection number, or 800-427-4626 or 800-906-9887, or check the IRS.gov website. A partial list of centers is at www.gecc.us. Click on "tax sites."