Where can consumers get their income taxes done free or for a small fee?

If you're ready NOW for a 1040EZ, BusinessWeek says H&R Block is the place for free federal filing. You'll still have to pay for the state filing. (I've seen commercials for this, too--it just started.) "The 2011 tax season is under way and the airwaves are full of a deal that sounds too good to be true: For another month, Americans can visit their local H&R Block (HRB) office and file their taxes for no charge.

How and why would the nation's largest tax filer give its service away for free? In a nutshell: 1) H&R Block is being forced to scramble harder this tax season to compete with other filing services.2) It's unable to offer a service that brought in customers in years past.3) The "free taxes" offer isn't for everyone. Here are the details: What's the Catch?

The promotion only covers those filing the 1040EZ federal form, which is about 16 percent of H&R Block customers. The 1040EZ form covers only the very simplest tax issues.It can't be used by anyone who has dependents, makes more than $100,000 per year, is age 65 or older, claims adjustment to income like alimony or tuition deductions, or itemizes deductions. Thus, homeowners who deduct mortgage interest or people with large charitable contributions can't use the 1040EZ.

Even those customers who can use a 1040EZ will have to pay H&R Block extra to file any state income tax returns. Just seven states—Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming—have no income tax. The offer began on Jan.14, when H&R Block's local offices started filing 2010 returns, and ends on Feb. 15.

From Feb.15 to Apr. 18 (the tax filing deadline is different this year because of a holiday on Apr.15 in the District of Columbia), customers will be charged to file a 1040EZ at an H&R Block office. That's an important consideration for taxpayers who may still be waiting for key end-of-the-year paperwork." Read more at source: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jan2011/pi20110114_944345.htm I think that's only filing, not preparation.

To help get the forms done, The IRS has volunteers, and you can read all about them here: The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Trained community volunteers may help with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper – even faster when tax refunds are deposited directly into one's bank account.

" Read more at: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html There is a free version of TurboTax, too--the real deal. See it here: http://turbotax.intuit.com.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.