Walmart to offer free federal 1040 EZ tax filing in some 3,000 stores

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is expanding the services it offers at tax time to include free in-store federal Form 1040EZ filing.



The chain has partnered with Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block to double its in-store tax kiosks and lower the cost for tax preparation services. Jackson Hewitt will offer free federal Form 1040EZ filing at its Walmart kiosks throughout the tax season, and H&R Block will offer a free federal Form 1040EZ until Feb. 29.



H&R Block will have 250 kiosks in Walmart stores, while Jackson Hewitt is adding approximately 800 kiosks bringing their Walmart footprint to 2,800.



Form 1040EZ is generally used by single or married taxpayers who claim no dependents and who do not itemize deductions. Customers can file a free 1040EZ at Walmart stores with Jackson Hewitt kiosks throughout tax season, but stores with H&R Block kiosks will only offer it until the end of February.



"We believe Americans shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs," said Daniel Eckert, VP of Walmart Financial Services. "It’s their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price."



Each of the 2,800 Jackson-Hewitt and 250 H&R Block kiosks will offer a full range of tax preparation services to customers at all income levels through April 15. Consumers will have the option of filing their return and having it deposited to their checking account or directly onto a Walmart MoneyCard, which is a prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit card that can be used wherever it's accepted.



"With more than 3,000 tax preparation kiosks in Walmart stores across the U.S. and low flat-fee check cashing services, our customers can conveniently make their refund dollars stretch farther by simply taking care of their tax needs at Walmart,” Eckert said.