|
|
|
Taxpayers have another two months to file their federal and state income taxes before the April 18 deadline, but many are not waiting until the final few days to do so. While some feel the best option is to take their taxes to a Certified Public Accountant or other tax preparation business, others look for free options to file taxes.
The Examiner has compiled a list of 10 free ways to file taxes.
| 10 Free Advice. |
Many companies, both online and on-site, will offer free advice to those individuals with an income more than $58,000. Advice can sometimes help in determining the best place to have a return prepared, even if it’s not for free. |
| 9 TaxAct. |
TaxAct is another website that offers free federal tax return filing. There are no income or age restrictions, and the free software can handle simple as well as complex income tax returns. State income taxes do have an additional fee to file. Visit the TaxAct website at www.taxact.com for more information. |
| 8 My Free Taxes. |
This website offers free tax preparation and filing for individuals who made less than $58,000 in 2010 through the H&R Block software. In addition, the company provides tax preparation in person for free in cooperation with partners such as the United Way and other non-profit organizations. For more information or to find a site, visits the Web site at www.myfreetaxes.com. |
| 7 The Armed Forces Tax Council. |
This program is specifically geared toward military personnel and their families. Tax program coordinators are offered for the Air Force, Navy, Army, marine Corps and Coast Guard. Unlike other organizations or tax preparation companies, volunteers trained by the IRS for the Armed Forces Tax Council are knowledgeable in specific military tax issues. Anyone in the military throughout the world is eligible to receive tax preparation assistance for free. In addition, most can also file their tax returns electronically. For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov. |
| 6 H&R Block. |
H&R Block offers both free advice from tax preparers as well as free preparation and e-file services with H&R Block at Home Free Edition on its website, www.hrblock.com. In addition, the tax preparation company is offering free simple federal tax return preparation and filing until Feb. 28. A simple tax return means that there are no dependents, the standard deduction is claimed, no mortgage payment exists and the individual or couple has a taxable income of less than $100,000. State tax returns cost $39 per state. |
| 5 AARP. |
A Tax-Aide Counseling Program is provided by AARP in conjunction with the IRS. According to the IRS website, this program is available at more than 7,000 sites throughout the United States. This program is offered to senior citizens 60-years who have low to moderate incomes. Two sites in Eastern Jackson County offer the tax-Aide Counseling Program, the Sermon Center in Independence and Vesper Hall in Blue Springs. Call the Palmer Center at 325-6200 or Vesper Hall at 228-0181 for more information. Other sites can be found by visiting www.aarp.org. |
| 4 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. |
VITA is a program geared toward individuals with low to moderate income, usually less than $49,000. This free help is provided by IRS trained volunteers, who are sponsored by a variety of different organizations. Volunteers usually visit libraries, community centers, schools and even malls to offer the free service. Free electronic filing is sometimes also offered at these sites. VITA locations in Eastern Jackson County include MCC-Blue River, Trails West Public Library in Independence and MCC-Longview in Lee’s Summit. No appointments are required. Call for more information. To find other VITA sites, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov. |
| 3 Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program. |
The TCE Program is available to those individuals who are 60-years or older. The Internal Revenue Service trains volunteers from non-profit organizations who provide free tax help and tax preparation for individuals who have basic income tax returns. For more information on the Trained Counseling for Elderly Program, call 800-829-1040. |
| 2 Free File Fillable Forms, by the IRS. |
Similar to the free tax software, this option allows individuals eligible for the IRS free tax file program to use the free fillable forms. The forms are identical to the paper forms and are geared for people who can complete their own tax returns. The fillable forms option does not provide a state income tax component. |
| 1 Free File tax software, by the IRS. |
Individuals or couples that have an adjusted gross income of less than $58,000 are eligible to file federal tax returns for free through the IRS website. This program, offered through a partnership with the IRS and the Free File Alliance, allows a taxpayer to prepare and file the federal income tax return for free up until the April 18 deadline. Extensions can also be requested through the free service. |
