Free Tax Preparation Resources for Federal Returns
By Carmen on January 27, 2012 6:00 am | Leave A Comment

Fun is over. We had our big holiday season, now it’s time to give the government their yearly tax gift. Boo!

Of course there are some of us who get money back, but it is still a pain to get everything filed correctly. Whether you pay or get paid there is ALWAYS the worry and anxiety experienced just after doing your own taxes.

Did I do them right? Did I forget to deduct something? Did I deduct too much? Will I get audited? Am I going to jail for tax fraud?

For years I thought the IRS would come banging on my door because we were getting back really big tax returns…I mean big…one was $14,000. It scared me. Then I found out that my husband had been claiming “single” and “0″ when he should have been claiming “married” and “4″… Slight oversight. Luckily we didn’t owe $14k.

Mistakes happen either way and I value my sleep and sense of well being at night. Luckily there is free, good quality help out there to help us all with our taxes.

I personally thank VITA program volunteers for finding the mistake in the way my husband claimed his income. They empowered me to file my own taxes. I have done so for the past five years through Turbo Tax Free edition. My husband is in the military, I have a home office, and do a lot of side jobs and contracts – so I have to make sure I file correctly

Here is a list of free tax preparation resources to get you started:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The VITA Program offers free help to low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. The income threshold is generally $50,000. Certified volunteers are trained to prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.

Community centers
Public libraries
YMCA’s across the country
Military Bases
Schools
Shopping Malls
Many other convenient locations!

To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-906-9887.

IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program provides free tax help to people aged 60 and older. The program is run by trained volunteers from non-profit organizations Volunteers are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS, like AARP.

For more information on TCE, call 1-800-906-9887.

What are your biggest challenges when it comes to filing your taxes? Do you prepare them yourself or do you take them in?

None of the links above are affiliate links.