The tax season starts each year in January. Filing your taxes can seem like a tedious process between gathering papers, receipts, and financial information. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers solutions to make filing taxes simpler and perhaps even for free.
Don't let filing stress you out this year; instead, look into these resources to make it simpler.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC)
People who speak English as a second language can get assistance from a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), which represents low-income people who have a tax dispute with the IRS. Clinics additionally offer guidance and instruction regarding taxpayer rights. Services are offered for no cost or for a small cost. Before agreeing to assist you, your local LITC will assess your eligibility based on your income and other factors. Visit the LITC page on the IRS website to learn more about eligibility requirements and to get in touch with a representative in your area.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
For those who require assistance filing their own tax returns, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services. Free basic tax return preparation and electronic filing are offered to eligible people by volunteers who have received IRS certification. These volunteers serve are local and may provide their services in your local community.
To qualify for this program, you must:
Earn $60,000 or less
Be disabled
Not speak English well; or
Be a senior citizen
IRS Free File
IRS Free File, which is exclusively available at IRS.gov, makes filing your federal taxes easier by using Free File Fillable Forms or guided tax preparation that handles the tedious work for you. You can create your own tax return and e-file it for free using this online tax preparation service. Additionally, you can locate the tax breaks you are entitled to and fulfill your health care reporting obligations with the assistance of a tax preparation professional. Some IRS Free File providers additionally provide free state return preparing services.
Your tax return is securely delivered to the IRS when you prepare and file it electronically using IRS Free File software or fillable forms. Additionally, you receive a confirmation that the IRS has approved your tax return. Your return can be printed for free. The quickest method to get a refund is to use both e-file and direct deposit.
To begin using IRS Free File, all you need is a computer and an email address. Access to IRS Free File is only available through IRS.gov. IRS Free File Providers offers free federal tax returns, and some also provide free state returns. To use the IRS Free File software with guidance, you must be eligible. The IRS Free File Online Lookup Tool can help you determine which offers you are eligible for.
To learn more about how to file through Free File options, visit the IRS Do Your Taxes for Free page.
Direct Deposit
An electronic tax refund transfer from the IRS to your bank account using Direct Deposit is a free service. It's easy, simple, and secure to use direct deposit. You can obtain your refund more quickly with Direct Deposit than with a paper check, whether you file electronically or on paper. Additionally, direct deposit eliminates the possibility that your check will be misplaced, stolen, or returned to the IRS as undeliverable.
If you have a bank account and are receiving a federal tax refund, you are eligible for direct deposit. On your tax form or tax software, you can choose Direct Deposit and enter your banking details and routing number. To learn more about this visit Direct Deposit and how to set it up for your refund. Additionally, you can find out about the specific requirements, other programs, and find a local help center.
To learn more about additional services you may qualify through our organizations or our partners, check out our Service Questionnaire. It is easy to use, just takes five minutes, and someone from our team will get in touch with you.