Taxes

Filing taxes can be difficult sometimes. However, there are plenty of resources available both online and in-person to make it a stress-free process.

The VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program may be able to offer free (in-person) income tax prep to you if you meet any of the following conditions:

  • Earn moderate income or less

  • Have a disability

  • Do not speak English well

  • Are a senior citizen

Use this official IRS locator to see where the VITA is available near you! The VITA program should be able to help with filing both Federal and State Income taxes.

The IRS's Free File can be a great, free way to do your federal and possibly state income taxes without having to leave your home. Free File is further divided into two programs: Guided Tax Preparation and Free Fillable Forms. In order to be eligible for Guided Tax Prep, you must make at most $72,000 a year, whereas nearly anyone can use Fillable Forms. The Guided Tax Preparation is a much more comprehensive service than the Free Fillable Forms, so it's very much encouraged to pick Guided Tax Prep if you are eligible.

The Guided Tax Preparation program is administered through an IRS Partner site such as Turbotax. You will be able to choose which partner site you use. Note that some partner sites may have different eligibility requirements than the $72,000 income maximum previously mentioned. The partner site will ask you basic questions and do all the math required to file taxes for you. In addition to allowing you to file federal taxes, some services will give you the opportunity to file your state taxes. This feature is useful because it allows you to keep all your taxes in one place. The Guided Tax Preparation program is completely online.

Free Fillable Forms have no income limits but will not allow you to file state taxes. Additionally, they lack the simple questions and extensive calculations done in the Guided Tax Preparation program. Their sole purpose is to provide you with an online tax form and a way to submit it online, so their primary benefit is making it so you don't have to deal with paper forms. More info about the two programs can be found on the IRS website here.

The TCE, or Tax Counseling for the Elderly, is a program similar to VITA but with a special focus on providing tax services for older people. It is in person and can help you file state and federal income taxes. You can find places that participate in the program with this official IRS locator.