Get Free Help with Your Federal Taxes

Tax Day is nearly upon us! Have you filed your 2017 tax returns yet? This year’s tax due date is April 17, 2018, only a few weeks away. I’ve found that many people put off filing their tax returns for many reasons. One of those reasons is that they cannot afford to pay a tax preparer or certified public accountant to help them and don’t have the resources or access to try and file the returns on their own.

Free Assistance with Filing your Taxes

If you need help, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a free program to help you prepare your tax forms. It is called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. You can qualify for the VITA program if your income is below $54,000 per year, if English is NOT your first language, or if you are physically disabled.

In addition, the IRS also offers Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). This program assists taxpayers age 60 and over. TCE specializes in pension and retirement situations that are specific to seniors. These programs run through, at least, April 16. They are staffed with volunteers who have been trained and certified by the IRS. They typically are held in public libraries, strip malls, community centers and (sometimes) at colleges.

You can find out more about these free programs by visiting the IRS website, or you can speak to a live operator by calling 1-800-906-9887. If you meet with a volunteer at one of these programs, you will need to be prepared to provide the past year’s federal tax return, a picture ID, your proof of income or W-2 and any other relevant tax documents for the current year’s taxes. If you anticipate a refund, you should also provide a voided check.

Remit Your Returns and Payments on Time

It is best to remit your federal tax returns on time to avoid interest and penalties that will be charged to you for a late filed return. If you owe federal tax debt, it is best to remit payment in a timely manner as well. If you are unable to pay the entire amount owed at the time you remit your return, it is still important to timely file the return and then seek options for repayment of the tax debt.

If you do owe tax debt that you are unable to pay, the experienced attorneys at Bond & Botes may be able to help you. If you have tax debt or any other debt that is a burden to you, please contact one of our offices today for a free consultation on how we can help.