RETAILOBSERVER.COM MARCH 2016
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F I N A N C E S I R S T A X T I P S
F
ind free options to get tax help to prepare and file your
return on www.IRS.gov. If you qualify, you may be able to
get tax help in your local IRS campus or community. Go to
www.IRS.gov and click on the Filing tab to see your options.
And make sure you tell your friends and family that the most
convenient way to get help is online at www.IRS.gov.
There are several options for tax help and free tax preparation:
• Start with www.IRS.gov to find answers to many of your tax
questions right away. Find information about filing options,
the status of a refund, making a payment or requesting a
transcript and more.
• Free File is an option available to taxpayers with income less
than $ 62,000. A number of tax software companies make
their products available for free on IRS.gov. All taxpayers,
regardless of income, can use Free File Fillable Forms – the
free, electronic version of paper tax forms.
• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers
free tax preparation for low-to moderate-income taxpayers.
You can type in your ZIP code to find a VITA site near you or
download the IRS2Go app on your smart phone to find a free
tax prep provider in your area.
• Tax Counseling for the Elderly, operated by the AARP
Foundation's Tax Aide program, offers priority assistance to
people who are at least 60 years old. To find a TCE site, visit
the AARP locator webpage.
• At select tax sites, taxpayers also have an option to prepare
their own basic federal and state tax return for free with help
from an IRS-certified volunteer to guide you through the
process. This option is only available at locations that list
"Self-Prep" in the site listing.
• Choose wisely if you're getting someone to prepare your
taxes for you. If you choose to seek help from a paid tax
professional to prepare and file your tax return, here's
something to remember: You are legally responsible for
everything reported on your tax return—whether you prepare it
yourself or have someone else prepare it for you. So you
should choose help wisely.
Here are a few tips when you're selecting an individual or
company to prepare your taxes:
• Check the qualifications of the person or company.
• Check the preparer's history.
• Ask about their service fees.
• Make sure the person or company is accessible after the April
due date in case you have a question about your return.
The preparer you choose should:
• Ask you to provide all receipts and records needed to prepare
your return.
• Not ask you to direct any part of your refund to an account
that is not in your or your spouse's name.
• Never ask you to sign a blank return.
• Allow you to review the completed return, including all
schedules and attachments, and explain it all to you before
you sign it.
• Sign the return, include his or her tax identification number
and provide you with a copy.
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