Tax Returns: Free Help and Three Extra Days To File
March 08, 2011|By KORKY VANN, kvann@courant.com, The Hartford Courant
No need to circle April 15 in black on your calendar. This year, everyone gets an extra three days to file federal and
state taxes. (The Internal Revenue Service extended the filing date until April 18 because Emancipation Day, a
holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15.)
Many of us can get free tax-preparation services and e-filings as well.
On March 26 (and other Saturdays yet to be announced), close to 100 IRS offices across the country will be open
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide free help to taxpayers. (Participating offices in Connecticut are at 135 High St. in
Hartford and 150 Court St. in New Haven.)
"We're opening our doors on these Saturdays to help taxpayers who may not have a chance to seek assistance during
the work week," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman in a press release. "If taxpayers need help preparing their tax
returns or have an account question, we encourage them to visit one of our open houses."
If you can't make it to an open house, you can visit IRS.gov. The website provides information on Free File, a free
federal income tax preparation and filing program offered by the IRS and a group of tax-software companies. Free
File allows taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of up to $58,000 to use commercial tax software for free. Just
gather your tax records, log on and follow question-and-answer software prompts (available in both English and
Spanish). The program enters your information directly into the forms, does the math for you and files your return
online. Choose direct deposit, and you can track your refund status online.
If you make more than $58,000, you can still fill out and file your tax forms online. You'll have to do your own
calculations, but you can enter your tax data, sign electronically, print your returns for record keeping and e-file your
returns at no charge. (This option does not include state tax filings.) Be sure to access Free File through the IRS's
website. If you go through a tax software company website, you may be charged a fee.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (under
$49,000) people who need assistance preparing returns. (VITA also offers free tax preparation and filing for some
military personnel.)
AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the IRS, offers free tax counseling and
preparation to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people 60 and older. To find the nearest
AARP Tax-Aide site, call toll-free at 1-888-227-7669.
VITA and Tax-Aide sites, also listed at ct.gov/drs, are at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools and
even shopping malls. Some locations offer free electronic federal and state filing.
A new publication from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, "Connecticut Tax Tips for Seniors,"
provides information on the state income tax — including no state income tax on Social Security benefits for single
filers with an adjusted gross income less than $50,000 or joint filers at less than $60,000, and available credit for
property taxes paid locally. Other information covers taxes on sales and use, estates, gifts, property and real estate
conveyances.
Active-duty National Guard and Reserve service members and their families can file state and federal taxes free at the
Defense Department's military family support site, MilitaryOneSource.com. The site also offers a tax hotline at 800-
730-3802.
If you have a simple tax return (1040 EZ, for example), you can file federal returns free at a number of sites,
includingTurboTax.Intuit.com, TaxAct.com, HRBlock and FreeTaxUSA.com. (Additional charges apply for state tax
returns.) Some sites also provide free tax guidance tools.
If you make less than $57,000 and have an e-mail address, you can file state and federal taxes for free online
atMyFreeTaxes.com. Sponsored by the Walmart Foundation and other organizations, the program features both
online and in-person help with tax prep. Check the website for local tax-filing centers.
Connecticut residents can get free assistance in completing Connecticut returns from the Connecticut Department of
Revenue Services (DRS) by telephone or in person at the Hartford office. Find details on when to go and what
paperwork to bring at ct.gov/drs.
As a small consolation, remember, if you do end up paying for any tax-preparation services or software, some of the
costs may be deductible.
WARNING: BEWARE OF REFUND SCAMS
If someone calls or e-mails you claiming to have information about your tax refund, hang up or delete the message
immediately. That's the word from the state Department of Revenue Services, which is warning residents about
current scams promising immediate tax refunds to those who provide a Social Security number and/or bank account
information.
Neither the IRS nor the DRS contact taxpayers about pending refunds or ask for Social Security numbers or bank
account numbers. Taxpayers are only eligible for refunds if they've filed a tax return. To verify any messages you've
received, call DRS at 860-297-5962 or 1-800-382-9463.