Free Tax Return Preparation for You by Volunteers

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

I have seen many posts where people are getting bad advice regarding their filing status, ie. being told that it is ok to file as single when you are married. I hate to see people being given bad tax advice, especially when they are paying for the advice. So I just want to make you aware that the IRS has a program where volunteers prepare your income tax for free. There is no guarantee that you won't get bad advice but at least you won't be paying for it. Here is a brief description of the program and a link to the webpage where you can get more information:

The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $52,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

[islandgirl80 28]

I have seen many posts where people are getting bad advice regarding their filing status, ie. being told that it is ok to file as single when you are married. I hate to see people being given bad tax advice, especially when they are paying for the advice. So I just want to make you aware that the IRS has a program where volunteers prepare your income tax for free. There is no guarantee that you won't get bad advice but at least you won't be paying for it. Here is a brief description of the program and a link to the webpage where you can get more information:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

Thank you for the info.

[Ning 619]

I have seen many posts where people are getting bad advice regarding their filing status, ie. being told that it is ok to file as single when you are married. I hate to see people being given bad tax advice, especially when they are paying for the advice. So I just want to make you aware that the IRS has a program where volunteers prepare your income tax for free. There is no guarantee that you won't get bad advice but at least you won't be paying for it. Here is a brief description of the program and a link to the webpage where you can get more information:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

If there is any chance of being given bad advise I see no point in seeking a source that could do that to people. Its free as you say but what good is it if its not correct?

Another way to figure out the answers to the basic questions is to use a site such as Tax Hawk where people can follow the program inserting info as they wish while trying different things. These programs also have help portions where people can find out which status fits their situation and why.

Using Tax Hawk is free for the federal return. There are several other similar programs found on line.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

If there is any chance of being given bad advise I see no point in seeking a source that could do that to people. Its free as you say but what good is it if its not correct?

Another way to figure out the answers to the basic questions is to use a site such as Tax Hawk where people can follow the program inserting info as they wish while trying different things. These programs also have help portions where people can find out which status fits their situation and why.

Using Tax Hawk is free for the federal return. There are several other similar programs found on line.

Thanks for pointing out additional free resources for getting tax information and help.

I agree with you but my point is why pay for advice that still might not be good, when you can get it for free. As far as I know there are no requirements to get certification for being able to hold yourself out as a paid tax preparer. If you go to a VITA site at least you know that these volunteers have received basic tax law training from the IRS.

I am in my 35th year as an Internal Revenue Agent and if I want to participate as a volunteer in the VITA program I still have to take the IRS test to be certified. That is one of the reasons I stopped doing VITA work. I thought that as an IRS Agent that it was ridiculous that I should have to take a test to be a volunteer. I can audit individual and corporate tax returns without taking a test but if I want to prepare returns for VITA I have to take a test every year.

[Ning 619]

Thanks for pointing out additional free resources for getting tax information and help.

I agree with you but my point is why pay for advice that still might not be good, when you can get it for free. As far as I know there are no requirements to get certification for being able to hold yourself out as a paid tax preparer. If you go to a VITA site at least you know that these volunteers have received basic tax law training from the IRS.

I am in my 35th year as an Internal Revenue Agent and if I want to participate as a volunteer in the VITA program I still have to take the IRS test to be certified. That is one of the reasons I stopped doing VITA work. I thought that as an IRS Agent that it was ridiculous that I should have to take a test to be a volunteer. I can audit individual and corporate tax returns without taking a test but if I want to prepare returns for VITA I have to take a test every year.

Still you said the advise by the VITA people may also not be correct. But as you also say they had to test so they should be accurate.

What is your advise as a IRS agent for married peoples filing status? As far as I know they should file married filing jointly.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Still you said the advise by the VITA people may also not be correct. But as you also say they had to test so they should be accurate.

What is your advise as a IRS agent for married peoples filing status? As far as I know they should file married filing jointly.

I think most married people are better off filing a joint return. It is an unusual situation when the couple is better off filing returns as Married Filing Separately. That is what is nice about using tax software like TurboTax. It makes it very each to see which filing status is better for you.

[Ning 619]

I think most married people are better off filing a joint return. It is an unusual situation when the couple is better off filing returns as Married Filing Separately. That is what is nice about using tax software like TurboTax. It makes it very each to see which filing status is better for you.

That is exactly what we found out by experimenting with Tax Hawk which is very similar to Turbo Tax.