nationwide this year as the Internal Revenue Service continues to expand its
partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations performing vital tax
preparation services for low-income and elderly taxpayers.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help
to people who earn less than $42,000. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly
(TCE) Program offers free tax help to taxpayers who are 60 and older.
Today, partners and local officials will be hosting news conferences or
issuing news releases nationwide to highlight the Earned Income Tax Credit
and their free tax preparation programs. The EITC is already the
government's largest cash assistance program targeted to low-income
Americans. However, not all eligible taxpayers may be aware or claim the
credit.
Taxpayers need to bring to the VITA/TCE sites the following items:
* Photo identification
* Valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
* Birth dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return
* Current year's tax package, if received
* Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all
employers
* Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
* A copy of last year's federal and state returns, if available
* Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit
* Other relevant information about income and expenses
* Total paid for day care
* Day care provider's identifying number
To file taxes electronically on a Married Filing Jointly tax return, both
spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
Trained community volunteers can help eligible taxpayers with all special
credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or Credit for the Elderly. Also, many
sites have language specialists to assist people with limited English
skills.
In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites use free
electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file
program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns
filed on paper - even faster if taxpayers have their refund deposited
directly into their bank accounts.
As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide
counseling program at nearly 8,000 sites nationwide during the filing
season. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors help people
of low-to-middle income with special attention to people age 60 and older.
To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit
AARP's Internet site.
The military also partners with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to
military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC)
consists of the tax program coordinators for the Army, Air Force, Navy,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The AFTC oversees the operation of the
military tax programs worldwide, and serves as the main conduit for outreach
by the IRS to military personnel and their families. Volunteers are trained
and equipped to address military specific tax issues, such as combat zone
tax benefits and the effect of the EITC guidelines.
If taxpayers owe, they can make a payment April 15 by authorizing an
electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from a checking or savings
account, paying by credit (Discover CardR, American ExpressR, MasterCardR or
VISAR Card), or by check or money order (made out to the United States
Treasury) using Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher.
Gary L. Britt, CPA, J.D.
1200 Abernathy Road, Suite 1700
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
404-567-6445
www.AttorneyBritt.com “Lawyer's That Mean Business”
0 comments:
Post a Comment