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There are plenty of ways to do taxes for free if you know where to look. On top of finding live people who can do this for you, there are plenty of free accounting software programs that will do your taxes with little effort involved. Here are some of the best places to look for free tax preparation by accountants.
Call Your Bank
Often times banks and credit unions will offer accounts to do your taxes for free to their customers and members. Sometimes they will have certain days that this is offered on. Other times you may be given access to a professional financial planner if you hold certain account types to use at your convenience. The financial planners can often point you in the right direction if they are unable to prepare the taxes for you.
Senior Centers
Most times during tax season senior centers and other agencies devoted to helping our senior citizens will have tax accountants available on a volunteer base for those that qualify. If you are a senior citizen places like AARP and other senior programs can set you up with an appointment to have a professional do your taxes at no charge. You may also want to check with other senior service programs in your area.
Military Personnel
If you are in the armed forces you and your family will qualify to have your taxes done for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Not only are these volunteers able to do your taxes, but they will be trained in special tax issues that people in the armed forces are eligible for, such as combat zone tax benefits. This is supported by the IRS and you can get information through the IRS website or through the military resources.
Low Income Tax Assistance
In most cases if you make under $49,000 you can get professional tax preparation for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. These programs will almost always take place at neighborhood libraries, schools, and community centers. Watch your community bulletin boards for information about this. You may need to make an appointment, and in some cases it’s a first come, first serve program.
Free Software Programs
If you don’t qualify for any of the above services you may still be able to get your taxes done for free by utilizing a free tax software program. Many of these programs will allow you to prepare your taxes using professional accounting software and then charge a small fee to file for you. If you opt not to pay for filing you can usually print the documents out and mail them in without being charged a fee. Some examples of these software programs include TurboTax and H&R Block TaxCut. You can find these programs online usually and use a limited version for free. If you are claiming a lot of deductions, or have taxes that aren’t standard, you may need to pay for the software.
There are plenty of ways to get your taxes done for free by qualified professionals. You just need to know where to look.
Call Your Bank
Often times banks and credit unions will offer accounts to do your taxes for free to their customers and members. Sometimes they will have certain days that this is offered on. Other times you may be given access to a professional financial planner if you hold certain account types to use at your convenience. The financial planners can often point you in the right direction if they are unable to prepare the taxes for you.
Senior Centers
Most times during tax season senior centers and other agencies devoted to helping our senior citizens will have tax accountants available on a volunteer base for those that qualify. If you are a senior citizen places like AARP and other senior programs can set you up with an appointment to have a professional do your taxes at no charge. You may also want to check with other senior service programs in your area.
Military Personnel
If you are in the armed forces you and your family will qualify to have your taxes done for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Not only are these volunteers able to do your taxes, but they will be trained in special tax issues that people in the armed forces are eligible for, such as combat zone tax benefits. This is supported by the IRS and you can get information through the IRS website or through the military resources.
Low Income Tax Assistance
In most cases if you make under $49,000 you can get professional tax preparation for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. These programs will almost always take place at neighborhood libraries, schools, and community centers. Watch your community bulletin boards for information about this. You may need to make an appointment, and in some cases it’s a first come, first serve program.
Free Software Programs
If you don’t qualify for any of the above services you may still be able to get your taxes done for free by utilizing a free tax software program. Many of these programs will allow you to prepare your taxes using professional accounting software and then charge a small fee to file for you. If you opt not to pay for filing you can usually print the documents out and mail them in without being charged a fee. Some examples of these software programs include TurboTax and H&R Block TaxCut. You can find these programs online usually and use a limited version for free. If you are claiming a lot of deductions, or have taxes that aren’t standard, you may need to pay for the software.
There are plenty of ways to get your taxes done for free by qualified professionals. You just need to know where to look.
