How to Get Low-Cost Tax Help
Most people have to go through the annual ritual of preparing an income tax return, and few--save for lawyers and accountants--likely consider it fun or easy. That's why so many people seek help doing their taxes. But paying an accountant to prepare your tax return can be expensive, so it's important to know about how to get low-cost tax help.
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Options for Low-Cost Tax Help
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Seek out a community program. These are programs, usually staffed by volunteers, that offer free tax help to anyone who needs it. They are usually set up in public places such as libraries and shopping malls.
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Use the AARP. The AARP is an organization that caters to retirees, and its tax help is intended for people 60 and older. But Robin Talbert, president of the AARP Foundation, told The Associated Press in a March 2009 interview that anyone who brings a simple return to one of the more than 7,000 locations where the organization offers tax aid will be helped. According to The Associated Press, more than 3 million people got tax help from the AARP in 2008.
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Take advantage of a church or fraternal organization program. Some religious, charitable and fraternal organizations offer free or reduced-cost tax help to their members. If you belong to such a group, check to see what options might be available.
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Get free help from the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program to people whose annual income is $42,000 or less. Call (800) 829-1040 to find out if you are eligible and the location nearest to you offering the program. If you make up to $56,000 a year, you can file your taxes free through the IRS' online Free File program.
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Use tax software. Tax return software programs such as TurboTax and H&R Block TaxCut are available for less than $50 and walk you through the filing process and allow you to file your taxes online, which means any refund should arrive within 2 weeks.
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File online through a tax preparation company. Many tax preparation companies allow you to file online through their websites. For instance, H&R Block will allow you to file a simple federal tax return online for free. For an additional $29.99 plus tax, you can also file your state income tax online. The company also offers various programs at various fees for filing more complex returns online.
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