Free Tax Help is Available to Many in Greater Pittsburgh and Nationwide

Thousands of free tax preparation sites sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service are open nationwide, including dozens of sites in West and Westcentral Pennsylvania. The IRS partners with nonprofit and community organizations to provide free tax preparation services for qualified taxpayers.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help generally to people who earn $51,000 and less. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offers free tax help to taxpayers with priority assistance to people who are 60 and older. Many sites have multilingual volunteers who can assist people with limited English skills.

Taxpayers need to present the following items to have their returns prepared:

• Photo identification
• Valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for taxpayer, spouse and dependents, if applicable
• Birth dates for taxpayer, spouse and dependents on the tax return
• 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
• Proof of bank or credit union 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 return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Trained and certified community volunteers can help eligible taxpayers claim valuable credits and deductions, such as the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for the Elderly. Many people may also get assistance in claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a significant financial boost to low- and moderate-income workers. Volunteers can help eligible taxpayers file a tax return, even if they do not have a filing requirement, and specifically claim the credit to get the benefit.

To locate the nearest VITA site, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov or call 800-906-9887.

As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program 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 TCE site, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov or call 888-227-7669.

The military also partners with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC) oversees the operation of the military tax programs worldwide. Volunteers are trained and equipped to address military specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits and the effect of the EITC guidelines.

In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, sites also provide free electronic filing. Taxpayers who file electronically can opt to file now and pay later. If taxpayers owe, they can make a payment April 15, 2013, by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from a bank account, paying by credit, by check or money order (made out to the United States Treasury) using Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher.

For taxpayers who want to prepare and e-file their own tax returns, there are two options. The IRS now offers a self-assistance service at many VITA and TCE sites. Individuals with a simple return that need help or do not have access to a computer can visit a self-help tax preparation site. An IRS-certified volunteer can guide them through the process. In addition, taxpayers may use IRS Free File. Everyone can use Free File through www.irs.gov/freefile, the free way to prepare and e-file federal taxes either using brand-name software or online fillable forms. Individuals or families with incomes of $57,000 or less can use Free File software. Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, has no income restrictions.