Mars Academy

What You Need To Know About Free Tax Filing Options

Did you know that you can file your federal and state taxes for free using dedicated services? The number of free tax filing options generally depends on your income level as well as the date you plan to file your taxes ( April 15 is the yearly tax deadline and October 15 is the final tax deadline). If your income is $66,000 or less, you can get a tax specialist to do your taxes free of charge. If you make more than $66,000 a year, you can still qualify for a free tax service, but you will have to do your own taxes. You can take advantage of one of these options virtually, by accessing United Way’s website myfreetaxes.org. This unique website allows you to file your taxes for free, either on your own or with the help of an IRS-certified specialist.

The income requirement to benefit from the help of a tax specialist is to make $55,952 or less a year. If you meet this requirement, all you have to do is select the “With Help” option and you will be put in touch with an IRS-trained tax specialist either on the phone or via Zoom. Make sure to gather all the documents and receipts to get a maximum refund. The specialist will go over your documents and file your federal and state taxes for free. It’s also worth noting that this option is also available to seniors, people with disabilities, and limited English speakers. If you are not eligible for help from a tax specialist, then you can file your own taxes for free by choosing the “On My Own” option.

This is also a convenient free tax filing option because you will benefit from 24/7 chat support, if you experience any difficulties or have any questions, and free, easy-to-use Credit Karma software. Other free filing services that you may be eligible for include VITA Tax Specialist and the IRS program known as IRS Free File ( software and fillable forms). Keep in mind that you can use the IRS manual forms and software to file your federal taxes only. The website myfreetaxes.org, on the other hand, allows you to easily and conveniently file both your federal and state taxes.

If you want to learn more about the different free tax filing options available to you, no matter your income, be sure to access United Way’s website ekscalifornia.com where you can also discover a variety of government programs you may not be aware of but may qualify for if you’re struggling with money.