Volunteer Tax Assistance

Much to everyone’s chagrin the 2010 tax season is almost upon us. If you are looking for 2010 income tax preparation that won’t cost a dime,you may qualify for a sponsored community based  IRS program.

These are a few facts you may want to know about the Volunteer Tax Assistance programs.

  1. The Volunteer Tax Assistance and 2010 Tax Council program for senior citizens are sponsored by the IRS.

  2. The Volunteer Tax Assistance service gives 2010 tax assistance free of charge for those who earned less than $49,000. Some locations have free filing services.

  3. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly service gives tax assistance to those age 60 and older.

  4. If you don’t speak good English, several sites provide free translation services.

  5. The program volunteers get raining from the IRS to assist qualified taxpayers with tax credits and deductions like the Earned income Credit, elderly tax benefit, and child tax benefit.

  6. As many as 12,000 free locations are open for the 2010 tax year across the country as the IRS proceeds to establish more business relationships with community and nonprofit centers carrying out these important services.

  7. AARP has more than 6000 Volunteer Tax Assistance locations providing the free tax help program during tax season. The full licensed and trained volunteer AARP staff give aide to taxpayers who earn low to average wages with special attention given those over 60.

  8. The IRS also collaborates with the military to provide 2010 tax service free to members of the military and their household. The Armed Forces Tax program is made up of tax program counselors for the Air Force, navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Army who are trained thoroughly and prepared to handle any detailed like combat zone benefits.

  9. The hours and locations vary by city and details can be found through local community centers and hot line information.

  10. You can find out about local Volunteer Tax Assistance locations from the IRS site or by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-906-9887. For the AARP Tax Aide Program closest to you, call 1-888-227-7669 or go to their website at AARP.org.

Earned Income Credit Missed by Many

Earned Income Credit Missed by Many

One of the best tax credits available today is the Earned Income Credit but many individuals don’t claim it even when they qualify. These individuals may not have qualified last year but their financial, marital, or dependent situation may have changed making them now qualified.

The tax credit maximum is $5,657 this year and depends on your income and how many dependent children you have in your household. Plus the credit is refundable, which means you can get a refund above the tax your into the treasury during the tax year. Make sure not … Read the rest

Earned Income Credit Missed by Many

One of the best tax credits available today is the Earned Income Credit but many individuals don’t claim it even when they qualify. These individuals may not have qualified last year but their financial, marital, or dependent situation may have changed making them now qualified.

The tax credit maximum is $5,657 this year and depends on your income and how many dependent children you have in your household. Plus the credit is refundable, which means you can get a refund above the tax your into the treasury during the tax year. Make sure not to file separately from your spouse as this will disqualify you automatically.

Having a valid social security number and earned income are two important first steps. And combat pay is considered earned income for qualify for the earned income tax credit. The easiest way to determine if you qualify is by using the EITC assistant at the IRS.gov website. Make sure to apply for this tax credit when you file your taxes if you determine that you are qualified.

Must I File a Tax Return?

Must I File a Tax Return for 2009?

The short answer to this question, do I have to file a tax return, is yes if your income is above the level required for your filing status. But a couple additional pieces of information affect the answer including your age and the source of your income. IRS.gov is a great resource for the exact tax rules.

In addition to the requirement, it makes sense to file a return to get a refund on any taxes that you did pay during the year. There is the special tax credit, Making Work … Read the rest

Must I File a Tax Return for 2009?

The short answer to this question, do I have to file a tax return, is yes if your income is above the level required for your filing status. But a couple additional pieces of information affect the answer including your age and the source of your income. IRS.gov is a great resource for the exact tax rules.

In addition to the requirement, it makes sense to file a return to get a refund on any taxes that you did pay during the year. There is the special tax credit, Making Work Pay, that is refundable to you even if you do not meet the income requirements to file. A government pension could provide you with a tax credit that will be refunded to you. The Earned Income Tax Credit will also refund money to you beyond what you have paid into the tax system. And there are a number of other tax credits that you might qualify for that you can receive a refund on without having earned enough to file.

Now, if you were self-employed during 2009 and earned over $400, you must file a return regardless of other factors. If you owe special taxes on retirement plans or medical savings accounts, you must file a return for 2009. If you work for tips and need to pay social security and Medicare tax, you need to file. If you need to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax or any recapture tax, you need to file a return. And finally, if you work for a church and your income is greater that $108.28.