The 2013 tax season is well underway! Have you filed your taxes yet? Don’t know where to start?
There are more options available this season than ever before!
IRS now offers a free tax preparation software available through their Free File System at IRS.gov. There are fourteen commercial tax software companies partnering with IRS that make their products available for free. Each of these companies set their own eligibility criteria. Some offer Free State tax returns, and some charge a fee. Generally, if your adjusted gross income is $58,000.00 or less there will be one or more options for you. IRS provides a list of free software offers: http://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/index.jsp?ck or you can take advantage of Find Free File Software Tool: http://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/wizard.jsp?ck
If you are not comfortable to fill tax forms on your own or have questions, you can take advantage of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, also administered by IRS. This assistance comes with an income limit of $50,000.00 or less. IRS-certified volunteers can assist you filling your return, answer questions and guide you through it as well as provide basic income tax return preparation. These volunteers will help you take advantage of special income tax credits for which you may qualify, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. You can find a site near you through an IRS site locator: http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
If you would like assistance, these sites are open currently in Norwich:
NORWICH HUMAN SERVICES (Appointment required)
80 BROADWAY
NORWICH, CT 06360
860-823-3748
CAPITAL GOOD FUND VITA (AT OTIS LIBRARY) VIRTUAL
261 MAIN ST
NORWICH, CT 06360
TVCCA/ CT WORKS (Appointment required)
113 SALEM TURNPIKE
SUITE 200
NORWICH, CT 06360
860-425-6626
Are you more of a Do It Yourself type?
If your income is over $58,000.00 you can take advantage of Free File Fillable Forms. This forms-based program allows taxpayers to choose the forms and schedules they need, e-file, sign a form electronically and print a copy for personal records. The forms are designed to be a simple electronic equivalent of paper forms that don’t ask about or explain tax situations. The forms do math and offer only basic guidance, you must know how to do your taxes yourself. State tax preparation in this case is not available.