Posted by: Ready or not, it's that time again. Yep, it's income tax filing season. So, gather up your documents to file before Monday, April 15, of this year. You do not want to wait till the last minute.
The good news is that United Way of Palm Beach County and the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is under way for 2024. And it offers free income tax preparation throughout Palm Beach County to those with a 2023 household income of $75,000 or less.
There are two options:
- File yourself and get help as you need it.
- Have someone else file your tax forms for you.
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
There are 14 VITA locations countywide. To find an in-person site near you, visit taxesfiledfree.org. Or, call 2-1-1, the state's consumer helpline. If you choose to file yourself, support is available via toll-free helpline or web chat.
View myfreetaxes.com for a side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
If you opt for face-to-face preparation, here's a list of what to take with you:
- Last year’s Federal Income Tax Return 1040 (2022 income tax returns).
- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse (if married), and all dependents.
- Correct birth dates for all names that appear on the return.
- All W-2’s for 2023, including for the spouse (if joint).
- Forms 1098: Mortgage interest, property taxes.
- Forms 1099: DIV, G, INT, MISC, Q, R, RRB, SSA for 2023.
- A voided check or routing and savings account numbers for direct deposit of your refund (This is optional, but it helps get your cash to you fast).
- A Photo ID card (driver’s license, etc.), including spouse’s, if married and filing joint returns.
- For Dependent Care Credit, take care provider’s name, address, SSN/EIN, and amount you paid.
- For Education Credit, take 1098-T or 1098-E and amount paid for qualified expenses
- For Premium Tax Credit, take 1095-A (Health Marketplace Statement).
Note: If you are married and filing a joint return, both spouses must go to the VITA site. Keep in mind, this free service is staffed by volunteers and is only for households that primarily claim standard deductions, nothing complicated or too complex, etc.
For more details and answers to FAQs, visit Taxes Filed Free via unitedwaypbc.org.
Note: If you prefer not to use VITA and would rather use free online software, visit the IRS.gov's site to find an approved provider to e-file.
NOTE: Seniors can also get free tax help either in person or online from the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Service.
To locate an IRS free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site near you, use this online tool.
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