6 Fantastic Ways to File Taxes For Free

Filing taxes can be a burden for many taxpayers. Unfortunately, everyone has to file taxes even if you are unemployed or haven’t earned any income. If you don’t have accurate records it can be a nightmare.

The best way to file your taxes is to stay organized. File all receipts, paperwork or possible paperwork related to personal and business expenses and tax deductions, categorize them into separate folders, and keep handy.

The main expenses to keep track of are: all business income and spending, home office expenses, retirement contributions, student loan interest, energy efficient upgrades, real estate purchases or sales, charitable donations, contributions to college savings plan, and capital gains.

There are several options for filing taxes and some taxpayers are eligible to file their taxes for free. Here are 6 ways to file your taxes for free.

Free Software

If your adjusted gross income is $66,000 or less you can use free tax software such as: Turbo Tax, Free TaxAct, Tax Slayer or H&R Block’s Free File.

Use Free Forms

Anyone can use free file fillable forms from freefilefillableforms.com. The site provides online versions of paper federal tax forms.

Use Free Services

Find free tax clinics in you earn less than $62,000 per year www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or contact AARP if you 50 or older http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action.

File Electronically

Efile (electronically) your tax return for free by using direct deposit or pay your taxes online for free by using irs.gov.

Paper forms

Use paper tax forms to file your taxes and mail them to the IRS. If you filed last year’s taxes with paper forms the IRS will mail you forms this year. The only cost is postage. To order paper tax forms call 800-829-3676 Monday through Friday 7 am - 7 pm.

USE TAX CLINICS

You can get your taxes prepared for free using the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Call 1-800-906-9887 to get more information.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offers tax help for people 60 years old or older at 1-888-227-7669.

Visit an IRS volunteer at a self-assistance service site to get free tax preparation. Visit the IRS website irs.gov to find a facilitated self-assistance site.

Here's How to File Your Taxes for Free

  

 

Filing taxes can be a burden for many taxpayers. Unfortunately, everyone has to file taxes even if you are unemployed or haven’t earned any income. If you don’t have accurate records it can be a nightmare. The best way to file your taxes is to stay organized. 

File all receipts, paperwork or possible paperwork related to personal and business expenses and tax deductions, categorize them into separate folders, and keep handy. The main expenses to keep track of are: all business income and spending, home office expenses, retirement contributions, student loan interest, energy efficient upgrades, real estate purchases or sales, charitable donations, contributions to college savings plan, and capital gains. 

There are several options for filing taxes and some taxpayers are eligible to file their taxes for free. Here are 5 ways to file your taxes for free.

• Free Software. If your adjusted gross income is $62,000 or less you can use free tax software such as: Turbo Tax, Free TaxAct, Tax Slayer or H&R Block’s Free File.
• Use Free Forms. Anyone can use free file fillable forms from freefilefillableforms.com. The site provides online versions of paper federal tax forms.
• Use Free Services. Find free tax clinics in you earn less than $62,000 per year www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or contact AARP if you 50 or older http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action.
• File Electronically. Efile (electronically) your tax return for free by using direct deposit or pay your taxes online for free by using www.irs.gov.
• Paper forms. Use paper tax forms to file your taxes and mail them to the IRS. If you filed last year’s taxes with paper forms the IRS will mail you forms this year. The only cost is postage. To order paper tax forms call 800-829-3676 Monday through Friday 7 am - 7 pm.

You can get your taxes prepared for free using the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs that. VITA prepares taxes for people who make $54,000 or less. Call 1-800-906-9887 to get more information.

TCE offers tax help for people 60 years old or older at 1-888-227-7669. You can also visit an IRS volunteer at a self-assistance service site to get free tax preparation. Visit the IRS website to find a facilitated self-assistance site.

Organization is Crucial to Filing Your Taxes

Every year Americans have to file their taxes.  Many dread filing their taxes because it can be a tedious and time-consuming process.  There are tons of tools available to help prepare your taxes and determine if you will get a refund or owe money.  You can file your taxes on your own and hire a CPA to file your taxes.

One of the reasons many Americans end up owing taxes or miss out on claiming deduction is because their they are not organized.  Many taxpayers throw away, misplace, destroy or damage receipts or even falsify documents because the original documents cannot be found. 

Don't wait until the last minute, this year start early and gather all of your receipts and financial paperwork.  You can use an automated tool to track your spending and deductions; use a piece of paper, or word processing software such as Excel or Access.  Getting organized will help you to see right away what deductions you are eligible to receive.  Organizing your paperwork makes it easier to file your taxes because all your informations easily accessible.

Using a tax preparation tool has all the tax laws imbedded in the tool which makes it easier for you to see what deductions and credits you are eligible to claim.  Here are 8 smart ways to help you organize before filing your taxes.

1. Duplicate. You can ask for duplicate receipts or financial statements if you have misplaced your copy.
2. Gather. Gather all receipts, monthly, quarterly and yearly statements, medical bills, student loans, credit card statements, prescriptions, financial statements, etc. and place in one easy to find location.
3. Categorize. Categorize all receipts such as medical, loans, financial statements, purchases, business expenses, debt, charitable donations, income, etc.
4. Deductions. Identify all items that can be used as itemized deductions and put them in one folder. Determine if the standard deduction for your tax bracket is greater than your itemized deductions. If not, calculate your itemized deductions.
5. Automation. Use a tax software package like Quicken, Turbo Tax or Tax Cuts.
6. Go Green. To save money file your taxes electronically. You will receive your refund in approximately two weeks from the date of filing and this will you help save the environment. 
7. Free Filing. If you salary is less than $58,000 or less you can file your taxes electronically for free.
8. Companies. If you use a chain tax preparation company you can bring all of your receipts and they will enter the data for you to prepare your taxes.