Super Saturday - Get Free Tax Help March 21!

[Misteriosa]

im pretty sure there are some of you who are familiar with the VITA program. this may be a little different. im just throwing the info out there for those of you who are not afraid to stand on line with the unwashed masses. i also find this a good idea should you get audited. you can just point the finger at them for messing up :happy:

From the IRS website:

In these difficult economic times, the Internal Revenue Service and hundreds of its community partners want to go the extra mile to assist taxpayers. On Saturday, March 21, 2009, approximately 250 IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers and hundreds of community free tax help sites nationwide will open their doors to assist people. People who earn $42,000 or less are eligible for free tax return preparation at either the IRS TACs or the community partner sites.

Super Saturday also is an opportunity for people, regardless of income, who may have a tax issue or who may be unable to pay their tax bill to visit an IRS TAC. The IRS can work with people to set up payment option plans that will prevent even greater penalties and interest. The IRS is committed to doing what it can to help financially distressed taxpayers who have played by the rules.

To find the location closest to you, click on the state in which you live to see a list of locations in various cities. Below the chart are the items you need to bring if you are having your tax return prepared.

NOTE: The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally $42,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns.

here is the link to the page. it has the states below. click your state and find the sites.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=204165,00.html

[Puggle_kicker]

Very cool. I have been slacking on taxes for a while.

[MacVittie]

Done and mailed. I always get a couple hundred back from the Fed, but a good chunk of that goes to Albany.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Done and mailed. I always get a couple hundred back from the Fed, but a good chunk of that goes to Albany.

I'm actually in reverse, usually. Owe Fed, but get some change back from Trenton.


I figured this is good for a lot of really low income people, but... if you're making over 35, you can't afford turbo tax?

[Misteriosa]

I'm actually in reverse, usually. Owe Fed, but get some change back from Trenton.


I figured this is good for a lot of really low income people, but... if you're making over 35, you can't afford turbo tax?

well i think the cap is 42k, but why not get your taxes done by professionals for free, and by the government no less. yeah you can afford it, but why waste money if you don't have to?

[Foster]

well i think the cap is 42k, but why not get your taxes done by professionals for free, and by the government no less. yeah you can afford it, but why waste money if you don't have to?

depends on how long of a wait you'll have to get them done,
the event is only one day, so it will properly be packed

[Misteriosa]

depends on how long of a wait you'll have to get them done,
the event is only one day, so it will properly be packed

thats why i mentioned the VITA program as well. they offer assistance from feb to april 14 for free. i got my taxes done by VITA last year.

[Tenbatsuzen]

well i think the cap is 42k, but why not get your taxes done by professionals for free, and by the government no less. yeah you can afford it, but why waste money if you don't have to?

Because I have a feeling they're going to just rush you out the door to see as many faces as possible, and that can lead to bad data entry, as well as a massive potential for identity theft. Granted, I don't know what the setup is going to be there, but as Foster noted, there are going to be a ton of people there, and it doesn't seem to be the type of place I'd want to bring stuff like SSNs, bank account, and payroll info.

Then again, I'm a cynic.

[Foster]

thats why i mentioned the VITA program as well. they offer assistance from feb to april 14 for free. i got my taxes done by VITA last year.

have my done by the Melissa Program every year, she not free though

[Misteriosa]

Because I have a feeling they're going to just rush you out the door to see as many faces as possible, and that can lead to bad data entry, as well as a massive potential for identity theft. Granted, I don't know what the setup is going to be there, but as Foster noted, there are going to be a ton of people there, and it doesn't seem to be the type of place I'd want to bring stuff like SSNs, bank account, and payroll info.

Then again, I'm a cynic.
i had a great experience with them. the person was very courteous and took all the time he needed in prepping my info. it was all done using e-file and the info was triple checked before it was submitted. its like when you go see an accountant. they provide you with you copy of what they sent right there. its the same risk you ran before you had the option of turbo tax. its not like there are a ton of people running around with your docs. its very very professional.
have my done by the Melissa Program every year, she not free though

ooooooh!!! :tongue: foster's putting moves on the tax wench!

[Foster]

ooooooh!!! :tongue: foster's putting moves on the tax wench!

yeah, I see her once a year for about 30 minutes, but she is slowly coming around to me

[Misteriosa]

yeah, I see her once a year for about 30 minutes, but she is slowly coming around to me

slow and steady, my friend... :thumbup:

[Foster]

slow and steady, my friend... :thumbup:

thats right!
I'm not going to let the fact that she's now married and 6 months pregnant deter me

[~Katja~]

I have used freetaxUSA.com for a few years now and had no problems other than that my ex claimed my kid and I had to paperfile it after it was rejected electronically.

I would use this service, it probably is ten times better than H&R Block

[SatCam]

well i think the cap is 42k, but why not get your taxes done by professionals for free, and by the government no less. yeah you can afford it, but why waste money if you don't have to?

I am going to have to disagree with this. I am not going to get into whether they are reliable or thorough or not. I am guessing they just work with what you give them (would be the same deal if you went into a for-pay tax prep place). But, the for-pay tax places like H&R Block DO offer a warranty on their services, the free IRS clinic does not.

My real beef is that it is really meant for people who don't know how to do their taxes. Obviously everyone should learn, but if you have a general idea I feel you should seek out an alternative way of filing. For example, you can file online for free with TurboTax, H&R Block, etc. if your income is below $56k. No filling out forms, just fill in the blanks and they do the rest. OR if you are above $56k, you can still do it for free by e-filing the forms you filled out manually (OK that is besides the point actually)

My point is if you have the means of doing it another way, you should. You are clogging up the system for people who genuinely need it. These things are run by volunteers. The volunteers are doing the taxes, not the government.

I dont mean to start an argument tho :banning: That is just how I feel