Do you need help preparing your taxes? You’re not alone! Fortunately, there are several free resources available both online and locally in person to help you prepare and file your taxes.
Before you jump in, here are a few things the IRS wants you to know:
- The deadline to file tax returns for the 2023 tax year is Monday, April 15, 2024 for most people.
- Plan to file electronically with direct deposit. This is still the fastest and easiest way to file and receive a refund.
- Preparation is important! Gather all the correct information you need before filing your return to avoid refund delays.
Now that you have the basics, let’s get started looking at resources.
Free Tax Preparation Checklist
To get started, use My Free Taxes’ Tax Preparation Checklist. It’s a list of the most commonly-used documents you’ll need to successfully complete your taxes.
Free Online or In-Person Tax Preparation Services
The IRS has partnered with several local and national agencies to help people file their taxes correctly and on time. Use one of these resources to get the support you need.
My Free Taxes – Online or In Person Assistance
My Free Taxes is a safe, online program that provides free state and federal tax preparation and filing assistance. United Way partnered with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to help filers prepare their tax returns on their own or have their return prepared for them. With My Free Taxes, you can:
- File your own taxes online (it takes most users an hour or less)
- Have your taxes prepared for you online or in person
- Typically takes 1-2 weeks
- For filers who make about $60,000 or less
Free File – Online Help from the IRS
The IRS offers this free, online resource for completing federal individual tax returns:
- Guided online tax preparation
- For those with an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less
- Some state tax preparation and filing are free
- Fillable forms to file yourself
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- For those with an adjusted gross income greater than $79,000
- Know how to prepare your own tax return using form instructions and IRS publications
IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) – In-Person Assistance
The IRS’s VITA and TCE programs offer free tax help at locations in all 50 states to:
- People who generally make $60,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
Dane County Resources – In-Person Help
There are several organizations within Dane County that offer free tax preparation assistance. Check these out:
Your Library: A Valuable Resource
Check with your local library to see what other tax preparation resources are available in your community:
Most Taxpayers Receive Refunds within 21 Days
Most taxpayers receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically if they choose direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax return. Taxpayers should check the IRS’s Where's My Refund? tool or the IRS2Go app for their personalized refund status.
Don’t delay! Use these resources to get free help to file your taxes by Monday, April 15, 2024!