April 17th Tax-Filing Deadline Looms

The Internal Revenue Service website is a good place to start if you need help in filing your 2011 tax return..

If you don’t plan on hiring a tax preparer, the IRS offers Free File for people with annual incomes of $57,000 or less.

At www.irs.gov, you can gain access to brand-name software that will guide you through the entire e-filing process.

“Go to the link, and once you click on the link, take a look and read about it,” said Raphael Tulino, an IRS spokesman. “Choose a software provider you like and link out of our site and link into the provider you choose and that guarantees you a federal income tax return for free.”

Regardless of income, all taxpayers are eligible to use Free File Fillable Forms, another option that is easily accessible on the IRS website.

“Fillable Forms is a little more advanced,” said Tulino. “It’s for somebody who knows their way around a 1040 form. It’s like doing a paper return on the computer, yet its also a free option.”

If you’re not comfortable working on-line or need to talk face-to-face with someone about your return, the IRS has set up tax assistance sites around the country, where you can get counseling from IRS-certified volunteers.

“AARP is the biggest partner we have. We partner with several coalitions and community-based partners to provide this free service,” said Tulino. “This is for taxpayers, moderate to lower income, about $50,000 or less. Simple returns.”

If you qualify for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA, go to www.irs.gov and use the keyword VITA to find your nearest location.