Find Free Tax Preparation as the April 17 Deadline Approaches

Have you filed yet? As I write this, there is about one month left until the 2012 income tax filing deadline, which is April 17 this year. Given that, I thought I'd throw out a reminder that if you have not filed yet, you can learn about what help is out there for free. In fact, even if you make a lot, you can still file a federal income tax return for free using our 'Fillable Forms' Free-File feature at IRS.gov. That said, I'll start there, with some available free options.

1) IRS Fillable Forms: Here's the deal with this feature — there is no income limit to use it, but you want to use it if you are comfortable:

• Filling out federal tax forms with little assistance 
• Using IRS instructions and publications for getting answers to your tax questions

This is only for a federal return (does not support state returns) so do be aware that you'll have to check out how to go about filing your state return. Also, note from the free-file URL, "state preparation and state e-file is not available. Does not support the efiling of returns with foreign addresses. Free File Fillable Forms is not for use by paid preparers." You can find the Free File on our website.

2) IRS Free File ($57,000 income limit): The IRS Free File program is basically an agreement between the IRS and several software providers that allows you for file a federal income tax return for free. The key in order to qualify is having income (Adjusted Gross Income or AGI) of $57,000 or below. You also must use IRS.gov as a portal, so to speak, to guarantee a free return. In other words, link into IRS.gov, read about things, choose your software provider and then link out of our site and into theirs to file your free federal return. You can find that link here.

3) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance: The VITA program has thousands of sites up and running through April 17. Copied in from the IRS website, "The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing."

Want to find a site near you? Call 211 or click here to find one. You can also call 1-800-906-9887 to find a site near you.

4) California Franchise Tax Board's Cal-File: The California Franchise Tax Board offers something called Cal-File. Many taxpayers qualify to use it to file a CA state return for free. You can find out if this is a good fit for you on our website.

5) IRS Publication 910: Finally, check out the IRS Guide to Free Services. Many more options to consider such as seminars and webinars and EFTPS, or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. You can read Publication 910 online.