Free Tax Help in Philadelphia – 2013

Free Tax Help 2013 – Click here to download the AIDS Library’s printable pathfinder to free tax help in Philadelphia, updated for 2013.

WHERE TO GET FREE HELP FILING TAXES

Volunteer Income Tax Program – The IRS runs VITA to give free tax-filing assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. See flier attached to this email for a complete list of sites in Philadelphia

Remember:

• These sites are not VITA centers. They are places that host VITA volunteers.  Although some VITA sites for 2013 are walk-in only, call the phone numbers (on the flier) before going to any of these locations.  Availability and hours will vary.
• People must bring the following to VITA appointments:
  • proof of ID
  • Social Security card for you, your spouse and dependents; if not eligible for a Social Security then, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents
  • birth dates of all family members
  • all wage and earning statements from employers (W-2, 1099)
  • a copy of last year’s returns if available
  • bank routing numbers and account number for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check
  • total paid for day care provider and the day care provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number)
  • any other tax information received in the mail

  ***To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

To find VITA sites beyond Philadelphia, search here, or call the free hotline: 1-800-906-9887.

Honickman Learning Center – A program of Project H.O.M.E.  For more info about free tax-filing or to schedule an appointment, call 215-235-2900.

The Campaign for Working Families – The CWF website includes a chart of who is eligible for their services. Their website includes a map of their 11 Philadelphia tax prep sites.  Anyone hoping to use this service should call the number of the location (listed at that website) to make an appointment.

American Association of Retired Persons – Folks of low-to-middle income who are 60 or older can get free services through AARP, as part of the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. To locate the nearest site, call 1-888-227-7669, or search for a site online.

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DOING TAXES YOURSELF

The Benefit Bank’s Self-Serve Edition – A free online tax service for anyone who has an Adjusted Gross Income of $60,000 or less, designed to be a self-serve program.

MyFreeTaxes.com – Despite a name that makes it sound like a commercial scam, this is a collaboration of Campaign for Working Families, United Way, and Wal-Mart, to provide free online tax software, as well as additional tax tips.

Paper Tax Forms – all tax forms are available free to download from the IRS’s website.  Here are webpages with:

• The IRS’s Federal forms
• The PA Revenue Department’s State forms
• The Federation of Tax Administrators’ Map for finding forms from other states
•  The Philadelphia Department of Revenue’s City forms

Order Tax Forms by Phone – You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 to order forms by US mail. Individuals can order up to 10 forms (or other IRS publications).

Disability and Non-English Speakers – The Philadelphia Revenue Department also offers large print bills, Braille bills, audio cassettes and foreign language telephone interpreter services for folks doing taxes.  To request these, call 215-686-6600.

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MORE TAX INFORMATION

Earned Income Tax Credit – An IRS.gov webpage about EITC, which helps people who work but make low salaries reduce their tax payment or get a refund. Also see EITC and Disability webpage.

Taxpayer Rights – An IRS.gov webpage about rights regarding taxes, including various publications and factsheets.  A few highlights of the page that may be of use to our clients (or us):

• Collection Procedures FAQ
• Refund FAQ
• Name Change FAQ

Identity Theft – The IRS also offers an Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 for anyone who believes:

• That their tax records are currently affected by identity theft and that they have not been able to resolve the matter
• They may be at risk of identity theft due to a lost/stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report

IRS.gov also has a webpage with additional information regarding Identity Theft and Your Tax Records.

Plain Talk Tax Guide – a 13-page guide from the Philadelphia Revenue Department.  This page also has videos that offer tax assistance, though they focus mostly on business taxes.