With the April 18th deadline to submit tax returns on the horizon, Americans are preparing once again for the tax preparation ritual - oftentimes with anxiety and confusion. Fortunately, MontanaFreeFile.org is available to help consumers navigate the process and determine which tax filing option is best for them.
MontanaFreeFile.org is the one-stop online resource for the best of free tax preparation services. Visitors can determine which service is right for them based on their location, age, and income. Within minutes, taxpayers can be on their way to filing their return - safely, easily, and for free.
Among the options found on the MontanaFreeFile website is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, a free tax filing service available to individuals with a household income below $49,000 per year. Trained volunteers complete basic tax returns for eligible individuals at VITA sites across the state. A complete list of VITA sites in Montana can be found at MontanaFreeFile.org.
For those who would like to prepare their tax return themselves, MontanaFreeFile.org links to two great online tax preparation sites, I-CAN E-File and IRS Free File. Both of these tools provide taxpayers with free access to tax filing software that makes completing a return simple and quick.
It is important for Montanans - especially working Montana families on tight budgets - to receive the best tax-filing help available. Tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Making Work Pay, and the Child Tax Credit can provide tremendous assistance to these households, but every year many eligible individuals overlook them. With the resources available at MontanaFreeFile.org, Montanans can be sure that they are receiving the best help possible.
Taxpayers should also be aware of the high costs of Tax Refund Loans provided by some tax preparers. In effect, taking out a loan on your tax refund means paying interest and service fees to borrow your own money. With any of the tax preparation services found on MontanaFreeFile.org, they can have their full refund in as little as 8 days.
MontanaFreeFile.org was formed in 2005 out of a collaborative effort and has expanded to include both government and non-profit organizations: Montana Credit Unions for Community Development (MCUCD), Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA), Montana Department of Revenue, Rural Dynamics Inc., AARP Tax-Aide Montana, and Opportunity Link, Inc. MontanaFreeFile.org continues to exist to help Montana consumers keep more of what they earn.
MontanaFreeFile.org