File your taxes for free with MyFreeTaxesDE

February 16, 2016

By Allison Russell, $tand By Me Financial Coach
Allison is a $tand By Me Coach housed out of the Food Bank of Delaware.

The State of Delaware, along with United Way of Delaware and $tand By Me, has partnered with the Delaware MyFreeTaxes Coalition to offer FREE income tax preparation for federal and state income taxes. Those who earned less than $62,000 in 2015 can file their taxes at MyFreeTaxesDE.com through April 16, 2016. The process is simple, and uses a secure, fill-in-the-blanks software program to populate the return.

The program, which utilizes H&R Block software, offers many tips to assist those filing a return online. There’s a section on getting organized, which provides a checklist of various documents, forms and information that may be needed to complete the return. There is a also a section that informs the taxpayer on credits and deductions they may be able to take advantage of depending on their demographic, for example families with children, students, homeowners, etc.

Some key items to note in using MyFreeTaxes.com:

• Start your return from the “File for Free” button to avoid being taken into the H&R Block website where charges may be applied for filing your return.
• When creating an account, make note of your User Name, Password and Security Questions and Answers to insure access to your account at a future time.
• If you created an account last year using H&R Block software and you were charged a fee, you should create a new account to avoid being charged a fee this year.
• When creating an account, logging in and selecting security questions, uncheck the “Remember Me” or “Remember This Computer” box when using a public computer for added security.

If questions arise when completing the return, “Learn More” links and “Help Center” buttons are located throughout the software for each form being completed. In addition, help is available either through the toll-free hotline at 1-855-MY-TAX-HELP (1-855-698-9435), email, or live chat. The website also includes a search by zip code for IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs for face-to-face free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. See below for a list of tax sites, and individuals can also call 2-1-1 for available locations and hours.

Please share this information with your friends, families and neighbors so as many people as possible can take advantage of this free service.

If you would like information or help with other financial topics please make an appointment to meet with me! I can be reached at (302) 292-1305 ext. 206 or arussell@fbd.org.

IRS tax deadline is April 15, 2016. It is important that the following is brought for assistance:

•  All 2015 tax documents
• 2014 Federal and State tax returns
• Social Security card and a current photo ID
• Your spouse (if filing joint)
• A check (if you want direct deposit of your refund)
• W-2s, 1099s, & dependent documents
• A list of other expenses, deductions and childcare information