How to get free help filing your federal income tax forms online and in Sacramento
Have questions for the IRS about your returns? Don’t expect to get fast answers from the agency.
But there is a convenient, far-reaching network of qualified people ready to help, and they shouldn’t be difficult to reach.
First piece of advice though: It’s probably best not to seek help by calling IRS. If you do, be very patient.
“We expect our phone lines to be jammed up for the foreseeable future,” IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig told reporters recently.
The agency does plan walk-in hours Saturday in Sacramento, and nationally it’s hiring new staffers, but it’s dealing with not only a backlog of 2020 returns but often complicated new wrinkles to 2021 taxes.
More advice from the pros: The most convenient way to file taxes efficiently is to use a qualified tax preparer. If you can’t afford one, free filing services are available.
The Bee has compiled a list of such services, and ways to get help. Among them:
IRS Free File service
IRS Free File allows people with adjusted gross incomes of $73,000 or less to get what the agency calls guided online tax preparation at no charge.
Using Free File allows taxpayers to get help from a tax preparation company that’s a member of the Free File Alliance that partners with the IRS.
To use this service, don’t immediately go to a company’s website to sign up.
Go to irs.gov and visit its free file page. Once you’re comfortable with the program, click on “Choose an IRS Free File Offer.”
A page will appear and guide you through the process.
Clicking “Browse All” will show you a list of providers. Clicking “Start Lookup Tool” will help you find a specific provider.
IRS in person
The IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, in Sacramento at 4330 Watt Ave., is set to open for in-person service this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you have a question about a tax bill, IRS audit or need help resolving a tax problem — you could walk away with specialized help from an IRS employee.
The following services, excluding cash payments, will be offered:
- Child tax credit information and help
- Online account assistance
- Individual taxpayer identification renewal
- IRS identify theft victim assistance
- Payments (check or money order only, cash will not be accepted).
- Refunds
- Tax law questions
- Transcripts and forms
The Sacramento Taxpayer Assistance Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for in-person appointments only.
What to bring to the IRS
Come prepared and bring the following documents:
- A current government-issued photo I.D.
- A social security card or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for members of your household, including your spouse and dependents.
- Any IRS letters or notices received and requested documents.
During your visit, an IRS staff member may also request:
- A current mailing address
- An email address
- Bank account information
Masks are required and social distancing will be enforced.
The IRS staff will schedule appointments for a later date for deaf or hard of hearing individuals who need sign language interpreter services.
Free tax prep help
If you make $58,000 a year or less and need help preparing a tax return, go to the nearest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly or call 800-906-9887.
Just be sure to gather the required documents before visiting.
Here’s what the IRS certified volunteers will help you prepare:
- Wages and salaries
- Interest income
- Dividends received
- State tax refunds
- Unemployment benefits
- Gambling winnings
- Child tax credit
Here’s what will not be prepared:
- Returns with casualty or disaster losses
- Applications for individual taxpayer identification number
- Capital gains and losses
- Requests for social security numbers
For more information on what will and will not be prepared by IRS certified volunteers, visit the free tax preparation form.
Getting help elsewhere
In the Sacramento area, households with incomes of less than $65,000 last year can participate in the United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program this year.
People interested in the program should go to the YourFreeTaxPrep.org website to get virtually connected to certified volunteers or to prepare their own return for free.
Another source of help: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, which provides in-person and virtual tax preparation help to anyone nationwide for free, with a focus on helping taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income.
As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Tax-Aide services are currently by appointment only. Volunteers are IRS-certified every tax season.
This year, Tax-Aide will offer several tax preparation options, including in-person, online, or low contact sessions, which allow taxpayers to drop off their papers (or have them scanned) and returned to review.
The program also offers taxpayers free access to software so they can prepare their own taxes, and if needed they can request help from a Tax-Aide volunteer to coach them through the process with computer screen-sharing.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 1:47 PM.
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