05 Feb IRS Offers Help for Filing Your Taxes
When it comes time to file your 1040s, everyone gets a little anxious. We get it. Not everyone in Tampa is an accountant.
We want you to know that help is available. Of course, we have tax specialists at our Tampa CPA firm who would be happy to assist you, but we understand that not everyone in Tampa needs a CPA to prepare their 1040 tax return.
So, where can you go for help?
The IRS Offers Free Filing Tools
The IRS cares about U.S. taxpayers. Really. And if they had the time, they would be happy to talk to you, but budget cuts have left the service understaffed, under-resourced and, for the most part, overwhelmed.
But they’re trying.
For example, the IRS now offers Free File, which allows you to do your taxes for free online. There are two free options, depending on your income:
- Guided Tax Preparation provides free online tax preparation and filing through one of the partnerships the IRS has created. Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $73,000 or less qualify to use this method to complete and file their 1040 tax return.
- Free File Fillable Forms Is a free option for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is greater than $73,000. If you are going to use this option, you really need to know how to prepare your own 1040 tax return without the help of any handy software to guide you. You’ll have to rely on the IRS’s form instructions and publications.
Filing your 1040 tax return electronically is more important than ever – especially if you are expecting a refund. Filing online is safe and secure and you will find all of the federal tax forms you need, equivalent to a paper 1040 form.
If you’re filing a 1040 EZ, you probably don’t need the assistance of one of our Tampa tax specialists. But if you do need help or just don’t want to go it alone, you’ll find the assistance you need at Walter S. Sanders & Associates, a small CPA firm in Tampa that offers personalized service. Contact us to take the first step.