Free Tax Help Available at Sites Nationwide

WASHINGTON - More than 12,000 free tax preparation sites will be open nationwide this year as the Internal Revenue Service continues to expand its partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations performing vital tax preparation services for low-income and elderly taxpayers.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to people who earn less than $39,000. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offers free tax help to taxpayers who are 60 and older.

�These volunteers help low-income taxpayers meet their filing obligations and claim the Earned Income Tax Credit,� said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. �This is community volunteerism at its best.�

Today, many of these partners and local officials will be hosting news conferences or issuing news releases nationwide to highlight the Earned Income Tax Credit and their free tax preparation programs. The EITC is already the government's largest cash assistance program targeted to low-income Americans. However, not all eligible taxpayers may be aware or claim the credit.

Taxpayers need to bring to the VITA/TCE sites the following items:

Photo identification
Valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
Birth dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return
Current year�s tax package, if received
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
A copy of last year�s federal and state returns, if available
Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit
Other relevant information about income and expenses
Total paid for day care
Day care provider's identifying number

To file taxes electronically on a Married Filing Jointly tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Trained community volunteers can help eligible taxpayers with all special credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or Credit for the Elderly. They also can help people claim the $30 to $60 telephone tax refund being offered this year. Individuals with no tax filing requirement should use Form 1040EZ-T to request the one-time only telephone tax refund. Also, many sites have language specialists to assist people with limited English skills.

In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites use free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper � even faster if taxpayers have their refund deposited directly into their bank accounts.

As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program at nearly 8,000 sites nationwide during the filing season. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors help people of low-to-middle income with special attention to people age 60 and older. To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit AARP's Internet site.

The military also partners with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC) consists of the tax program coordinators for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The AFTC oversees the operation of the military tax programs worldwide, and serves as the main conduit for outreach by the IRS to military personnel and their families. Volunteers are trained and equipped to address military specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits and the effect of the EITC guidelines.

If taxpayers owe, they can make a payment April 17 by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from a checking or savings account, paying by credit (Discover Card�, American Express�, MasterCard� or VISA� Card), or by check or money order(made out to the United States Treasury) using Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher.