Free Tax Help in Houston
Are you looking for free tax help Houston? Or are you facing a tax concern or situation and need help knowing where to start? Based on your income bracket, there are many options for finding free tax help. The good news is that those in any income bracket do have resources for free tax help. Learn about the other resources available for obtaining free tax help in the Houston, Texas area as well as across the country such as the IRS free file tax program, free tax fillable forms, free tax software for filing your income tax return for free, and the benefits of a tax professional.
Neighborhood Tax Centers
One option for free tax help is via neighborhood tax centers which offer free tax advice and filings. If you are in the Houston, Texas area, then you can find out more about this option from your local facility on this website; https://www.bakerripley.org/services/baker-ripley-tax-center. It includes eligibility requirements and the type of help provided. Currently, it is available to families with an income of less than $58,000. It offers free federal tax return filings and amended returns, as well as ITIN applications and more.
The address and phone number for the central-local Houston neighborhood tax center are:
Baker Ripley Tax Center:
6500 Rookin, Suite C101
Houston, TX 77074
Telephone: 713-273-3755
IRS Free File
On a broader basis, the IRS also offers a service to file your income tax return for free via IRS Free File: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free. This service from the IRS provides a few options with free tax help, including;
- The use of free tax filing software for those with income less than $64,000, as of 2019;
- An opportunity to learn more about potential tax credits available based on adjusted gross income, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC);
- Free fillable tax forms, which is open to persons with any income amount as of 2019; and
- Means for filing free state tax returns, depending on the income earned for the year and the state.
Free File Software
If you have income below $66,000, as of 2019, then Free File by the IRS will provide you with free file tax software to complete and file your federal income tax return for free. Additionally, you may be able to file your state tax return for free as well. To determine your eligibility, you can use the Free File Software Lookup Tool that is available on this IRS.gov website; https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/wizard.jsp. Also visit the following resources: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/use-irs-free-file-to-file-taxes-for-free; https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.
This tool asks for your adjusted gross income, state of residency, and whether you are eligible for the earned income tax credit. If you do not know how to calculate your adjusted gross income or how to verify eligibility for earned income tax credit, then it is best to consult a tax professional. It is essential to report your responses to these types of tax questions correctly.
Free Fillable Tax Forms from the IRS Free File Program
While some of the Free File benefits are only available to those that have an income below a certain threshold, the IRS also offers free fillable tax forms for those that are above this threshold. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/use-irs-free-file-to-file-taxes-for-free. The forms are available at the following website; https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.
This option is recommended for persons that are comfortable completely and filing federal income tax returns without assistance. It provides an excellent free opportunity to file your tax return for free electronically. If you need help with back taxes Houston, or with other tax concerns, then contacting a tax professional is recommended.
Tax Software Programs that Offer Filing of Federal Tax Return for Free
There are many tax software programs available online that offer free federal tax filing, such as https://www.freetaxusa.com, https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/free-edition.jsp, https://www.taxslayer.com/products/taxslayer-free-tax-filing. While these are great options to obtain free tax help, they may not be the best option if you have a more complicated tax situation. Tax software programs may not be the best if you need help understanding the deductions and credits you are entitled to based on your specific circumstance.
Looking for a Tax Professional to Help You?
A tax professional can provide you with the guidance you need to navigate tax issues and assist you with better utilizing the free resources that you have available. Better yet, you can save money, time, and stress if you have someone experienced in the matter help guide you through the process. Going forward and with the right guidance, you will feel better equipped to handle your tax return filings using the free tax resources discussed in this blog.
It is a good idea to contact a Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) or Enrolled Agent (“EA”) that has positive and reliable reviews from a review system such as Google or Yelp. For more tips on how to look for a great tax professional, review the following advice provided by the IRS; https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/ten-tips-for-choosing-a-tax-preparer.
Conclusion and Key Points to Tax Away
There are resources for obtaining free tax help in Houston, Texas and across the country for persons in any income tax bracket. These include:
- Going to a nearby neighborhood tax help center;
- Using the resources provided by the IRS Free File system;
- Making use of free tax software;
- Utilizing free fillable tax forms to file your income tax return electronically for free;
- Obtaining help from a CPA or an EA after reviewing an article on how to choose a tax preparer.
By learning about the opportunities you have for obtaining free tax help, you can best prepare yourself for a successful and secure tax filing return season. If you need further guidance, contact a local Houston tax professional today to learn more about the services they provide.