Paying taxes is a stressful experience—with all those forms, procedures and rules. Here are some sources of help that can make income tax time less anxious.
Ohio Earned Income Tax Coalition (EITC)
The Ohio Earned Income Tax Coalition and its members throughout the state offer assistance with tax returns. To find an EITC Coalition in your area, call the Ohio Benefits Bank at (800) 648-1176.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Tax-Aide
Established in 1968 to provide income tax assistance to older individuals, AARP Tax-Aide also offers personal assistance to low- and middle-income persons in order to complete their tax returns. There are more than 200 sites located in Ohio. To find the site closest to you, please visit the AARP web site at: www.aarp.org or call the AARP Ohio Office at (866) 389-5653.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
This program helps people with low-to-moderate incomes prepare their own income tax returns. For more information, or to locate the nearest volunteer, go to VITA or call (800) 829-1040 toll-free.
Internal Revenue Service (E-FILE assistance)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers Free File, a “free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing program for eligible taxpayers, developed through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies.” For more information about online help, tax software, or any other tax issues, visit the IRS’s Web site at E-File.
Assistance for Military Personnel
The Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC) coordinates the military-based VITA Program. These sites provide “free tax advice, tax preparation, return filing and other tax assistance to military members and their families.” Volunteers address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits and the effect of the EITC guidelines. To locate assistance, contact the legal assistance office at the closest military base or visit the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance Web site at www.legalassistance.law.af.mil