However, there may be a small fee to file a Maryland tax return. There are income qualifications for free, in-person tax prep programs offered through MyFreeTaxes. The income guidelines are $57,000 per year but check with the individual provider. In-person tax preparation may be limited at the free sites due to COVID-19, but drop-off and virtual appointments are available throughout Maryland. There are free tax preparation organizations available to help individuals prepare their taxes. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is offering free tax assistance for those with household incomes of $58,000 or less. As part of the County’s Department of Health & Human Services Office of Community Affairs, the Community Action Agency is Montgomery County’s designated anti-poverty program.

This process includes being properly trained in tax law and passing a certification test applicable to the level of tax training you wish to complete. Training and testing can be done online, and you will need a minimum score of 80% to pass the exam. If you are interested in learning more about the specific steps to becoming a certified VITA tax volunteer, please visit theIRS page about VITA training. In tax year 2018, the VITA program served an estimated 2,200 individuals and families, helping those households receive $5.6 million in tax refunds, according to county officials. AARP offers free tax preparation for seniors who have low-to-moderate income. If you’re over age 50, you can schedule an in-person or virtual tax preparation appointment with a Tax-Aide volunteer. The CASH tax sites are open again, but tax returns will not be filled out while you wait.

Rockville’s Compost Crew Raises Millions Beyond Goal with Help From the Tower Companies

Now through the end of October, in-person tax appointments are available from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Community Action Agency office, which is located at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, in Rockville. Assistance with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number applications is available on Thursdays. Community Action Agency meets the needs of Montgomery County residents with low-to-moderate income. Services are provided through the VITA Program, Head Start , and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations. Volunteers are essential to the year-round operations of the Agency. The resources in the 211 database have the latest information for 2021, or you can call to be connected with a resource specialist who can help you find the best resource.

• The IRS-sponsored program is designed to help low and moderate income taxpayers, those with disabilities, seniors, and people with limited English proficiency file taxes and receive refunds.
• Contact the organization with specific questions and required documents.
• Most sites are free if you meet income requirements, but some may charge a small fee for state filing, depending on your income.
• The program also helps working families receive the full amount of their tax refunds and begin to create savings by taking advantage of tax credit opportunities.
• And with the average refund topping $2,800, some may prefer to get more money in their pay now.
• The educator expense deduction rules permit eligible educators to deduct up to $250 of qualifying expenses per year ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $250 each).

You can find a local site by calling or searching the database. Assistance is available to those who still have not received their stimulus check from the IRS. Volunteers and staff of United Way of Greater Lafayette will be wearing masks and regularly sanitizing their hands and work surfaces to keep you and other community members safe. Clients are required to wear a mask while they are in the VITA site. For more information about this, the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020 and other tax changes, visitIRS.gov. For additional information regarding the deduction for certain expenses of an eligible educator, see theInstructions for Form 1040 and Form 1040-SRor the Instructions for Form 1040-NR.

UPDATES ON VITA SERVICES

Bank interest statements, Form 1099, and a copy of last year’s state and federal returns, are requested as well. There are a variety of VITA tax volunteer roles available and free training opportunities for roles that require specialized skills. Anyone who helps review or prepare tax returns must be certified.

Find anAmerican Association of Retired Persons Tax-Aid site near you. This service is available to taxpayers over age 50 with low-to-moderate-income. Appointments are available to prepare federal and state as well as amended returns for 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Now through October 31, individuals can set up a virtual or in-person appointment at the Community Action Agency Office, located at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, in Rockville. Virtual appointments are held on Monday and Friday, with in-person appointments offered Tuesday through Thursday. You will sit with a volunteer who will review your paperwork to ensure everything is complete, ask clarifying questions, and scan everything needed to complete your return. Information fromProtecting Immigrant Familiesabout immigrant eligibility for public programs.

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Securely upload all required documents without leaving your home. If you are a victim of identity theft, you must bring the letter from the IRS with your PIN number.

Health Care Marketplace Navigators will be at each tax site to assist families with enrollment in the health insurance marketplace and to answer questions regarding tax credits and exemption status. The IRS-sponsored program is designed to help low and moderate income taxpayers, those with disabilities, seniors, and people with limited English proficiency file taxes and receive refunds. Rockville-based Montgomery County Community Action Agency and Bank On Gaithersburg have partnered to conduct the tax preparation services. https://turbo-tax.org/ The organizations said work will be completed by IRS-trained volunteers. The volunteers will also assist taxpayers in determining if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit . It is important for clients to be aware of the total amount they paid for day care, and have the day care provider’s tax ID number, Social Security number or employer identification number . A new requirement in 2015, those filing tax returns must bring proof of health insurance, for example Affordable Health Care Act Forms 1099 A, B, or C.

VITA offers free tax assistance for qualified individuals

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance will provide free tax preparation services at sites located all over Montgomery County this tax season. VITA schedules can be found at several websites including , , Entergy (/eitc), and the childrensbooksonwheels.org website. Payment will be sent by either mail or direct deposit to the bank account provided Montgomery County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Vita on the 2019 tax return. These payments will not be offset by other state debts that would normally cause a tax offset to a Maryland tax refund, with the exception of a child support judgment. However, economic impact payments are not protected from garnishment by creditors once the money is deposited into your bank account.

• These payments will not be offset by other state debts that would normally cause a tax offset to a Maryland tax refund, with the exception of a child support judgment.
• All banking account information (a voided check and/or savings deposit slip) to direct deposit your refund .
• If attendees receive a return and would like the amount to be deposited directly in their bank account, a blank check is handy to provide a proof of bank account and routing numbers.
• Through its outreach and partnerships, the agency works to ensure that VITA is accessible to working people eligible for the Earned-Income Tax Credit, as well as limited-English speaking taxpayers, seniors, and people with disabilities.
• If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace for 2021, through Medicare/Medicaid, or through your employer, you should receive a Form 1095-A, B, and/or C.

The Financial Stability Network assists residents of the District of Columbia and the surrounding Maryland counties of Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s. The programs of the Financial Stability Network are targeted to potential clients who have low to moderate income.

Have IRS-certified volunteers prepare your tax return REMOTELY and for FREE!

The earlier people check, the more time there is for withholding to take place evenly during the rest of the year. If you want to do your own taxes for free, the IRS also offers Free File which links you to partner sites for free federal tax filing. Most sites are free if you meet income requirements, but some may charge a small fee for state filing, depending on your income. Make sure you rely on trusted sources for free tax assistance, as there are scams during tax season. 211 Maryland will ensure you’re using a reputable provider.

Any document or information about money you have received from the IRS or state. The IRS will not allow VITA to prepare taxes without required documentation. Montgomery County residents only with household incomes of $56,000 or less. Yes, for example, some members of a family are only eligible for an ITIN but may have children who were born in the U.S. and are therefore eligible for a SSN. County Web Accessibility information including Alternative Format Requests for Disabled Users are provided on this page. VITA services will be located at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, Tuesday-Friday from 11am-5pm and Saturday from 11am-3pm. Over 499,000 individuals connected with 211 Maryland by phone, text or chat in FY 2021.