Take the Stress Out of Filing Taxes
Looking for free help with your tax preparation? You’re in luck. These tax aide programs will help you prepare your documents and file your taxes.
Taxes can be tricky, but filing them should not come at a high cost to you. Keep in mind that all of the commercial tax filing companies, from H&R Block to TurboTax, have free file options. The only downside is that these companies use a multitude of tactics to get you pay upwards of $60 just to file your taxes. This year, be sure to search and access the free options on the company website before you start the process.
Below are free tax preparation services, both in-person and online, and more information to help you file your Federal and State taxes for free. Some of the in-person services may be closed or limited due to current restrictions.
Free Tax Help
AARP
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and remote tax assistance free of charge to anyone, with a special focus on taxpayers who are 50 or older or who have low to moderate income. Federal and State tax assistance is available at all locations.
There are multiple locations throughout the Portland metro. Find a location near you by searching on their site. You can also submit a request for help online.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
The VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
Assistance is provided at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
Due to COVID-19, a number of in-person sites are closed for an undetermined period of time. Enter your zip code to find out if there is a site near you.
CASH Oregon
This Oregon business provides low income families and individuals from every community and background in Oregon with tax aide. Their volunteers are trained and certified to prepare most individual tax returns and limited self-employment returns.
See the full list of free resources.
Free Online Tax Preparation Programs
If you meet the income criteria for the free resources above, chances are you can also find online tax preparation to e-file for free. The Oregon Department of Revenue generated a full list of approved vendors that offer online filing. The best part is these programs will give you added guidance throughout the filing process to make sure you’re on track.
Read about all the free online tax preparation programs to see if you are eligible. These options allow you to file both your Federal and State income taxes.
File Your Taxes for Free
If you do not meet the income criteria for the preparation and free filing tax programs above, you can still want to file for free. Yet, keep in mind you must know how to do your taxes yourself when choosing this option.
Here are the resources you’ll need:
For Oregon taxes, use these free fillable forms on the Oregon Department of Revenue website.
For Federal taxes, use these free fillable forms on the IRS website.
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