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PHI Michigan

Free Tax Preparation Resources

It’s not too early to start thinking about getting your taxes done! Why pay someone to prepare your taxes?

Avoid the trap:  Over 70 percent of people eligible for  EITC use a paid tax preparer to help them with their taxes.  The average cost taxes done at one of these places is between $85 and $150 for e-filing.  Also these places offer refund anticipation loans (also called, “rapid refund”) as a way to get people their money back faster.  Though people get their money back faster, it comes at a high cost!  Interest for these loans can be over  180% and they also charge  and additional fee of $80 just to process the loan.

Don’t fall for this.  You have options.  By waiting a little while and planning your holiday expenses, you can save money at tax time!

There are two free ways to keep more of your money at tax time.

  1. You can go to a free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.
  2. You can use free I-CAN! E-file web-based tax preparation software.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are locations in your community where families with income less than $50,000 can get their taxes done for free — from mid-January through April 15.

Professional. VITA sites are staffed by IRS-certified volunteers, who are ready to help you prepare your tax return and get you all the money due to you.

Fast. Your refund  can be mailed to you or deposited directly into your bank account, usually within 10-14 days. Some sites even have banks on-site or are in a credit union and can help people open up a bank account that same day.

Find a VITA site near you. Some locations take appointments and others are walk-in only. Stating in mid-January, you can find a VITA site in your community by calling the number below for your county.

What to bring. When you go to a VITA site, you need to bring the following information to make your tax preparation process go smoothly:

[  ] Proof of identification (driver’s license, state identification card, etc.)

[  ] Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

[  ] Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents to be listed on the tax return

[  ] If you are married and filing a joint tax return, to file taxes electronically both spouses must be present at the appointment to sign the required forms.

[  ] Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers in 2008

[  ] 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 of your tax refund. These numbers can be found on your checks.

[  ] Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)

[  ] Rent receipts with name, address, and zip code of landlord, or proof of taxable value of home and amount of property taxes paid in 2008 if you own your home.

I-CAN! E-FILE

I-CAN! E-FILE is a free tax preparation website where you can do your taxes yourself. You can complete your federal and state taxes and get the EITC and other federal or state tax credits or deductions you are eligible for.

The I-CAN! E-FILE website is safe and user friendly. No one will ever be asked to submit their credit card information for payment in completing their taxes. If you get stuck, on-line assistance is available.

Direct-deposit of state and federal refunds is also available at I-CAN! E-FILE. 

For more information, contact Tameshia Bridges, Senior Workforce Advocate at tbridges@phinational.org or 517.372.8310.