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Tax Tips to Make Tax Time Less Taxing
 
Tracey Cousineau
 
01/08/2008

Puzzled by the tax law or which credits and deductions to take?  Need assistance with your tax return?  The IRS offers free assistance by computer, telephone and in person. The IRS can help taxpayers get forms, publications and answer a wide range of tax questions.  As part of the IRS sponsored TCE Program, AARP also offers a Tax-Aide counseling program nationwide during the filing season.  Trained community volunteers offer free tax help to low to moderate income with special attention to those ages 60 and older. 

Through the internet, taxpayers can access a great deal of free tax information on IRS.gov.  A new feature for IRS.gov this year is 1040 Central, which has all the help, forms and information taxpayers need to file their returns.  Taxpayers can check out links such as forms and publications to download necessary forms, instructions or publications; get the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to get answers to questions; and review issues related to Small Business and Self-Employed.  Taxpayers may also check on the status of their refund using the Where's My Refund tool.  

Pine Tree Legal also offers free I-CAN online software if your total household income is less than $50,000 and you don't itemize your deductions.  As of April 10, 2007, taxpayers nationwide have received over $14,000,000 in federal tax refunds using this free I-CAN program at www.ptla.org/benefits/icanindex.htm.  The State of Maine also has a direct on-line "I-file" program for state income tax returns at http://www.maine.info/stategov.html.

If you don’t use a computer or merely prefer the old fashion method of filing your taxes,  local post offices, libraries and IRS offices have tax publications, forms and instructions available to pick up or you may order current and prior year forms, instructions and publications by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).  You may also ask the IRS tax questions by calling the toll-free customer service line at 1-800-829-1040 or 207-942-8573.  TTY/TDD users may call 1-800-829-4059 to ask tax questions or to order forms and publications.

The IRS office on 324 Harlow St. in Bangor offers free face-to-face assistance with issues such as IRS notices, payment plans, levies on wages or bank accounts, and tax law questions.  Free tax preparation is also available through the AARP Tax-Aid program. Tax-aid volunteers can help you with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or disabled.  I have listed a few local tax-aid sites and their perspective schedules below or you can call 1-888-227-7669 to locate other AARP Tax-Aide sites.

·     St. Peters parish Center, 2/6-4/15, Tues 9 am-10 am & Wed 6pm-7pm, call 746-3739  

·        Lincoln, Ballard Hill Community Center, 2/5-4/15, Mon 1pm-3pm, call 746-3739

·        Mattawamkeag Library, 3/1-4/15 (Feb for shut-ins only), Mon 1pm-3pm, call 794-9057  

·        Millinocket memorial Library, 2/1-4/15, Wed 1pm-5pm, Thur 10am-12pm, call 723-9988

In addition, some AARP sites offer free electronic filing (e-filing).  E-file program cuts traditional refund wait time in half – even faster if you have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.  This is not a "rapid refund."  Rapid refunds are really high-interest short-term loans.  Typically, they will speed up your refund by only a week or two faster than e-filing, depending on your situation.