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FREE INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
The following is summarized from the websites of the American Association of Retired Persons: www.aarp.org/ , the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS): www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1462&q=289046 and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc101.html
People needing free help to complete their federal tax forms have a number of options available to them. They can seek assistance at an IRS office, call IRS toll free numbers for forms or questions, or bring forms to a volunteer at a site offering Connecticut Tax-Aide program or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services. All options are free to the taxpayer.
TAX ASSISTANCE BY TELEPHONE
- Anyone can call the IRS toll free phone line: (800-TAX-1040). The phone is answered by tax specialists and is open 24 hours, 7 days per week during the tax season. There is touch tone phone access for recorded tax information on over 100 topics.
- Refund status information can be obtained three weeks after a claim has been filed. The following information must be given to obtain refund status: filing status (joint, single), social security number and amount of refund in whole dollars.
- Tax assistance for people with hearing impairments and TTY equipment can be obtained by calling: 1-800-829-4059, 24 hours, 7 days per week. People without TTY equipment may be able to obtain access through federal or state relay services.
TAX ASSISTANCE AT IRS OFFICES
- The IRS offers in-person income tax filing assistance all year round at local field offices throughout Connecticut. The field offices are located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Haven, New London, Norwalk and Waterbury. IRS staff help taxpayers prepare basic federal tax return forms. Taxpayers must go to the office and wait for their turn. There are no phone calls and no appointments taken for tax assistance at IRS offices.
TAX ASSISTANCE AT DRS OFFICES
- The DRS offers in-person income tax filing assistance at five local field offices in Connecticut up until April 15. The field offices are located in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Norwich and Waterbury. DRS staff help taxpayers prepare Connecticut tax return forms. Taxpayers must go to the office by 4:00pm and wait for their turn. There are no phone calls and no appointments taken for tax assistance at DRS offices.
CONNECTICUT TAX-AIDE PROGRAM
VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA)
- Trained volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offer free tax filing assistance from January 14-April 15. (Dates and times vary by site) Anyone, regardless of age, can use a VITA site for assistance. VITA volunteers help taxpayers prepare basic tax return forms. The general guideline is a limit of $41,646 a year for household income. VITA sites are held at libraries, churches, senior centers and other community meeting places. For a list of VITA sites, contact the IRS or go to the 2-1-1 database: www.211ct.org/referweb/MatchList.aspx?n;;0;;N;253491;VITA%20(Volunteer;ExactPhrase
Note: Some sites are by appointment only; some are walk in only.
FOR A LIST OF ALL FREE TAX ASSISTANCE SITES:
Search by service name: Tax Preparation Assistance
FORMS TO BRING TO A TAX ASSISTANCE SITE
When visiting an IRS, Tax-Aide
or VITA site, bring the following:
- All W-2 forms for household
- 1099 Forms (if any)
- Social Security Card(s) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number(s) for all household members
- Last year's tax return (if you have one)
- Child care provider name, address and tax ID or Social Security number (if paying for childcare)
- Documentation of property tax payments (home, auto)
- Education expenses and student loan information
- For direct deposit of a check refund, a check or savings account number with routing number
- Any other tax-related documents you have received
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SOURCES: 2-1-1 database; AARP website; Conn. Dept. of Revenue Services website; Internal Revenue Service website;
INTERNET PAGE PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: February2009
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