365 Things To Do In the Georgetown (Texas) Area

53. Free Tax Help!

  OK, it is time for me to get serious about tax preparation.  I am not one who usually gets a refund.  I have always considered a sizable refund to be a signal of poor planning.  Why would I want to give the government an interest-free loan of my hard-earned money?  So, consequently, I usually owe some to the government and put off filing until a few weeks before the deadline. 

This year the filing deadline has been pushed out to April 18th because the 15th is a holiday in Washington.  If you have questions about how to file, what forms to use, how to e-file and more, you can get free help at the Georgetown Public Library.  Trained library volunteers will be available to help anyone who needs help on a first come, first served basis.  Some of the IRS forms are available at the library in paper form and some tax forms are not yet available from the IRS.  All tax forms are available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.     

Even a simple tax return is often time-consuming and confusing.  Volunteers are available at the library in the Texas History Room on Tuesdays (5:30-7:30 p.m.), Wednesdays (12-4 p.m.), Thursdays (5:30-7:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-2 p.m.).  They can help prepare and e-file your tax return at the library.  If you prefer to file a paper tax return for mailing, they can also assist but e-filing is preferred.  

According to the IRS, 70% of all individual taxpayers used e-filing to electronically transmit their tax returns to the IRS in 2010.  It is free to e-file is you use the IRS site.  Simple returns may be filed for free at commercial online sites for TurboTax and TaxAct.  These sites can be used for more complicated returns for a fee or you can purchase the software DVD at lots of retail locations.  E-filing requires that you have an email account so the IRS can send a confirmation notice that your filing has been accepted or you could use the account of a friend.  The library has computers that may be used to check email.

Thank goodness Texans don't have a state tax return too.  I'm ready for a more simplified tax code.  But until then, there's help at the library!  

Location:  Georgetown Public Library
               Texas History Room
               402 W. Eighth St.
               Georgetown, TX 78626
               512-930-3551

Published Monday, February 21, 2011 3:16 PM by Sun City Realty