Is it "safe" to get your taxes done for free by one of these local community org

1. 70

   Valeneposted 11 years ago

   Is it "safe" to get your taxes done for free by one of these local community organizations?
   
   I need to save money on getting taxes done this year and I am considering going to a local non-profit in my community that provides tax services to low and middle income people. Do you think these types of places can do just as good a job as a CPA? I have a very simple return for the most part.

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2. 63

   Sapperposted 11 years ago

   If it's a simple return (no deductions) you can do it for free online. I would put my trust in online software before volunteers most of the time.
   
   I haven't paid to have my taxes done since I was 18, but to be fair the last 2 years I've done them through TurboTax for free since my wife is military.

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      Valeneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks! Would you say if I'm getting the standard deduction and not itemizing, there's little room for error with the online stuff like TurboTax? Even though my return is pretty simple, I've always used a CPA and been paranoid about doing it myself.

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   2. 63

      Sapperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is the place we used to use: https://www.internet-taxprep.com/
      It's pretty simple to follow, and even if you have deductions, it's only $10, but it's free otherwise.

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   3. 70

      Valeneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Is there a reason you stopped using it and went to TurboTax instead? I have a 401K, student loan, paid off a car loan this year and I have to pay a "city tax" for living inside the limits of Kansas City, MO. Does that still count as "simple"?

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   4. 63

      Sapperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The one and only reason we changed was because we started having deductions, they charge $10 for deductions, and TurboTax was free for the military version.
      To get money back for the 401k and student loan, you will have to file deductions.

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3. 41

   mosesadewoposted 11 years ago

   ene it is safe to get your taxes done by IRS e-file system for free. No doubt, there are good local community organizations out there that are thorough good tax-preparers, otherwise, they probably won't be in business for long. if they don't deliver good service. Understandably, money is the issue, however, what you gain on the round about, you may lose at the corner. My piece of advice is to look for an expert in the trade t do your tax for you and have a piece of mind afterwards instead of taking a chance with someone who may be incompetent in filing a tax return.
   Valene proposes to hire a non-profit organization to file her file return, but wonders if they do as good a job as a CPA. This writer's reaction to Valene's request is to wonder whether, or not, has a personal experience with a competent tax preparer where she lives.. A negative response would require her to engage in leg work to inquire about such a tax preparer in her neighborhood, if she does not want to go far afield.
   The rule of the thumb is to not pay for tax preparation if you can get it done for you for you for free. You have to due your own due diligence to ascertain if the IRS has free tax filers. My finding is that it does, but you may not have one close enough to where you live. The trade-off between accuracy and proximity will be something for Valene to decide, but she does have the choice.
   However, you have to call to confirm, whether, or not there are eligibility criteria to meet to qualify. If you do, then, you do not have to worry about the risk posed by using independent tax preparers who may promise to help you get your refund quicker, but stick you with exorbitant fee later for doing so. Why take a chance of being defrauded ? Of course, every tax-filing enterpreneur does not do that, but why take a chance, unless you can vouchsafe the transparency of your tax preparer.
   Allowing the IRS to file your tax return for you minimizes the possibility of errors, considerably, almost to zero incidence. Besides, you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with receiving a quick refund, if there is one due you, and although you may wait a few days, or weeks before you receive your refund, the fee, if there is one at all, will be way cheaper than the charge by the  CPA.
   However, if you are in a difficult tax situation, such as having a tax levy, IRS wage garnishment, or tax debt, your interest may be better served by employing the services of a competent CPA, H& R BLOCK, etc. .Val  .    .

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   1. 70

      Valeneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your suggestions!

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