Written by Ross Yednock, Program Director of MEIC
Are you still waiting to file your 2016 federal and state taxes? There is less than a month before they are due on Tuesday, April 18 (NOT the usual 15th). Make the call today to 2-1-1 or visit MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org to find a location near you where you can have your taxes prepared and filed by an IRS-certified volunteer.
Why use a free site?
First of all, you pay absolutely nothing! They are prepared and e-filed, all at no cost to you. What’s better than that?
Next, free tax sites are one of the best ways to ensure your taxes are prepared by a qualified and trained person. Michigan is one of the many states that has no requirements or regulations for paid tax preparers. That means that paid preparers in Michigan are not required to pass any exam, take any classes or prove their competency in any way at all. However, ALL volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and AARP Tax Aide sites are required to pass an IRS certification test that ensures they are up-to-date in their understanding of the tax law and know how best to ensure you receive every tax credit you deserve.
Perhaps most importantly, every return that is prepared and filed at an IRS-sponsored free site is double-checked for accuracy and all of your personal and sensitive information is protected, secured and never used to sell you unnecessary services that eat away at your tax refund.
With free tax sites like those found at MichiganFreeTaxHelp.org, or by dialing 2-1-1, you can be assured that you are being taken care of by some of the best trained, and prepared, volunteer tax preparers that money cannot buy… because it’s free. Get it?
So don’t wait to get help… and DO pass this information along to others who may need help. While it may not always be the case in other walks of life, when it comes to tax preparation, sometimes the best things are free!
If you have a topic or idea that you think could make a great CEDAM blog post, please contact Brian McGrain at mcgrain@cedamichigan.org.