Monday, March 9, 2020
MyFreeTaxes.com users can file simple state, federal taxes for free in under one hour
With the end of tax season fast approaching, there’s good news for area residents who still haven’t filed. MyFreeTaxes.com allows most filers to complete their taxes in under one hour, according to United Way of Northern New Jersey.
MyFreeTaxes.com is a safe and easy way for individuals and families to file their simple returns for free. This year’s filing deadline is April 15th.
For the past 11 years, United Ways across the country have partnered with H&R Block to provide free online tax filing services for federal and state taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since that time, this partnership has helped more than a million people file their returns, bringing nearly $2 billion in refunds back to local communities.
“Tax season is a source of confusion and stress for most Americans,” United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO Kiran Handa Gaudioso said. “Many are worried they’ll make a mistake, won’t get their full refund or will pay too much. With MyFreeTaxes.com, filers have the support of a proven software provider in H&R Block.”
MyFreeTaxes.com users get access to H&R Block’s online tax filing product, which helps filers navigate their return so they get every dollar they deserve. Key features of the online tool include:
Ability to upload image of your W-2, allowing MyFreeTaxes.com to automatically fill in your information;
Screening for credit and deduction eligibility such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, to ensure filers receive their maximum tax refund;
24/7 tax help within the software from a virtual assistant; and
Refund Reveal shows filers how and why their refund amount is changing in real time.
Taxpayers can enter their data through MyFreeTaxes.com, which links to a secure H&R Block website, making it easy to complete their taxes from home, at work or on mobile devices.
MyFreeTaxes.com users can file simple federal and up to three simple state returns for free. Simple tax situations covered for free include: W-2 income; limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV; student education expenses, credits or student loan interest; unemployment income; claiming the standard deduction; Earned Income Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; and child and dependent care expenses.
New this year, MyFreeTaxes.com no longer provides a free return to filers who are self-employed. These filers will need to report all of their income and expenses on a Schedule C form, which is not included in the MyFreeTaxes software. Self-employed filers will pay $24.99 for a federal return and $18.50 for each state return.
Along with MyFreeTaxes.com, area residents living paycheck to paycheck also have the option of free in-person tax preparation. United Way of Northern New Jersey, in conjunction with NORWESCAP RSVP, Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Partners for Health Foundation and the IRS, offers a free tax preparation program throughout its five-county region. Residents meet one-on-one with IRS-certified volunteers who prepare and file both state and federal returns for free. Returns for self-employed individuals can also be completed for free at these in-person sites.
United Way’s free in-person tax preparation service is designed to help the 38 percent of New Jersey households identified by United Way research as living below the ALICE Threshold and unable to afford necessities. For local individuals and families who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty, the free tax preparation program allows them to receive the credits and refunds they’ve earned while saving them the average $270 fee paid tax preparers charge.
Last year more than 6,000 households filed their taxes using the free program, saving $1.6 million in tax preparation costs and getting back more than $6.6 million.
United Way in-person tax preparation sites are open in Morris, Somerset, Suburban Essex, Sussex and Warren counties. To make a required appointment at a free tax site or to find out more information about MyFreeTaxes.com, click here.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a global consumer tax services provider. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, and through H&R Block tax software products for the DIY consumer. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom.