See If You Qualify for Free File Tax Software

If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $57,000 or less, you may qualify to use a brand name tax software to prepare and e-file your taxes for FREE.

Answer a few questions on IRS.gov to help you determine your eligibility to use Free File tax software. http://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/wizard.jsp?ck

If your AGI is more than $57,000, you can still use Free File fillable forms for your federal tax return.

Tax Time -- remember the EITC

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC, or EIC as it’s sometimes known) puts money back into the pockets of qualifying low- and moderate-income working taxpayers when they file their tax returns. Higher income limits and credits this year mean more filers will qualify for the EITC, and those who do qualify will get a bigger check.

Consumer Action’s brochure Get Credit for Your Hard Work provides the EITC information your clients need, including income limits, eligibility criteria and how to file. Updated for the 2012 tax year, this resource is available free online or as a printable PDF download in English, Spanish and Chinese.

The IRS is also making it easier for qualifying taxpayers to get help preparing their returns this year. For example, taxpayers who make $57,000 or less can choose from 15 free, brand-name tax preparation software packages offered through the IRS Free File program.

Free Tax Return Preparation -- See If You Qualify

Do you need help preparing your tax return? Learn about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

VITA Program: If you make $51,000 or less, IRS-certified volunteers can inform you ab...out tax credits for which you may qualify, and prepare a basic tax return with electronic filing.

TCE Program: If you are 60 years of age or older, you may qualify for free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers who specialize in issues that pertain to seniors.

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

Get Help Paying Your Home Heating Bills this Winter

If you can't afford to pay your winter heating bill, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help with:
• Home energy bills
• Energy crisis
• Weatherization and energy-related home repairs
Assistance is available to low-income families who spend a large portion of income on home heating and cooling.

Contact your state or Indian tribe or tribal organization agency for eligibility requirements and to apply. Wyoming information is at http://www.liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Wyoming.htm#state

For help applying, you can also call 1.866.NRG.NEAR (674.6327).

Time Change Sunday

Sunday, November 4 marks the end of daylight saving time (DST), so remember to turn your clocks back one hour, starting at 2:00 AM on November 4.

Beware of Phony IRS Websites

Beware of Phony IRS Websites
The IRS is warning the public about a new taxscam that uses a website that mimics the IRS e-Services online registration page. The real IRS e-Services page offers Web-based products for tax preparers and payers—not the general public. The phony Web page looks almost identical to the real one.

The official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Some of the phony websites end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. If you find a suspicious website that claims to be the IRS, send it to phishing@irs.gov; put "Suspicious website" in the subject line.

September is National Preparedness Month

Have you taken steps to prepare for an emergency?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), three elements of good preparation are:

• Being Informed -- Learn about the potential emergencies that can happen where you live and know the appropriate ways to respond to them.
• Making a Plan -- Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan what you would do in different situations. How would you get to a safe place? How would you contact one another and get back together?
• Building a Kit -- Find a list of suggested items to include in an emergency supply kit.