Free access to online tax preparation

From: Hokie Wellness

The New River Community Action’s Volunteer Income Assistance Program (VITA) has collaborated with the IRS to offer free income tax assistance to taxpayers within a certain income range for more than a decade. While COVID-19 has limited their ability to provide in-person tax assistance this year, the group worked with the IRS to secure three unique URL addresses that provide taxpayers access to free, online tax preparation software.

The free links with criteria for use and contact information for requesting assistance include:

Intuit (TurboTax): 

Qualifying Criteria for use:  

• Adjusted Gross Income of $39,000 or less 
• No age restrictions 
• Military and EITC Included 
• Free State Return Included 
• Free live support, call 1-800-315-1481 
• https://freefile.intuit.com/?vitaSiteId=S12062120

Online Taxes: 

Qualifying Criteria for use:  

• Adjusted Gross Income between $16,000 and $72,000 
• No age restrictions 
• EITC and Military included 
• Free State return included  
• Customer Support provided via email ticket system 
• https://www.olt.com/main/vita/getstarted.asp?affiliate=VITAFREE&linkID=S12062120

TaxAct: 

Qualifying Criteria for use:  

• Adjusted Gross Income $63,000 or less 
• Age 56 or younger; any age if eligible for EITC 
• Military and EITC included 
• Free state return included
• Free live support, call (319) 373-3600 or email assistance@taxact.com 
• http://www.freetaxact.com/alltax.asp?sc=20050399&p=20&ad=S12062120

Other useful links and information from VITA include:

• Where's My Refund
• Economic Incentive Payments

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can give qualifying workers with low-to-moderate income a substantial financial boost. EITC not only reduces the amount of tax someone owes but may give them a refund even if they do not owe any taxes or are not required to file a return.

Individuals must meet certain requirements and file a federal tax return in order to receive this credit.

The EITC assistant on IRS.gov can help you determine if you qualify. The IRS reminds taxpayers that they may elect to use their 2019 earned income to figure the EITC if their 2019 earned income is more than their 2020 earned income. For details, see Publication 596, Earned Income Credit. Taxpayers also have the option of using their 2019 income to figure the Additional Child Tax Credit for 2020.

If you are an international student or scholar there may be additional restrictions on which software you are eligible to use. If you have questions please check with the Cranwell International Center.

For more information or questions, contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu.