Filing taxes for free
Paying a "pro" to prepare your taxes may be an expensive endeavor for broke college students. There are free alternatives to coughing up cash to J-H or HR-B.
1. If you made $30,000 or less (AGI) last year:
You can e-file federal and state taxes (including GA) for FREE with TurboTax Freedom Edition.
Other IRS Freefile options are available for those who made up to $56,000 last year. State filing may or may not be included.
2. You made more than $30,000 but your state doesn't collect income tax (ex. Florida):
TaxAct, HR Block and TurboTax offer free federal e-file for simple returns, regardless of income. State filing will cost additional.
3. File the old-fashioned way.
Regardless of income, you can always prepare and mail your own taxes. Don't forget to check the destination address and that you have applied a stamp. You need only the ability to read, write, add, and subtract to fill out a 1040EZ or 1040A. Georgia offers a 500EZ form to match the 1040EZ. (Other state forms here)
Update 1/16: IRS forms can now be filled out and transmistted online. No strings attached.
One last note - USE DIRECT DEPOSIT TO RECEIVE YOUR REFUND!!!! You can receive your money in less than two weeks via e-File + direct deposit, and you don't have to drive to the bank. If you don't know your routing number, you can find it in your checkbook, or by calling your bank. Please for the love of all that is cute and fluffy do not go to HR-B and get a *&^&%^ing "refund anticipation loan", when you can get your money almost as quickly at NO COST.
That is all.
1. If you made $30,000 or less (AGI) last year:
You can e-file federal and state taxes (including GA) for FREE with TurboTax Freedom Edition.
Other IRS Freefile options are available for those who made up to $56,000 last year. State filing may or may not be included.
2. You made more than $30,000 but your state doesn't collect income tax (ex. Florida):
TaxAct, HR Block and TurboTax offer free federal e-file for simple returns, regardless of income. State filing will cost additional.
3. File the old-fashioned way.
Regardless of income, you can always prepare and mail your own taxes. Don't forget to check the destination address and that you have applied a stamp. You need only the ability to read, write, add, and subtract to fill out a 1040EZ or 1040A. Georgia offers a 500EZ form to match the 1040EZ. (Other state forms here)
Update 1/16: IRS forms can now be filled out and transmistted online. No strings attached.
One last note - USE DIRECT DEPOSIT TO RECEIVE YOUR REFUND!!!! You can receive your money in less than two weeks via e-File + direct deposit, and you don't have to drive to the bank. If you don't know your routing number, you can find it in your checkbook, or by calling your bank. Please for the love of all that is cute and fluffy do not go to HR-B and get a *&^&%^ing "refund anticipation loan", when you can get your money almost as quickly at NO COST.
That is all.