Are you dreading this year’s tax season? St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on McFarlane Road makes it easy – and free – to file a return for households that earned $67,000 or less last year. The free tax preparation service begins on January 30 with appointments available on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through April 12. Last year, the program’s volunteers – IRS trained and certified – filed 250 tax returns. “We take taxpayers from anywhere; no need to be a Grove resident,” says Julie Moxley, who helps to coordinate the program. “This will be our 15th tax season and we save our taxpayers tax prep fees as well as other expensive services,” she added via email. Tax returns are filed electronically and refunds are usually received within three weeks. To sign up for the service, make an appointment here, or call (786) 258-8588. Once you do, you’ll need to review this list (courtesy of St. Stephen’s) and gather the documents that apply to you:
- W2
- Social Security statement
- 1099-R for retirement income
- 1099-NEC for self-employment or gig economy work
- 1099-INT or 1099-DIV for interest or dividend income
- 1095-A if you had Marketplace health insurance (Obamacare or Affordable Care Act)
- Identity Protection PIN if you’ve been the victim of identity theft regarding your tax return
- 1098 for mortgage interest or student loan interest your paid
- Amounts paid to daycare
- Photo ID for all taxpayers
- Social Security Card or ITIN letter (not just the number) for everyone on return
- Bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit (fastest return)
- Last year’s return is helpful, but not necessary
