Yo Philly! Here’s how to get free help on your 2020 taxes.
There are numerous ways to file taxes for free, and get business help as well.
This tax season promises to be crazy because of all the late changes embedded in the recently passed stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan. To file for free, Philadelphians can get plenty of help.
Community Legal Services is campaigning for Philadelphians to file their taxes in 2020 — even if they normally do not.
“We believe getting people into the IRS tax system is the best way to ensure they get any missing stimulus money, as well as makes it more likely they will get future payments automatically,” said Jennifer Burdick, associate attorney at Community Legal Services in center city.
The Campaign for Working Families provide free tax preparation for individuals throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey earning less than $55,000 per year.
To make an appointment and drop off your documents, visit their website: https://cwfphilly.org. Also, you can call (215) 454-6483 or email: contact@cwfphilly.org.
If you make less than $72,000 a year, you can file your taxes for free online using the IRS free filer tool: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
Free tax help is available locally. Use this link to find a free tax site near you: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.
If you live in Philadelphia or the surrounding area, you may be eligible for free tax services from Temple University and the Campaign for Working Families (https://cwfphilly.org).
For the 14th-consecutive year, Temple will again offer its free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program, which is for those with low-to-moderate incomes, is open to any family, individual or student who makes less than $56,844 annually.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s program will be offered virtually. Participants who do not have internet access can mail the necessary documents to VITA program administrators for preparation.
“Now, more than ever, this program is of the utmost importance,” says Steve Balsam, a professor of accounting and the coordinator of Temple’s VITA program.
There are also two ways for those without internet access to participate. The first option is to mail VITA copies of the documents listed here to P.O. Box 1031, Springhouse, Pa., 19477. VITA will contact you to confirm receipt of the documents. If a participant does not hear from them after one week has passed, call 215-326-9519 or email vita@temple.edu.
The second option uses the services of VITA affiliate the Community Development Corporation of Willow Grove, which allows clients to drop-off documents. They must include an intake form (IRS form 13614-C). They will accept drop-offs at the following locations on the following days and times:
Community Development Corporation, 210 Cedar Avenue, Willow Grove, Pa.
Tuesdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Community Development Corporation, 1840 County Line Road, Suite 212, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Mondays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you are aged 50 or over, use this AARP tool to find free tax help near you: https://secure.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action. The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants also has a CPA locator service at https://www.picpa.org/consumers/cpa-locator.
Do you own your own business? Then there’s free help for you too.
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Business Resource and Innovation Center hosts a virtual “Ask an Accountant: Office Hours with an Accountant” on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
The Business Center in Germantown is helping small businesses apply for government emergency loan and grant programs — such as PPP, EIDL and other COVID-19 relief funds — free of charge. Also if your business has been denied in past rounds, The Business Center’s executive director Pamela Rich-Wheeler encourages you to apply again, particularly if you are a restaurant owner, hotel or bed-and-breakfast owner and operator, or run a shuttered venue.
The Center’s website is: www.thebizctr.com. Prior sessions were recorded and are available online: https://youtu.be/VNyTTbmCS7E. Or you can email the Center at education@thebizctr.com.
On April 8, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Business Center hosts a workshop on “Preparing to Meet the Preparer”. With tax season in full swing, the workshop focuses on the adjustments of qualifying for COVID -19 relief funds and grants, assist small businesses in getting their taxes in order and presenting the right paperwork for funding and financial support.
This workshop will be presented by tax specialist Ron Williford and feature business owner David Simms of Eatible Delights.