Free Tax Preparation Help Available Through April 11

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
January 18, 2019
Posted in: Announcements

(Photo by David Reber via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)

Now through April 11, Mon Valley residents may be eligible to get their federal, state and local tax returns filed for free under a program being offered again this year by the Human Services Center Corp. and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Stephanie Eson, a spokeswoman for the Turtle Creek-based HSCC, said the preparers are certified by the IRS, and there are no hidden fees or charges, and taxpayers who are eligible for refunds will get to keep those refunds.

Participants may qualify if their total income in 2018 was up to $30,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a household, Eson said. Appointments are required and can be made calling 2-1-1.

Upcoming local tax clinics include:

Turtle Creek: Human Services Center Corp., 413 Penn Ave.
9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
Jan. 22 to April 11

Homestead: Mon Valley Initiative, 305 East Eighth Ave.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 1, March 1 and April 5

No walk-ins are accepted, Eson said.

Participants should bring:

Photo identification, their Social Security card or taxpayer ID number for themselves, their spouse (if any) and anyone else who will be claimed on their return
Birthdates for every person on the return
Form W-2s for any jobs held in 2018
Form 1099s for any other income, including from unemployment, Social Security, pensions, interest or dividends
Form 1095-A, B, or C with health insurance information, if any
Health insurance exemption certificate, if they received one
A list of anyone who had health insurance for 2018, and for which months they were covered
Record of tuition payments (1098-T), student loan interest paid (1098-E), plus receipts for postsecondary materials and books
A list of childcare expenses (if any) and the tax ID number of the childcare providers
Mortgage interest statement and property tax receipts if they own a home
Local tax forms or any tax booklets received in the mail
Any document that says “This is important for your taxes”
A copy of last year’s tax return (not necessary, but helpful)
A 2018 pay stub from each job if available (not required)

If married filing jointly, spouses must also attend the appointment.

If the taxpayer is eligible for a refund, tax preparers can help taxpayers receive direct deposit, if they have a checking account, or help them obtain a PNC debit card.

Originally published January 18, 2019.

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