Spend $0 on tax prep this year. Georgia has filing options that are completely free
Despite the instability surrounding the IRS right now, unfortunately, we still have to file our income tax returns. If paying to have them done is out of the question and doing them yourself seems too scary, Georgia is here to save the (tax) day.
Fortunately, there are several free options for free tax preparation.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Programs
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an IRS-sponsored initiative that provides free tax preparation services to certain eligible individuals and families. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax preparation with electronic filing.
Qualifying groups include:
Low- to moderate-income taxpayers (generally earning $67,000 or less annually)
Persons with disabilities
Elderly individuals
Limited English speaker
Local VITA locations
There are several locations available for Columbus residents:
Columbus Public Library: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Tuesday, Jan. 28, through Monday, April 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mildred L. Terry Public Library: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be available on Mondays, from Jan. 27, through Monday, April 14, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Goodwill Southern Rivers: Free tax preparation services will be offered at 2601 Cross Country Dr. Bldg B, Columbus, GA 31906.
United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley: They provide information about AARP Tax-aide services in Columbus.
Free Online Services
Plenty of online tax preparation services offer free options for filing your taxes
MyFreeTaxes is a free online tax preparation that offers multilingual, comprehensive services with no income cap.
IRS Free File: Available for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $84,000 or less in 2024. It provides access to free software from various tax-prep companies.
IRS Direct File: A new free service run by the IRS for taxpayers with simple returns in 25 participating states.
TurboTax Free Edition: Offers free federal and state tax filing for simple Form 1040 returns only, with no additional schedules except for those related to the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or student loan interest.
Come prepared
You can’t show up empty-handed to get your taxes filed. You have to have the proper documents. This is not a comprehensive list, so you should check with the IRS website for a full list.
A valid ID
Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents
W-2s and/or 1099s from all employers
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of refund
Copy of last year’s tax return
Any IRS or state tax authority notices received
Record of estimated tax payments made, if any
Receipts for charitable donations
Records of medical expenses
Childcare expenses and provider’s tax ID number
Tips for using a free preparation service
Since it is already free, you might as well maximize your benefits.
Check income eligibility requirements
Schedule appointments early, as slots fill up quickly
Take advantage of customer support options
Consider virtual options if in-person services are unavailable
If you would like to volunteer your time or expertise to help someone get their taxes done for free, reach out to one of the organizations mentioned above.
If you have a foolproof way to cope with tax season, email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM.
