Places to File Income Taxes

Locate a reputable and affordable place to file your income taxes.tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com

There are many places to file an income tax. To get the most from filing your taxes, choose a reputable and affordable company that caters to your particular and individual tax needs. Asking the right questions, including those about the experience and training of employed tax preparers, should land you at the right place for your tax needs.

National Tax Preparer Firms

National tax preparer firms, such as H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax, etc., offer tax preparation and filing services for simple and basic tax situations and are conveniently located in your state. For instance, H&R Block has over 12,000 locations in the U.S. and has prepared 500 million tax returns since 1955.

File your taxes with a certified public accountant (CPA) if you have a more difficult tax situation, such as a business with employees, assets, dividends, IRAs, etc. CPA firms practice year-round and are highly trained to handle more complex tax situations.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program initiated between the IRS and individual states. Volunteers help low income, handicapped and elderly households prepare and file basic income taxes for free. VITA locations may include public libraries, shopping malls, community centers, retirement homes, etc.You may call 800-829-1040 for a list of VITA sites and required criteria.

Companies like H&R Block, Tax Intuit, etc. offer simple step-by-step online tax preparation software if you are filing a basic tax return, such as a 1040 or 1040EZ. Depending on certain criteria, many individuals may qualify for free online income tax filing.