Stand By Me offers free tax filing services to Delawareans through April
Tax filers in Delaware can save $200 in tax preparation fees by using MyFreeTaxesDE.com, an online filing platform available free of charge through Stand By Me.
For the fourth year in a row, individuals and families with household incomes of $62,000 or less in 2015 can take advantage of free tax preparation services. Stand By Me will provide the MyFreeTaxes free tax-preparation software, which includes a free hotline staffed by IRS-certified income tax preparers to help qualified taxpayers file their returns. Stand By Me is a financial empowerment program that is a joint project of the State of Delaware and United Way of Delaware.
“Our goal has always been to assist low- to moderate-income taxpayers file their taxes without paying costly tax preparation fees,” said Mary Dupont, director of the Delaware Financial Empowerment Office in the Department of Health and Social Services. The program also helps Delawarean file their taxes accurately so they receive all the refund due to them and don't pay more taxes than they should.
Offering free English and Spanish tax support, MyFreeTaxes provides qualifying filers access to tax coaches and to self-file for free using a simple step-by-step process that includes free telephone, email and online chat support.
The tax preparation program, powered by H&R Block, is safe, free and easy to use. According to MyFreeTaxes.com, more than 200,000 tax returns were filed on MyFreeTaxes.com in 2015, a 2,400 percent increase since the platform launched in 2009. Nationally, the program is funded by the Walmart Foundation, supported by United Way and backed by 1,000 partners, including the IRS, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and state and local government agencies.
“Helping people access free tax preparation and filing assistance is a valuable service that allows families to potentially save a lot of money and time,” said Michelle Taylor, president and CEO of United Way of Delaware.
Before filing, MyFreeTaxes recommends that taxpayers get organized by gathering all documents that will be needed - forms such as W-2s, 1099s, bank account numbers and mortgage/income/interest statements. Then assemble the documents that are tax deductible, such as childcare expenses, business expenses and charitable donations. Speaking with a tax preparer via the hot line can help find other deductible expenses the taxpayer may qualify for.
The program will run through April. For more information, go to myfreetaxesde.com.
