While April 15th may seem a long way away, plenty of folks are gearing up to file their annual returns. My office can help!
The three primary state tax forms are the PA-40 Income Tax Booklet, the Fast File Booklet and the payment voucher letter. All mailed state tax forms should arrive in taxpayers’ mailboxes by early February. The Revenue Department drastically reduced the number of forms it prints and mails this tax season to reflect taxpayer filing preferences and reduce costs. If you didn’t get your mailing, visit or call the office. My office can provide you with any federal or state tax forms and instructions that you may need. This includes the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, PA-40 and all of the related schedules. Do you need a Property Tax & Rent Rebate Application (PA-1000)? The staff stands ready to provide you with the booklet and can also assist in completing the application and submit it directly to the Department of Revenue for you.
Pennsylvania is ready for its taxpayers to file their annual returns and is again offering electronic returns for the 2009 tax year. Last year, 3.5 million taxpayers, or 58 % of all taxpayers, filed state income tax returns electronically. Electronic filing is the most cost-effective filing method, saving the state about $3.49 per return. Electronic filing offers advantages to taxpayers not available to those filing by paper, such as error-reducing automatic calculators, instant confirmation of successful filing, faster refund processing and direct deposit options. The department offers two, free electronic tax filing options: TeleFile (1-888-4PAFILE) and pa.direct.file, available through www.revenue.state.pa.us.
Have you looked at the IRS Free File program? The program offers 98 million Americans a fast, free and safe way to do their federal taxes online. All taxpayers making less than $57,000 can visit www.IRS.gov and use the industry’s top tax preparation software for free. Users get the step-by-step help they need to prepare, complete and file federal tax returns online - at no cost. The program is made possible through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance - a group of industry-leading tax software providers. Since 2003, the Free File program has delivered free tax services to more than 25 million people. Not only is the program completely free and secure, but taxpayers who use Free File with direct deposit may receive refunds in as little 10 days. Free File is a vital service for the American taxpayer.
For the third year, I am also again partnering with Southwestern PA Legal Services to offer you access to I-CAN! E-file, a FREE online service that allows you to prepare and e-file your federal and state returns. Individuals can use I-CAN! E-File unless they (or their spouse, if filing jointly) are in the military, are a church employee, are a non-resident alien, sold real estate in 2009, or they or their employer have a non-US address.
Finally, the Parental Stress Center (PSC) and Money In Your Pocket Campaign (MIYPC) is sponsoring free tax preparation services beginning January 19th through April 15th, 2010. Federal, State and Local Income Tax returns are prepared for FREE for families that earned $40,000 or less in 2009 and individuals who earned $20,000 or less in 2009. The program is open Tuesday through Friday from 2-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-4 p.m., by appointment only. For appointments, call 412-361-4800.
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