DENVER – This year, Tax Day is April 17. That gives you just over a month to get your taxes done if you haven’t filed them already.
To help out, volunteers from Tax Help Colorado will be taking calls in the Denver7 Call Center until 8 p.m. Monday, answering questions on everything from deductions and tax credits to where you can sit down with a volunteer in person and work on your taxes. The number to call is 303-777-7492.
The Denver7/Tax Help Colorado call center will be operating until 8pm. Call 303-777-7492 if you have any questions.
You can find free tax helps by calling 211 or visiting TaxHelpCO.org
Some of the biggest questions tax payers have during tax season
Do I have to file my taxes?
- Even if you fall below the income threshold for filing taxes, with refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, it may benefit you to file – because these credits give you cash back.
I don’t have the money to pay someone to do them for me, what are my options?
- You don’t have to pay to get your taxes done; if you make below $54,000, you can get help filing your taxes for free from an IRS-certified tax preparer at a free tax site. We have compiled a list of free tax return help across Colorado for your convenience.
- Tax preparers at free tax sites can help ensure you are taking advantage of valuable tax credits and you can avoid paying $250 or more if you go to a paid preparer.
- File online for free at MyFreeTaxes.com. This is a do it yourself software for people making $66,000 or less. There’s a chat feature to help you through the process.
When can I expect to receive my refund?
- The best way to receive your refund quickly is by signing up to receive it through direct deposit. If direct deposit is selected, taxpayers can expect to see their federal refund in about 2-3 weeks. If you request to receive a check in the mail, that will take closer to 4-6 weeks.
Are there things I should be on the look for during tax season so someone doesn’t take advantage of me?
- Tax time is a prime time for scammers. There are a number of ways people are scheming to steal people’s identity or their tax refund. As a general rule, never give out any personal information, like your social security number of bank account number over the phone or by email. The best way to learn about tax scams is by visiting the IRS website at IRS.gov.
- Filers also need to beware of commercial tax preparers offering refund anticipation loans – although these are now more closely regulated in Colorado, there are still business that offer them. These refund anticipation loans or checks, typically charge the taxpayer a fee or interest that is deducted from the amount from the refund.
Tax Help Colorado is a partnership between The Piton Foundation and the Colorado Community College System. The program utilizes community college and high school students who take an accredited course on income tax preparation then operate free tax sites for college credit. Tax Help Colorado offers free tax preparation assistance to individuals who earn less than about $54,000 a year, helping to ease the burden of commercial tax preparation costs for low-wage earners. The program was launched in 2007 to help connect even more Colorado families to valuable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit.
The Piton Foundation has been operating the Tax Credits for Working Families Public Information Campaign for 25 years with the goal of increasing the financial stability of low-income families in Colorado. The campaign’s objective is to raise awareness about valuable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit. The EITC is a refundable federal tax credit for low and moderate income working people. It encourages and rewards work as well as offsets federal payroll and income taxes. The EITC has a positive impact on both children and their families. The EITC improves infant and maternal health, increases school performance, leads to greater college enrollment and increases work and earnings. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the EITC and Child Tax Credit encourages large numbers of single parents to leave welfare for work and helps offset the cost of raising children. It is considered one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in the country and has broad, bipartisan support.
