Now Is The Time To File Your Taxes!

VITA – Free tax preparation is available for individuals with low to moderate income at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the state and March is an excellent time to visit a VITA site. 

During March, most people who wanted to file early have already filed and the people who wait until the last couple weeks of the tax filing season have not started.  Therefore, take advantage of this time of the year to have your taxes prepared at a VITA site with minimal wait.   

There are over 200 VITA sites staffed by trained volunteers throughout Wisconsin.  Many of the sites offer electronic filing, which allows taxpayers to receive their refunds in as soon as three to five business days.

If filing a joint return, both spouses must be present.

Items to bring to the VITA site:

·         Social security cards for you, your spouse and dependents

·         Birth dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return

·         Wage and earning statement(s) Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers

·         Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

·         Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit

·         Other relevant information about income and expenses

·         Payments for day care and provider’s identifying number

– more –

Those claiming Wisconsin’s Homestead Credit should bring:

·         A rent certificate and/or a copy of their 2006 property tax bill

·         A record of any Wisconsin Works (W2) payments received in 2006.

For more information on VITA and to locate a site:

·         http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/pcs/vita.html

·         1-888-227-7669 (staffed 24 hours a day by AARP) or

·         1-800-829-1040 (sponsored by the IRS)

Electronic Filing

If you are planning on preparing your own tax return, you are encouraged to file electronically.  Visit www.irs.gov and click on Free File.  Free e-filing of your federal return is available if your adjusted gross income is $52,000 or less.  You may also file your State return for a small fee.   Free State e-filing is available at www.wisconsin.gov.  Click on the FreeFile logo to file your State tax return.  Tax returns that are electronically filed have fewer errors and result in a faster refund for you.

Forms – For a variety of reasons, you may need to file your tax return using a paper form.  If you need to obtain a State tax form to file your taxes, many libraries have a supply of tax booklets for your convenience.  Another convenient way to obtain forms is to visit the Department of Revenue website at www.revenue.wi.gov  and use the on-line forms ordering system.   You may also call (608) 266-1961 to order forms.