Blog Post  Filing Options for You This Tax Season

The Tax Year 2024 filing season will kick off in just a few days. We would like to share some resources and point you in the right direction for free or low-cost tax preparation. 

Tax Tips

Having some helpful tips handy is key to a successful tax filing. Being prepared and ready to file can prevent mistakes and delays in processing, which in turn can speed up your tax refund.

Before you file, make sure you:

• Gather all your tax records and documents, including:
  • W-2 forms
  • 1099 forms
  • records of additional income sources
  • copies of last year’s returns
  • proof of insurance
  • childcare or tuition expense information
  • proof of rent paid or mortgage interest payments and
  • receipts for charitable contributions (for itemized deductions).
• Include all your schedules, like Schedule HC, for health care information. Without all the schedules, we can’t process your return.
• Check your math. Always double- and triple-check your figures and amounts. An easy way to do that is to choose to E-file for accuracy and peace of mind.
• Include up-to-date banking information (routing and account numbers) for accurate direct deposit into your preferred account.

More in-depth tax tips and resources are available online.

DIY Filing Options

• If you consider yourself a “DIY-er,” plenty of options are available to do your own taxes this season. Many of these are free for qualifying taxpayers, like the option to file both your federal and state returns for free using Direct File, and several other free tax software choices.

If you are filing only your Massachusetts return, check out the:

• free state return filing on MassTaxConnect.

Look at all the choices to see what you qualify for and decide which is best for you.

Enlist a Tax Professional

Maybe you want to skip straight to a professional to prepare your tax returns this year. A tax professional can help you prepare your taxes and/or represent you in an appeal or collection case.

Several organizations across the Commonwealth offer free or low-cost tax preparation services:

• Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) – 4 locations in Massachusetts.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
• AARP – for qualifying seniors.

There are also helpful tax professional member organizations, such as the Massachusetts Society of Enrolled Agents and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs.

Additional Resources

• See if your family qualifies for a larger refund with the Earned Income Tax Credit or if other credits are available to you. 
• Check out the current tax filing overview page.  
• Once you file, Check the Status of Your Refund anytime.