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- Introduction{4 mentions}
- H&R Block{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Other Tax Preparation Chains{11 mentions}
- Refund-Anticipation Loans{5 mentions}
- Useful Links
- Our Sources
Spend less on your taxes
If you decide to prepare your own taxes, you can get tax forms and instructions at the IRS website.
The IRS Free File Program can be found at the IRS website.
The IRS website also has information about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
AARP has information on their website about the Tax Aide Program, a TCE partner program that offers free tax-preparation assistance to those age 60 and over with low to medium incomes.
A SmartMoney magazine article, Looking for a Tax Pro?, is definitely worth reading.
Kelly Phillips Erb, who blogs as "Tax Girl" has a column, Free Tax Help Available!, that describes several ways you can get your taxes done for free.
The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) have issued several joint reports about tax-preparation services. Particularly useful is Major Changes for Tax Refund Loans: Fewer Loans Available, But More Pricey, issued in January 2011. There is a question and answer section about prepaid cards at the end.
For information about the Treasury Department's pilot program to provide prepaid cards to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, see their press release, Treasury Launches Pilot Program of Prepaid Debit and Payroll Cards for Fast, Safe and Convenient Tax Refunds.
Tax-preparation service websites:
H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service all offer a free online package that includes preparation and e-filing of a basic federal tax return. See their websites, listed below, for more information: