News - Get free help with your taxes - Get free help with your taxes

    The IRS recognizes that many area taxpayers may be facing financial hardships and need extra help this filing season. The IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, downtown at 250 Marquette Ave., offers free tax preparation for people who earn $42,000 or less and those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The staff can help all taxpayers by answering tax law questions, making account adjustments, accepting payments, resolving tax issues, providing tax forms, helping set up tax payments for those unable to pay their tax bill, and sharing information about e-file, which generally speeds refunds to taxpayers within 10 days when combined with direct deposit. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Call 651-312-8082 for appointment.

    AccountAbility Minnesota also offers free tax help for individuals with annual income of $30,000 or less; families at $45,000 or less; and self-employed taxpayers making $50,000 per year or less. They have 14 walk-in tax sites around the Twin Cities. In addition, AccountAbility Minnesota's Express Refund Loan & Savings Program helps taxpayers get their refunds quickly through direct deposit into a free savings account or through a low-fee express refund loan. For a list of tax sites and operating hours, visit www.accountabilitymn.org or call 651-287-0187, ext. 1000.